The final installment of Field Hockey Phenoms, sponsored by Athletic Republic and nominated by coaches, highlights players who made an impact for their teams throughout October. These players include ones who returned from injury, reached personal milestones and helped their teams reach new heights.
Forwards
Celia Medeiros, senior, Nerinx Hall
The Markers leading goal scorer, Medeiros scored in four of five games to end the regular season, then tallied a hat trick in Nerinx Hall’s first-round victory over Notre Dame. Medeiros, who earned first runner-up at the Miss Missouri Teen competition this year, is committed to play at Saint Louis University.
Jane Morrison, freshman, St. Joseph’s
Excelling against top competition, Morrison scored a goal against Villa Duchesne and added a goal and an assist against John Burroughs. She produced the first multi-goal game of her career against No. 8 seed Summit and has become a vital cog in the Angels’ attack as the postseason begins.
Midfield
Emily Williams, junior, Lafayette
Returning to the field after recovering from injury, Williams looks like the same speedy, crafty, ultra-skilled player that produced 29 goals and 19 assists last season. In 13 games since her return to action, Williams has 10 goals, 11 assists and is a rushing force on defensive corners.
Lucy Morrison, junior, St. Joseph’s
A big game player much like her sister Jane, Lucy Morrison tallied a pair of assists against John Burroughs to earn her fourth, multi-assist game of the season. A steady and reliable presence in the midfield, Lucy plays an important role on offensive corners. She is committed to Lafayette College.
Hazel Stewart, senior, Principia
The Principia captain has been a guiding force for a program that returned to the water turf after a 25-year hiatus. Stewart has excelled on the scoresheet as well, tallying eight goals and five assists in the last eight games, including a hat trick against Lutheran South. She scored the game-winner in OT to beat Oakville in the first round of the playoffs, her area-tying, ninth game-winning goal of the season. She is committed to Amherst.
Defense
Carolena Jones, freshman, Ladue
A master of the defensive save, Jones produced a brilliant goal-saving play against John Burroughs and made three defensive saves against MICDS. Her eye-popping, 11 defensive saves lead the Rams in that category and her conversion of a penalty stroke against Lafayette helped Ladue clinch the Suburban Yellow Conference title.
Anna Friedrich, junior, Visitation
A center back who is relatively new to the sport, Friedrich assumed vast responsibility on the Vivettes’ defensive line and excelled. In the past 10 games, Visitation has allowed more than one goal only twice, while securing four shutouts. Friedrich became downright offensive in an October 3 meeting with St. Teresa’s, scoring twice in a 4-0 victory.
Goalie
Nadia Grice, junior, Lafayette
An acrobatic ball-stopper, Grice made 33 saves and notched two shutouts in the final five games for the Lancers. She has contributed in 15 shutouts this season (11 solo) and ranks sixth in goals against average (1.28)
Mimi Tabscott, senior, Ladue
A big-game performer, Tabscott made nine saves against Villa Duchesne and eight against John Burroughs to eclipse 400 career saves. She has participated in 11 shutouts (6 solo) and ranks fifth in goals against average (1.12).
Abby Podnar, junior, Cor Jesu
Showing improvement every game, Podnar excelled for a Cor Jesu team that relied on its defense. She made double-digit saves in a game 11 times, including 19 in a 1-1 tie against Ursuline. Her 188 saves rank fifth in the area.
Evy Przygoda, junior, Lindbergh
A confident, communicative goalie, Przygoda eclipsed 200 career saves earlier this season. She made 22 saves against Villa Duchesne, produced an 11-save shutout against Pembroke Hill and a nine-save shutout over St. Teresa’s. Przygoda ranks seventh in the area with 144 saves.
Emily Pearce, junior, Eureka
A penalty shootout master, Pearce stopped eight of 10 attempts during 1v1 sessions against Nerinx Hall and Parkway West, both ending in ties. She made 13 saves against Ursuline, nine against Westminster and became the fourth Wildcats’ goalie to eclipse 100 saves in a season.