Three Warriors Make All State in Field Hockey

Three members of the Deerfield High School field hockey team—JoElla Guagliardo, Kezia DiGioia and Jessie Stein—were recently named all state selections putting an exclamation mark on an improved season over 2011.

Guagliardo, a junior, was also named the team’s most valuable player for the second year in a row, according to Coach Stacy Wood. “She is a major factor in moving the ball up the field from our defensive third to our offensive third,” Wood said.

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DiGioia, a center forward was a power on offense scoring 18 goals and 11 assists. “She was our most valuable offensive player this season,” Wood said.

Stein stood out on defense with 17 saves in the goal area. “Jessie was our most valuable defensive player,” Wood said. “As the center back, Jessie is the lead communicator on defense.”

A year ago the Warriors were the 16th seed in the State Tournament and moved up to eighth this season in part on the strength of performances of Guagliardo, DiGioia and Stein. With all three planning to return for their senior season, Wood is full of optimism.

“A large jump in one year,” Wood said referring to improving from 16th to eighth. “I anticipate our team being even stronger next year with a veteran large senior class.”

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