TINTON FALLS – With a roster consisting of nine freshmen, it is a season of transition for the Ranney field hockey team.
“We are a very young team this season,” said Ranney head coach Eileen McEnery, who is her 17th year leading the program. “Nine out of my 21 players are freshmen. It’s a brand new dynamic, they are all trying to learn each other’s habits and moves.”
Among the key returners this season for the Panthers are senior defender and captain Sofia Wahba, senior forward and captain Jenna Banks, junior back Zah'Kyiah Pennington, and junior midfielder/forward and captain Claire Falletta, who is a three-year varsity player and scored five goals as a freshman in 2016.
With so many young players on the varsity level, McEnery discussed what she looks for in players when deciding who makes the final roster.
“I would say it’s pretty much what every coach looks for, the unteachable type characteristics,” McEnery said. “We want girls who are aggressive and willing to sacrifice their body to win the ball. Just girls who have that unspoken drive and passion out there. Whether they have the strongest skill or the weakest skill, if they have that, that’s what makes them a good player.”
Ranney competes in B Central, which now includes Henry Hudson, St. Rose, Keyport, Mater Dei Prep, and Trinity Hall. In years past, there was one of the shore’s top teams in the division, but realignment based on school size has made things a little bit easier this season, and McEnery feels that is best for the teams in the division.
“To be honest, it is a little more pleasant this year with Shore Regional not being in there,” McEnery said. “I think it’s best for the skill level of all the teams here that are pretty even talent-wise. I think St. Rose and Henry Hudson have stood out this year with the change in the lineup, but I’m really happy Trinity Hall joined our division. I think in about two or three years, if Mater Dei continues their program and we continue to build on our young program, B Central might be a pretty good division.”
Through six games, Ranney has only scored two goals. Banks scored on Sept. 28 in Ranney’s 1-0 road victory over Trinity Hall and freshman Madison Mazza scored in their first game of the season, a 3-1 loss to Keyport on Sept. 14. But it is the play of her freshmen, such as Mazza, that really has McEnery excited for what is to come for her program.
“The last two games I put a freshman (Mazza) in my center-mid position, which is normally your most experienced, skilled, aggressive, and probably oldest player on the team,” McEnery said. “Right now, I have a novice player in there. But she has that unteachable quality about her and it has made a difference. It’s boosted the confidence in our play and we won our first game (against Trinity Hall). We came close against Mater Dei. We made one mistake which they capitalized on, but I think we outplayed Mater Dei. I might not get the results this year that I am personally looking for, but next year and the year after, we are definitely going to be a threat.”
How excited is McEnery for the future of her program?
“So excited,” she said with a big smile.
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