A spot opens in state field

District 1 Class AA field hockey teams will have an increased opportunity to make the PIAA playoffs this year.

Sheila Murphy, district liaison for field hockey, said this week that the top three finishers in Class AA (smaller schools) in the district will qualify for the state playoffs, instead of just the top two.

The number had been three qualifiers up until four years ago but was reduced to two based on the number of AA schools in the district.

"Some of the AAA schools have apparently dropped down this year," Murphy said. "There will be a consolation game to determine the third-place finisher."

Six teams from District 1 will qualify for the AAA state playoffs. That number was seven until District 12 was formed with the Philadelphia Public League schools.

With the addition of 11 Catholic League schools this year, District 12 will have 18 schools playing field hockey, most of them in Class AA.

Ready to go.

Now that she is back from a trip to Europe with her Germantown Academy teammates and has made her college choice, Rachel Magerman is ready to concentrate on the coming high school season.

The junior made an oral commitment earlier this year to play for North Carolina, the current NCAA champion. Last season, she scored 17 goals and had a school-record 18 assists as the Patriots went 17-5-2.

Although Germantown Academy won only one of three games against teams from Germany and the Netherlands on the trip abroad, Magerman managed to score three goals and add a couple of assists.

The team also visited Belgium.

"It was just a great time to be together," said Magerman, a member of the U.S. under-19 team, of her trip with the Patriots. "We spent 10 days there."

The GA players were responsible for paying their way on the trip.

"My parents helped fund my trip, but I'm trying to do some chores around the house to make up for it," she said with big grin. "My mom Tonja coached our third team last fall, so she's been a big help to me" in field hockey.

Games to watch.

Although it's early in the field hockey season, a few games in the next few days could go a long way in determining just how good some teams are going to be.

Host Perkiomen Valley, trying to stay on top of the Pioneer Athletic Conference, should have its hands full with league newcomer Methacton tomorrow. The Vikings are ranked No. 5 by The Inquirer, while Methacton is No. 9.

Another top game tomorrow features No. 8 Souderton at No. 10 Hatboro-Horsham in a Suburban One League Continental Conference matchup.

In a big Athletic Association of Catholic Academies matchup tomorrow, No. 4 Merion Mercy visits No. 3 Villa Maria Academy.

Archbishop Carroll, which joined the PIAA this year along with the rest of the Catholic League, has big games Saturday and Monday with Notre Dame Academy and Germantown Academy, respectively.

Both Notre Dame Academy and Germantown Academy are are ranked in The Inquirer's top 10.

The Patriots are the three-time defending Catholic League champs.

Team Record

Records through Tuesday.

1. Strath Haven 0-0

The Panthers return seven field players from last season, when they went 18-2 and reached the District 1 Class AAA playoffs.

2. Neshaminy 1-0-1

Chelsea Rota, with 35 goals in two seasons, and workhorse right wing Maureen Schneider should put the Redskins in the playoff picture.

3. Villa Maria Academy 1-1

The Hurricanes' loss was a 4-1 game to nationally ranked Wyoming Seminary. Look for them in the Athletic Association of Catholic Academies race.

4. Merion Mercy 2-0

Merion appears ready to battle Villa Maria and Mount St. Joseph for the AACA title. It is led by senior all-state selection Allison Moran.

5. Perkiomen Valley 0-0

The Vikings could continue atop the Pioneer Athletic Conference behind midfielder Andrea Biegalski, who is headed to Ohio University.

6. Notre Dame Academy 2-0

The Irish could be the sleeper of the season. Although they are a young team, they have quite a bit of experience.

7. Germantown Academy 0-0

Junior Rachel Magerman, a member of the U.S. under-19 team, will lead the Patriots in their pursuit of the Inter-Academic League crown.

8. Souderton 1-0

Are the Indians another sleeper? Veteran coach Mary Ann Harris always seems to get the best out of the Big Red's talent.

9. Methacton 0-0

Nicole Dudek Bauer, a former Souderton standout, will lead the Warriors in their first year in the Pioneer Athletic Conference.

10. Hatboro-Horsham 0-0-1

The Hatters will try to win for coach Marie Schmucker. She is on a leave of absence while being treated for breast cancer. Her assistant, Krista Greene, takes over.

Under consideration (listed alphabetically):

Archbishop Carroll, Cardinal O'Hara, Council Rock North, Episcopal Academy, Haverford High, Mount St. Joseph, Radnor.

- Don Beideman