Lehighton has a new coach, while Northern Lehigh, Northwestern and Palmerton are all trying to build on success from a year ago when field hockey season opens on Friday.

Pleasant Valley is the other area school that has a field hockey team, but repeated attempts by the Times News to get information for the preview failed.LEHIGHTONRETURNING HOME ...Corrine McConville, a huge part of Lehighton's successful field hockey past, takes over as head coach in hopes of laying the foundation for a successful field hockey future. McConville was a member of the undefeated 2009 State Championship team at Lehighton and went on to earn a scholarship and play four years at Division 1 Albany.THEY'RE BACK ...The Indians only have three seniors on the squad in Michelle Bozilesky, Maura Phelan and Lauren Marks - who was last year's Times News Field Hockey Player of the Year. Bozilesky will once again be the Indians' goalie. But Phelan, who played at right inner, and Marks, who led the Indians with 22 goals last season from the center forward position, could see position changes as McConville experiments to find the best possible lineup.THIS LITTLE INDIAN... Olivia Frendt, MacKenzie Hoats and Alexandra Fritzinger all experienced playing time last season and are expected to contribute even more during their junior year this season. The Indians also look to their sophomore class - including Karissa Hough, who played every minute of every game last season, and Ashley Wojcon - to be key contributors.DIFFERENT GAME PLAN... The majority of the Lehighton roster will be comprised of sophomores and freshmen as the team has just three seniors and three juniors. "We don't have a lot of experience," McConville said. "Last year, we didn't substitute a lot. But, this year, I'm looking to get as many kids playing time as possible. I know it's weird to say, but I want more experience. So, we're looking to get them more experience, more playing time and really become a deeper team than we were in the past."EXPECTATIONS... Players will earn an opportunity in games if I see effort at practice," said McConville. "I will reward them. 'If I see effort, I will get you some playing time,' is what I told them."NORTHERN LEHIGHDISTRICTS AGAIN... The Bulldogs, who finished with a 10-8-1 overall record last year, qualified for the District 11 playoffs for the 10th straight season However, an overtime loss to rival Northwestern sent the Bulldogs home early. According to veteran coach Jess Frew, they are looking to keep that streak going. "The team is working hard to improve their skills, game knowledge and fitness. They have set goals to both make leagues and districts this year."PRESENCE IN THE CAGE... Annie McIntyre is looking to build on last season's success in the Bulldogs' cage and have a huge senior season. The Bulldog keeper finished with eight shutouts, 87 saves and a 76-percent save percentage last season. Senior defenders Abby Quigley and Katie Ziegler return for their final campaign as well and look to help make their classmate's job a little easier.SCORING THREATS... A trio of juniors should lead the Bulldogs offensively. Madison Posivak (eight goals, five assists), Amber Cieri (seven goals, four assists) and Olivia Romig (one goal, three assists) were key contributors last season. Sophomore Madison Amorim (three goals, two assists) will also be a force offensively.VETERAN LINEUP... Experience isn't a problem for the Bulldogs "We have a lot of returning players who have gained valuable varsity experience," said Frew. In addition to the veterans, Jada Mills, Rachel Nonnemacher, Madison Cunfer, Harlee Bachman, Rose Quigley, Haley Evans and Haile Krasenics will challenge for varsity playing time.NORTHWESTERNTAKE A HIT... Coach Lissa Opolsky's squad took a hit with the graduation of Courtney Page (who is now playing at Slippery Rock University), Grace Horn, Avery George and Camryn Beers. Page and Horn were both named second team Colonial League last year.VETERANS... Jordan Neilsen, Leighanna Lister, Danielle Schmidt, Maya Hambrick and Lucy Conrey are the top returnees for Tigers.TWICE AS NICE... Taylor Page, who was named honorable mention Colonial League last season, is back at goalie for Northwestern. The junior will be in her third season in the Tigers' cage. Opolsky has the luxury of having two talented goalkeepers, who she says both have the potential to play at the collegiate level. Alena Smargiassi, also in her junior year, will also see time in the cage.ALL SMILES... "We are very excited about the work many of the girls have put in during the off season," said Opolsky. " We are looking forward to growing as a team and working together every day. We are hoping to improve daily and get results on the field."PALMERTONHEADING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION... Palmerton ended a long District 11 playoff dryspell last season, qualifying for the first time in 27 years.BIG SHOES TO FILL... The Bombers are without last year's leading scorer in Trisha Billig, who led the team with 16 goals. The four-year starting forward has taken her skills to play at Cabrini College.LOOKING "FORWARD"... The forward position may be the key to success for the Bombers this season. Returning forwards Sayler Burke and Kailyn Kolnik are expected to lead the offensive attack. "Sayler led us in assists both her freshman and sophomore years, and was second in scoring to Billig," coach Taryn Burke said. "Kolnik is a speedy forward, who had four game-winning goals last season. We are looking for increased contribution in points this year from not just both of them, but everybody."DEFENSE WILL BE KEY... "We were young on defense last season, but the added experience we will have this year will help goalie Taylor Hirochek, who did a great job last year," said coach Burke. "We are looking to build on a successful year and get ourselves back into playoffs." LEHIGHTONRETURNING HOME ... Corrine McConville, a huge part of Lehighton's successful field hockey past, takes over as head coach in hopes of laying the foundation for a successful field hockey future. McConville was a member of the undefeated 2009 State Championship team at Lehighton and went on to earn a scholarship and play four years at Division 1 Albany.THEY'RE BACK ... The Indians only have three seniors on the squad in Michelle Bozilesky, Maura Phelan and Lauren Marks - who was last year's Times News Field Hockey Player of the Year. Bozilesky will once again be the Indians' goalie. But Phelan, who played at right inner, and Marks, who led the Indians with 22 goals last season from the center forward position, could see position changes as McConville experiments to find the best possible lineup.THIS LITTLE INDIAN ... Olivia Frendt, MacKenzie Hoats and Alexandra Fritzinger all experienced playing time last season and are expected to contribute even more during their junior year this season. The Indians also look to their sophomore class - including Karissa Hough, who played every minute of every game last season, and Ashley Wojcon - to be key contributors.DIFFERENT GAME PLAN ... The majority of the Lehighton roster will be comprised of sophomores and freshmen as the team has just three seniors and three juniors. "We don't have a lot of experience," McConville said. "Last year, we didn't substitute a lot. But, this year, I'm looking to get as many kids playing time as possible. I know it's weird to say, but I want more experience. So, we're looking to get them more experience, more playing time and really become a deeper team than we were in the past."EXPECTATIONS ... Players will earn an opportunity in games if I see effort at practice," said McConville. "I will reward them. 'If I see effort, I will get you some playing time,' is what I told them."NORTHERN LEHIGHDISTRICTS AGAIN ... The Bulldogs, who finished with a 10-8-1 overall record last year, qualified for the District 11 playoffs for the 10th straight season However, an overtime loss to rival Northwestern sent the Bulldogs home early. According to veteran coach Jess Frew, they are looking to keep that streak going. "The team is working hard to improve their skills, game knowledge and fitness. They have set goals to both make leagues and districts this year."PRESENCE IN THE CAGE ... Annie McIntyre is looking to build on last season's success in the Bulldogs' cage and have a huge senior season. The Bulldog keeper finished with eight shutouts, 87 saves and a 76-percent save percentage last season. Senior defenders Abby Quigley and Katie Ziegler return for their final campaign as well and look to help make their classmate's job a little easier.SCORING THREATS ... A trio of juniors should lead the Bulldogs offensively. Madison Posivak (eight goals, five assists), Amber Cieri (seven goals, four assists) and Olivia Romig (one goal, three assists) were key contributors last season. Sophomore Madison Amorim (three goals, two assists) will also be a force offensively.VETERAN LINEUP ... Experience isn't a problem for the Bulldogs "We have a lot of returning players who have gained valuable varsity experience," said Frew. In addition to the veterans, Jada Mills, Rachel Nonnemacher, Madison Cunfer, Harlee Bachman, Rose Quigley, Haley Evans and Haile Krasenics will challenge for varsity playing time.NORTHWESTERNTAKE A HIT ... Coach Lissa Opolsky's squad took a hit with the graduation of Courtney Page (who is now playing at Slippery Rock University), Grace Horn, Avery George and Camryn Beers. Page and Horn were both named second team Colonial League last year.VETERANS ... Jordan Neilsen, Leighanna Lister, Danielle Schmidt, Maya Hambrick and Lucy Conrey are the top returnees for Tigers.TWICE AS NICE ... Taylor Page, who was named honorable mention Colonial League last season, is back at goalie for Northwestern. The junior will be in her third season in the Tigers' cage. Opolsky has the luxury of having two talented goalkeepers, who she says both have the potential to play at the collegiate level. Alena Smargiassi, also in her junior year, will also see time in the cage.ALL SMILES ... "We are very excited about the work many of the girls have put in during the off season," said Opolsky. " We are looking forward to growing as a team and working together every day. We are hoping to improve daily and get results on the field."PALMERTONHEADING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION ... Palmerton ended a long District 11 playoff dryspell last season, qualifying for the first time in 27 years.BIG SHOES TO FILL ... The Bombers are without last year's leading scorer in Trisha Billig, who led the team with 16 goals. The four-year starting forward has taken her skills to play at Cabrini College.LOOKING "FORWARD" ... The forward position may be the key to success for the Bombers this season. Returning forwards Sayler Burke and Kailyn Kolnik are expected to lead the offensive attack. "Sayler led us in assists both her freshman and sophomore years, and was second in scoring to Billig," coach Taryn Burke said. "Kolnik is a speedy forward, who had four game-winning goals last season. We are looking for increased contribution in points this year from not just both of them, but everybody."DEFENSE WILL BE KEY ... "We were young on defense last season, but the added experience we will have this year will help goalie Taylor Hirochek, who did a great job last year," said coach Burke. "We are looking to build on a successful year and get ourselves back into playoffs."