Rangers field hockey team geared for another title run
By Ken Powers Contributing Writer

Westborough - The year has changed, and some of the names, but everything else is pretty much the same for coach Colleen Debish and the Westborough High field hockey team.

The Rangers have again overcome the loss of some key components of last year's team - which finished 12-2-4 and advanced to the semifinal round of the Central Mass. Division 1 Field Hockey Tournament. In addition, they've added in some promising newcomers with some key, returning veterans, and picked up right where they left off compiling a 3-1-1 record entering this week.

Leading the team, as with most Debish-coached teams, is a strong trio of captains who mix on-field excellence with off -field leadership. This year Westborough's tri-captains are midfielder Abby Bjork, center midfielder Sarah Becque and goalie Katherine Nagengast. All three are three-year veterans of the Rangers varsity squad.

The play of Nagengast, arguably the best goalie in Central Mass., will be a big key to how successful the Rangers are this season. Nagengast, who allowed just seven goals in 18 games last season, has picked up this year where she left off last season, turning in an 18-save performance earlier this year in a 0-0 tie with Mid- Wach B rival Quabbin.

"She plays an important role in what we want to accomplish this season," Debish said. "She may be the best goalie in Central Massachusetts and the entire state, and there are games when we're going to need her to play like that to have a chance to win. She's go- ing to need to keep us in some games, especially early in the season, so we'll have a chance to win them late."

Becque's on-field contributions have been limited so far as she recovers from chronic foot tendonitis, a ailment that has been lingering since lacrosse season last year.

"Sarah has been working hard and expects to be back in top form very soon," Debish said. "She's one of the premier players in the area. She makes everybody around her a better player."

Nagengast and Becque were Central Mass. Super Team selections following last season.

Bjork, depending on the offensive and defensive formations Debish has called, can also play forward or wing as well as in the middle of the field.

Other seniors with returning experience include midfielder Jess Danker, and backs Ashley Ertel and Alyssa Geran.

"Jess is our playmaker in the middle. She loves to pass the ball and let others take the shot, but we've got to get her to shoot more, because she has a very good shot," Debish said. "Ashley and Alyssa are good, smart players. They're very eff ective players who become much more dangerous when they play together."

Hannah Srebnik and Emily Shuffleberger, a pair of juniors who have made the jump to the varsity team after playing on the junior varsity squad a year ago, will solidify the Rangers' playing the middle of the field, while classmate Leah Sanginario provides defensive support.

Karly Murphy, Maddie Fryer and Stacie Teevens are sophomores who Debish expects to begin to make an impact on the varsity this season. Murphy, in fact, was called up to the varsity squad for about half the season last year. She will play forward, while Fryer is a midfielder and Teevens plays both the midfield and forward positions.