There’s a palpable buzz around the Hazleton Area and Crestwood field hockey programs at the start of the 2025 season.

Both teams entered the season with high expectations buoyed by a host of talented returning players and an influx of promising newcomers.

For the Lady Cougars, Bella Boyle is back for her sophomore year after proving herself as a prolific scorer in her first varsity campaign. The All-State second team pick also has several teammates returning to the fray, including Lauren Harmonosky, Meadow Pavlick, Addison Bobrowski, Lauren Lamanna and Madelyn Lamanna.

Under head coach Mary Kelly, the Lady Cougars will look to climb back to the top of the District 2 Class 3A medal podium after coming up short against Wyoming Valley West in each of the past few seasons.

At Crestwood, the Lady Comets will seek to return to the district’s Class AA throne and make another trip to the PIAA tournament with a veteran team that includes 20 contributors from last season’s 19-win squad. Seven eager freshmen also are looking to put their stamp on the tradition-rich program.

Among the key players back for coach Amanda Tredinnick’s team are Madi Geiger, Lexi Zabroski, Mackenzie Kovalski, Allie Myers, Alex Geiger, Stella Janosczyk, Ally George and Kasey Obes.

As always, several Wyoming Valley Conference and District 2 teams will be more than ready for the challenge to face Hazleton Area and Crestwood.

To prepare them for league battles and the road to potential postseason glory, both teams have ambitious non-league schedules.

The following is a capsule look at both teams:

Hazleton Area

Head coach: Mary Kelly

Assistant coaches: Tom Sokolofski, Kristin Boyle, Marissa Oakes

Last year: 10-9-1, District 2 Class 3A runnerup after losing, 3-1, to Wyoming Valley West in district final

Key losses: Gabriella Bredbenner (All-State honorable mention), goalie Gretchen Darr, Faith Russo, Kylie Sisock, Paige Greco, Abigail Smithnosky

Key returnees: Bella Boyle (All-State second team, Top 100 freshmen players in U.S. 2024-25, Field Hockey Analyst 2025 watch list), Lauren Harmonosky, Meadow Pavlick, Addison Bobrowski, Lauren Lamanna, Madelyn Lamanna

Player to Watch: Alanna Filler

Coach’s outlook: “We lost seven seniors to graduation, including our goalie and six who were key players for several years. We do have a talented core group of returning players. Our team has a positive attitude and exceptional work ethic. We are working hard to rebuild with the goal of improving with each game.”

ROSTER

Seniors: Lauren Lamanna, Emy Macias, Nashly Paulino

Juniors: Lauren Harmonosky, Meadow Pavlick, Olivia Chyko, Maya Catalano, Aniurka Veloz, Winelis Ramos

Sophomores: Bella Boyle, Addison Bobrowski, Madelyn Lamanna, Lauren Shemansky, Cheyenne Diehl

Freshmen: Jyssica Chesla, Alanna Filler, Madelyn Evancho, Sydney Hunsinger, Arinnlis Ramos, Blanche Winkler

SCHEDULE

August: 23 — Stroudsburg, 26 — at Holy Redeemer, 29 — Nanticoke

September: 8 — Abington Heights (x),  10 — at Lackawanna Trail (x),  15 — Wyoming Seminary (x),  17 — Delaware Valley (x),  20 — Easton,  24 — at Honesdale (x),  27 — at Whitehall, 29 — Lake Lehman (x)

October: 1 — at Wyoming Area (x), 3 — at Tunkhannock, 6 — Wilkes Barre Area (x), 8 — at Crestwood (x), 11 — at Abington Heights, 13 — State College, 15 — at Wyoming Valley West (x)

(x) — Wyoming Valley Conference game

Crestwood

Head coach: Amanda Tredinnick

Assistant coaches: Haley Gayoski, Melanie Leo

Last year: 19-3 overall, 9-1 Wyoming Valley Conference; won District 2 Class AA championship; lost to Palmyra, 2-1, in the opening round of the PIAA tournament

Key losses: Kylah Kelly, Ava McConnell, Alyse Wanchisen, Violet Balara

Key returnees: Madi Geiger, Lexi Zabroski, Mackenzie Kovalski, Allie Myers, Alex Geiger, Stella Janosczyk, Ally George, Kasey Obes

Coach’s outlook: “We are looking forward to another fun and exciting season. We have 20 players returning and have seven freshmen joining us this season. Everyone has been working extremely hard this offseason, and we can’t wait to get started.”

ROSTER

Seniors: Macie Centak, Alex Geiger, Madi Geiger, Ally George, Addison Robbins, Callie Koons, Hayley Keiser, Mackenzie Kovalski, Ella Partington

Juniors: Kamryn Kelly, Gabby Carlin, Stella Janosczyk, Allie Myers, Lexi Zabroski, Reagan Rought

Sophomores: Addy Korpusik, Sophia Peters, Alekz Dutko, Ella Sorber, Kasey Obes

Freshmen: Erin Cavanaugh, Isla Centak, Emma Myers, Holly Rodgers, Piper kleban-Harden, Irelyn Iracki, Kelcie Kepping

SCHEDULE

August: 26 — Oley Valley. 30 — Sue Peters Tournament at Bloomsburg (two games)

September: 6 — at Twin Valley, 10 — at Honesdale (x), 15 — Lake-Lehman (x), 17 — at Wyoming Area (x), 22 — Wilkes-Barre Area (x), 24 — at Wyoming Seminary (x), 27 — Warwick, 29 — at Wyoming Valley West (x)

October: 1 — Abington Heights (x), 2 — at Northwestern Lehigh, 4 — at Easton (x), 6 — at Lackawanna Trail (x), 8 — Hazleton Area (x), 10 — at The Hill School, 15 — Delaware Valley (x)

(x) — Wyoming Valley Conference game