CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The 2014 field hockey season was a big one in Northeast Ohio, as Shaker Heights won its first state title since 1991. The Raiders were one of many teams with talented players in the area.
See below for the 2014 cleveland.com field hockey coach of the year, all-stars and honorable mentions:
Anderson
COACH OF THE YEAR
HILARY ANDERSON
Notable: In her sixth year, Anderson led the Raiders to their first state title since 1991, and posted a 9-12 record (Shaker Heights won 20 of its 21 games but had to forfeit 11 games due to an OHSAA violation). The team needed to defeat two-time defending champion Columbus Academy to do so. Anderson explains how much the season meant to her: "It is definitely a surreal feeling, You always play it in your mind how everything is going to play out if you win the game. Pretty much what I imagined was the feeling I had when we had won. We did it. We accomplished our goal. It was a wonderful feeling."
ALL-STARS
Anderson
KASIDY ANDERSON
Senior
Forward
College: Will play ice hockey for Northeastern.
Notable: It was a big year for Anderson, who won a state title with Shaker Heights and led the team with 46 goals and 13 assists. She is the cleveland.com Field Hockey Player of the Year and was voted first-team All-Ohio and was second-team All-American by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association.
Barnett
CRISTEN BARNETT
Junior
Forward
College: Undecided.
Notable: It was another strong season for Barnett, who finished with 15 goals and seven assists. She was voted first team All-League and made the Maumee Valley All-Tournament Team. Only a junior, she will be counted on to make a major contribution next season for the Pioneers.
Durkin
MARY KATE DURKIN
Senior
Forward
College:
Notable: The senior's season was highlighted by a one-week stretch when she scored seven goals, which showcased her natural scoring ability for her team. Durkin was voted onto the first team All-League for her play.
Huang
JESSICA HUANG
Senior
Defender
College: Undecided.
Notable: Voted Team MVP on Hawken, Huang limited her opponent's chances out of the center back position. She helped guide Hawken to a district semifinal appearance before losing to eventual state champion Shaker Heights.
Kisthardt
JACKIE KISTHARDT
Senior
Goalie
College: Will play lacrosse for Kennesaw State.
Notable: Voted to the All-Ohio team after a stellar season, Kisthardt led her team to the district semifinal and never gave up more than one goal in a playoff game.
Meals
MACKENZIE MEALS
Senior
Defender
College:
Notable: Another Hathaway Brown senior, Meals anchored the defense and made life easier for her goaltender. She was voted first-team All-League.
Mitchell
MEAGAN MITCHELL
Sophomore
Midfield
College:
Notable: One of the more promising younger players in the area, Mitchell finished with two goals and 10 assists while playing a crucial role on the state-title winning Raiders. She was voted second-team All-League.
Morford
JESSICA MORFORD
Junior
Midfield
College: Undecided.
Notable: A crucial member of the state-title winning team, Morford helped control tempo and finished with eight goals and 11 assists. She was also voted first team All-Ohio and will be a key returning member to next year's team.
Moss
GABRIEL MOSS
Senior
Midfield
College: Undecided.
Notable: One of the experienced leaders for the Blazers, Moss finished with nine goals and four assists. She was voted first team All-League.
Smith
BRIDGET SMITH
Senior
Midfield
College: Undecided.
Notable: A representative for Magnificat on the first team All-League, Smith was both a veteran leader and playmaker. She helped her team earn the No. 3 seed in the district tournament.
Whitmyer
RILEY WHITMYER
Senior
Goalie
College: Colby College.
Notable: The anchor in the back of the net for a young team, Whitmyer finished the season with 124 saves. She is the cleveland.com Field Hockey Goalie of the Year. Whitmyer helped her team earn the No. 2 seed in the district tournament.
HONORABLE MENTION:
Audrey Anderle, Shaker Heights; Maddie Baker, Magnificat; Eleanor Bashian, Hudson; Annemarie Bobinsky, Western Reserve Academy; Haley Brady, Shaker Heights; Maren Butler, Hathaway Brown; Kayla Cartwright, Stow; Olivia Hamilton, Shaker Heights; Alexia Jones, Hathaway Brown; Rachel Ivins, Stow; Meghan Patrick, Stow; Juliana Pollock, Shaker Heights.
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Contact high school sports reporter David Cassilo by email (dcassilo@cleveland.com) or Twitter (@dcassilo). Or log in and leave a message in the comments section below.
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