Vernon field hockey team looks for improvement

VERNON — Those teams, if any, who decide to take their games versus the Vernon High School field hockey program for granted, based soley on the Vikings’ overall record from 2015 may be making a bit of a mistake.
Check that, those teams that approach their match-up against Vernon with the aforementioned attitude could very well be making a colossal error.
The Vikings finished with a mark of 4-13-2 last season. But this is a new year, with a whole new sense of optimism and even a new head coach.
Kieran Killeen takes over at the helm this year and he’s looking forward to building a strong foundation.
Key returning student-athletes leading the charge for the Vikings this fall include Brenna Del Bagno (senior, defensive midfield), Shannon Gambuti (senior, forward), Olivia Higgins (senior, defense), Brianna White (senior, midfield) and Kaitlyn Gallaugher (senior, goal keeper).
A senior, McKenzie Alter (defense), and a freshman Carlie Van Tassel (forward) will add to the depth of the varsity roster for Vernon.
“Our team has seven seniors, four of them have been named captains but we focus on the team as a whole," Killeen said. “As the coach, I look to all seven seniors to lead the team and help me with the day to day tasks involved.
“Mckenzie did not play last year but was a varsity player her freshman and sophomore years. Van Tassel is a freshman starter and a player to watch."
The Vikings compete in the Big North Conference Freedom Division.
“Our goals are to execute the game plan we practice in games and continue to progress as a team both on and off the field," Killeen said. “We want to be competitive in every game we play and grow the Vernon field hockey program.
“We have changed divisions and so this is our first year in this division. If you look at the other teams there are a lot of quality programs we will be going up against. I would call us the ‘surprise package team’ as we are going to have a very different look on and off the field."
Vernon is scheduled to begin the regular season with a road game at Hackettstown on Friday, Sept. 9. Their first home game is scheduled for Sept. 14 versus Newton.
“I think all the teams [in the division] have great programs-Hackettstown, Newton, High Point and Lenape Valley all have great hockey programs that are going to put forward a very tough challenge," Killeen said.