It’s a season of growth for LB field hockey

By Walter J. O’Neill, Jr.

Long Branch High School sophomore Izabella Anechiarico has scored half of the Green Wave goals this season.

Wednesday night, October 16, the lady Green Wave of Long Branch hosted Manalapan in a non-divisional Shore Conference field hockey game. It didn’t go very well for the Wave as the Braves of Manalapan left with an 8-0 victory and improved to 7-5-1 on the season.

The loss drops Long Branch to 1-14 overall and 1-7 in the C North division of the Shore Conference. “The 2024 season has been a year of growth. Last season we graduated 12 seniors, and almost our entire forward and midfield lineup,” said Stephanie Dixon, head coach at Long Branch. Of the eight teams in the division, the Green Wave is in seventh position. Winless Keyport is in last place.

“We have 13 first-year players that range from freshman to juniors. Some of them played in middle school, but most did not. For many, this summer was the first time they had ever picked up a field hockey stick,” said Dixon. Of course, this inexperience has led Long Branch to be outscored 72-6, but there are bright spots for the future. “The team has come so far since the beginning of the season. In the early part of the season we were allowing teams to take 30-plus shots on goal. Now, our defense is allowing about 10 or less per-game.”

Jamiee Rodas, senior goalkeeper for Long Branch, has 160 saves so far this season and 342 career saves. Long Branch also has freshman who has spent some time in the cage. “Keira Emick has had a phenomenal first season with 112 saves. We are looking forward to watching her grow and fill the starting goalie spot next season after Rodas graduates,” added Dixon.

Of the six goals that the Green Wave have recorded this season, Izabella Anechiarico has half along with two assists. Freshman Victoria Barbosa has scored two goals and senior Rosi Reyes-Lopez has the other goal.

“Next season we lose many of our key defenders like, Romina Revelo, Lily Reyes-Lopez, Kayla Bolden, and Diana Peralta. But we are hopeful freshman Fernand Bran, juniors Nicole Castro-Castro and Dominique Da Silva, along with the rest of the defensive line can fill their shoes,” said Dixon. So, next season should also be a year of development and growth.

Long Branch has two regular season games left on the schedule. They host St. John Vianney on October 18, at 4:00 p.m., and travel to Manchester Township on October 21, for a 4:00 p.m. game.

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