When the 2025 version of the Salisbury field hockey team hits the field for the first time it will be jumping right into the heat of competition.

The season opened last Tuesday against Northwestern Lehigh, the team that defeated the Falcons for the Colonial League championship last season.

Falcon head coach Jane Brennan is excited about the upcoming season as the team looks to level up from its runner-up status in both leagues and districts last year.

“One of the biggest things we stressed this preseason is that we want them to level up,” said Brennan, who starts her ninth season as the Salisbury field hockey coach. “Whatever they can do individually will help us to level up as a team. This is a team-wide thing and we’re going to level up as coaches. We’re all leveling up for this thing because we know that after last season teams are going to look at us differently, but we’re ready for it.”

One thing the Lady Falcons have going for them is that they lost only two players – Lauren Kushma and Maya Afif – to graduation.

It doesn’t help that Kushma was the team’s leading goal scorer and that Afif was one of the toughest players in front of the goal for Salisbury.

On the upside, the team returns six senior players who figure to provide experience and leadership for the squad.

Kutztown University commit Gwyn DeFazio scored 22 goals and 19 assists last season and is a leader on both offense and defense.

Kendra Morgan combines athleticism and an aggressive style of play on offense and could be poised for a big season.

Sarah Beckage gives Salisbury the type of tough player in front of the goal that Afif provided last season and has a scrappiness that Brennan loves.

Defensively, in addition to the presence of DeFazio, Meredith Kelley started every game last season and has the communication skills that defenses need to be effective, while Emma Yakaitis provides speed to the defensive unit.

Goalie Caroline Gedney came up big last season and had 12 shutouts as a junior.

With an experienced defensive group of players, scoring against the Lady Falcons won’t come easily.

“We have a lot of girls who have been playing together for years, and they have a high IQ for the game and are unselfish,” said Brennan. “Those types of players give a team leadership and the communication between them and the younger players has been great. That’s something that really has to develop on its own. You can do things to help it along but either the players like each other and form friendships that carry over into teamwork or they don’t.”

Juniors Ellie Schneider and Katie Carbone, who both excel at getting the ball to the offensive zone well, return to the midfield for Salisbury. Schneider has great field hockey instincts and Carbone provides some toughness in the midfield. Ella Morgans can move from midfield to defense and brings speed and a strong passing game to the mix.

The sophomore class is represented by midfielder Ryley Shoemaker and Anna Grubb and Brennan believes both will be contributing to the team.

“Our goal is not only to get back to the league and district championships, but to level up and become champions,” said Brennan. “That’s what this whole idea is about. We have to do the things that it takes to make that next step.”