(CONTINUED)

 

    “Our schedule is difficult,” he said. “We get calls from Connecticut to Maryland. We’re playing Shawnee from New Jersey, Good Counsel out of D.C., Milton, a two-time state champion from Georgia, and of course our Central league schedule as well as Episcopal at the Katie Samson Festival. The schedule is really challenging.”

    First-year Downingtown East coach Caitlin Barbakoff is optimistic after taking over a team that went 11-9-1 last year and fell to Boyertown in the first round of the District 1 Class AAA playoffs.
    “I am impressed with the speed, sticks skills and just pure athleticism of this team,” she said. “Our challenge is to build the team rapport and chemistry quickly. With many younger players and a new coach, there is always the challenge of establishing a style and rhythm, but I think we are well on our way to a strong season this year.”
    Barbakoff listed senior high attacker Mackenzie O’Keefe (committed to West Chester), senior low attacker Kat Sasko, junior midfielders Kelli Joran and Kristen Blye and junior high defender Marielle Ramsay as her players to watch.

PAC-10: Pottstown, Spring-Ford start strong
    Pottstown opened Thursday with a 19-3 rout of Coatesville as Kasey Mock had six goals and two assists, Devon Yocom added four goals and three assists and Maure Perrymond contributed three goals and four assists. Under the guidance of coach Andy Bachman, the Trojans should again be a force in the Pioneer Athletic Conference and vie with Boyertown for the crown.
    Spring-Ford also got off to a good start with a 13-7 victory Thursday over Springfield-Montco. Allie Kakareka, Lindsay Kupferschmidt and Ashley Wood each scored three goals for the Rams.
Central Bucks West wins over district rival
    Cathy Marston scored three goals while Ally Howell and Tori Ueland added two each to help Central Bucks West down Central Bucks South, 10-5, in a season opener. Natalie Rube led the Titans with two goals and Jess Adcock recorded 19 saves.
Episcopal grad falls to alma mater
    Taylor Trimble scored four goals March 17 to lead Episcopal to an 18-5 triumph over Germantown Friends and coach Katie Bergstrom, an Episcopal grad. Betsy Sachs scored three goals for the Tigers.