Donovan Catholic field hockey continues winning stride
October 13, 2023 at 9:26 a.m.
Kaitlin Maguire has an outstanding field hockey resume as a premier goalie for Toms River North, Montclair State and the Total Dutch Field Hockey Club; not to mention as a former assistant coach at Drew University, Madison, and currently with the Phoenix Elite club team.
Now in her second year as head coach for Donovan Catholic High School, Toms River, Maguire’s mission is simple – share her knowledge to better her program.
It seems to be working.
In its first six years of existence, Donovan Catholic never had a winning record and its best win total was seven in 2019. In the three seasons since, the Griffins combined for seven victories and was 2-8-2 last year.
Donovan Catholic headed into its Oct. 12 match-up with Rumson-Fair Haven sporting a 6-5-1 record and has won the Shore Conference South B Division title with a 5-0-1 mark.
Donovan Catholic goalie Evelynn Sernotti has come up big this year with eight games of at least 10 saves or more. Courtesy photoOne reason for improvement is that conference realignment has allowed the Griffins to play opponents more equal to themselves, prompting Maguire to note, “We’re competing against teams we need to be competing against, so that has definitely been helpful.”
Another key is that players are embracing Maguire’s philosophy, which comes from decades playing and coaching the sport.
“The girls are trying to buy into the new mentality that they didn’t have prior to me,” she said. “Last year was a rebuilding, revamping year, and we’re still on that trend. Last year was my first year so I was adapting to them as players, they were adapting to me as a new coach.”
The Griffins’ progress has less to do with formations and stick skills as it does with a collective mindset.
“It’s definitely the culture,” Maguire said. “I feel like the girls were so used to going into every game thinking they were gonna lose. Just trying to switch their mentality and getting them pumped before games has definitely been a big switch. They’re meshing well together, working well together and they want to be there.”
Another factor is that certain girls are beginning to step up.
“We have a lot of key players helping to make the team better,” Maguire said.
It starts with the forward line of junior Kolby Arnold, senior Nicole Schirripa and junior Josie Rush, who leads the team with four goals. Also seeing time are seniors Julianna Mcateer and Kristin D’Aniello.
Arnold is one of the team’s most improved players and has begun to work year-round at field hockey, which is something Maguire emphasizes. She played for Phoenix Elite “and it changed her game 100 percent.” Schirripa “is a strong forward” and Rush “has hockey skills and a high hockey IQ.”
Sophomore Jade Hahn has been key to the Griffins defense this year although a concussion has shelved her for several games. Courtesy photoThe midfield features sophomores Morgan Poskay and Madison Koehler, freshman Aubree Piemonte and junior Hannah Kelly. Poskay brings speed and aggressiveness to the field, while Kelly honed her game over the summer.
Koehler and Piemonte are relative newcomers to field hockey. They are lacrosse teammates who “play very well together and balance each other out. We didn’t have anyone who stood out to play center-mid, but Aubree gets the position. She knows where she needs to be. She’s very fast and very skilled.”
Donovan suffered a tough loss in the back when sophomore Jade Hahn got a concussion last week. Her spot is being filled by junior Morgan Cashman and freshman Regan Weiss.
“She was huge for us,” Maguire said. “She’s a very smart player, has great stick skills and knows what she’s doing.”
Senior Julia Schirripa has settled in at center back “and she’s been spot on every game. That position for her is just perfect.” Freshman Kenley Bottles landed at right back “and it kind of clicked for her.”
Senior goalie Evelynn Sernotti has developed a strong connection with her coach; and the former goalie says her protege “has been huge and pivotal; very clutch for us.” Sernotti notched both her 400th and 500th saves this season and has eight games of over 10 saves.
Senior Julia Schirripa has found a home at center back for Donovan Catholic. Courtesy photoDespite a mid-season lull, Maguire is happy with the direction her program is headed.
“The girls are starting to buy into the different things I’m asking of them,” she said. “They want to play 24-7 whenever they can. They’re asking me for more clinics to send them. Everything we’re doing is going in the right direction.
“It could have gone one of two ways – they couldn’t buy in or they could,” the coach continued. “I told them they’ve gotta trust the process. We’re switching their mentality and we’re seeing good competition, so they know where the bar needs to be set; and that it needs to be raised a little higher each year.”
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Kaitlin Maguire has an outstanding field hockey resume as a premier goalie for Toms River North, Montclair State and the Total Dutch Field Hockey Club; not to mention as a former assistant coach at Drew University, Madison, and currently with the Phoenix Elite club team.
Now in her second year as head coach for Donovan Catholic High School, Toms River, Maguire’s mission is simple – share her knowledge to better her program.
It seems to be working.
In its first six years of existence, Donovan Catholic never had a winning record and its best win total was seven in 2019. In the three seasons since, the Griffins combined for seven victories and was 2-8-2 last year.
Donovan Catholic headed into its Oct. 12 match-up with Rumson-Fair Haven sporting a 6-5-1 record and has won the Shore Conference South B Division title with a 5-0-1 mark.
Donovan Catholic goalie Evelynn Sernotti has come up big this year with eight games of at least 10 saves or more. Courtesy photoOne reason for improvement is that conference realignment has allowed the Griffins to play opponents more equal to themselves, prompting Maguire to note, “We’re competing against teams we need to be competing against, so that has definitely been helpful.”
Another key is that players are embracing Maguire’s philosophy, which comes from decades playing and coaching the sport.
“The girls are trying to buy into the new mentality that they didn’t have prior to me,” she said. “Last year was a rebuilding, revamping year, and we’re still on that trend. Last year was my first year so I was adapting to them as players, they were adapting to me as a new coach.”
The Griffins’ progress has less to do with formations and stick skills as it does with a collective mindset.
“It’s definitely the culture,” Maguire said. “I feel like the girls were so used to going into every game thinking they were gonna lose. Just trying to switch their mentality and getting them pumped before games has definitely been a big switch. They’re meshing well together, working well together and they want to be there.”
Another factor is that certain girls are beginning to step up.
“We have a lot of key players helping to make the team better,” Maguire said.
It starts with the forward line of junior Kolby Arnold, senior Nicole Schirripa and junior Josie Rush, who leads the team with four goals. Also seeing time are seniors Julianna Mcateer and Kristin D’Aniello.
Arnold is one of the team’s most improved players and has begun to work year-round at field hockey, which is something Maguire emphasizes. She played for Phoenix Elite “and it changed her game 100 percent.” Schirripa “is a strong forward” and Rush “has hockey skills and a high hockey IQ.”
Sophomore Jade Hahn has been key to the Griffins defense this year although a concussion has shelved her for several games. Courtesy photoThe midfield features sophomores Morgan Poskay and Madison Koehler, freshman Aubree Piemonte and junior Hannah Kelly. Poskay brings speed and aggressiveness to the field, while Kelly honed her game over the summer.
Koehler and Piemonte are relative newcomers to field hockey. They are lacrosse teammates who “play very well together and balance each other out. We didn’t have anyone who stood out to play center-mid, but Aubree gets the position. She knows where she needs to be. She’s very fast and very skilled.”
Donovan suffered a tough loss in the back when sophomore Jade Hahn got a concussion last week. Her spot is being filled by junior Morgan Cashman and freshman Regan Weiss.
“She was huge for us,” Maguire said. “She’s a very smart player, has great stick skills and knows what she’s doing.”
Senior Julia Schirripa has settled in at center back “and she’s been spot on every game. That position for her is just perfect.” Freshman Kenley Bottles landed at right back “and it kind of clicked for her.”
Senior goalie Evelynn Sernotti has developed a strong connection with her coach; and the former goalie says her protege “has been huge and pivotal; very clutch for us.” Sernotti notched both her 400th and 500th saves this season and has eight games of over 10 saves.
Senior Julia Schirripa has found a home at center back for Donovan Catholic. Courtesy photoDespite a mid-season lull, Maguire is happy with the direction her program is headed.
“The girls are starting to buy into the different things I’m asking of them,” she said. “They want to play 24-7 whenever they can. They’re asking me for more clinics to send them. Everything we’re doing is going in the right direction.
“It could have gone one of two ways – they couldn’t buy in or they could,” the coach continued. “I told them they’ve gotta trust the process. We’re switching their mentality and we’re seeing good competition, so they know where the bar needs to be set; and that it needs to be raised a little higher each year.”