This second installment of Field Hockey Phenoms, sponsored by Athletic Republic, includes players who shined during the Lafayette Tournament, came up big during Top 10 clashes and made the difference in rivalry games.
Forwards
Annie Tilghman, junior, Ladue – A major spark in an electric Ladue offense, Tilghman scored eight goals and added five assists during a span that included the Rams’ first victory over Cor Jesu since 2009. She scored her first career hat trick against Ursuline and her 26 points is tied for fifth in the STL area.
Celia Medeiros, junior, Nerinx Hall – A true goal scorer, Medeiros has scored or assisted on more than half of the Markers goals this season. She has four multi-goal games, including a 4-goal performance in a win over Westminster, as has helped Nerinx Hall earn a 4-2-1 record to begin the season after the Markers started 0-7-1 last year.
Emma Vendt, senior, Marquette (feature photo)– The offensive engine for the Mustangs, Vendt put on a show in leading Marquette to the Lafayette Tournament title. She scored the only goal in a 1-0 semifinal victory over the host school, then potted two goals and connected during 1v1s in the championship showdown with Summit.
Midfielders
Kayla Arb, sophomore, Summit – Caught fire this week, scoring five goals and adding an assist in wins over St. Dominic, Oakville and Parkway Central. A steady presence in the midfield, Arb has contributed to four consecutive shutout victories and helped Summit begin the season 10-1-1, its best start since 2019.
Emily Williams, sophomore, Lafayette – Voted team captain as a sophomore, Williams’ relentless work in the midfield is contagious. She scored four goals during the Lafayette Tournament, including a hat trick in a 3-2 victory over Westminster to help the Lancers earn third place. Of the 16 goals Lafayette has scored this season, Williams has scored or assisted on 15 of them.
Olivia Wineinger, junior, Eureka – A meticulous shot placer, Wineinger scored four goals on four shot attempts during the Lafayette Tournament, including a hat trick in a win over Parkway West. Her dynamic presence in the midfield has helped the Wildcats be ultra-competitive in every game, with two shutout victories and three one-goal losses through their first five games.
Hadley Hockenberry, freshman, Ursuline – The connector between the defense and forwards, Hockenberry played beyond her years, calmly moving the ball side-to-side and alleviating pressure during a wicked stretch of games against five of the top six seeds from last year’s state tournament. Her four goals during the Gateway Classic helped Ursuline take second place in Pool H.
Defense
Bella Greco, senior, St. Joseph’s – The flyer on defensive corners, Greco displayed tremendous speed and awareness in thwarting penalty corner attempts against high-scoring Ladue in a thrilling 2-1 victory. She is a key reason for the Angels’ 8-0 start in which they have yielded only three goals and 24 shots on cage.
Avery Etling, sophomore, Cor Jesu – A block tackling machine, Etling has become a force in the Cor Jesu backfield as an effective communicator and defensive corner specialist. The Chargers earned 1-0 victories against St. Dominic and Lindbergh and have yielded two goals or fewer in five games.
Sophie Becker, freshman, Pembroke Hill – Considered the “rock” of the Pembroke Hill defense, Becker’s fearlessness in defending upperclassmen has made her a key contributor as a freshman. Pembroke Hill is undefeated at home, including 2-game, weekend sweeps over Edwardsville and Cor Jesu.
Goalie
Bri Miller, senior, Edwardsville – A Concordia University (WI) commit, Miller has shined in goal for the Tigers over her last four games, earning 43 saves and one stroke save while yielding just five goals. She made 18 saves against Lindbergh and earned a shared shutout in a win over Oakville.
For photo galleries from the 2025 field hockey season, visit: https://benvessa.smugmug.com/Field-Hockey/2025-Season