Quince Orchard High School Spring Sports Preview Capsules

The spring sports season begins today for Quince Orchard High School, and there are high expectations for all of the school’s sports teams. Here’s what to watch for from the Cougars this season:

MEN’S LACROSSE

Coach: David Heiney Gonalez

Last Year’s results: The Cougars finished last season 10-6, and their season ended when they lost, in the MPSSAA Regional semifinals to Urbana High School, 13-4.

Key returning players: John Barkanic (senior, goalkeeper); Jake Christensen (sophomore, attack); Heath Saffer (senior, midfield); Jacob Hogenkamp (senior, defense).

Expectations for this season: “We’ve got a group led by 13 seniors who have been together for four years and have worked immensely hard in the offseason and done a very good job,” Gonzalez said. “Our expectations are to get the first regional championship in school history this year. That’s where our expectations start.”

WOMEN’S LACROSSE

Coach: Jennifer Mohr

Last Year’s results: The Cougars played to a 9-4 finish last season before losing, 18-5, to Howard High School in the MPSSAA Regional Playoffs.

Key returning players: Umbar Kassa (junior, goalkeeper); Chandler Holdsworth (senior, midfielder); Rachel Hollander (junior, attack); Rachel Levensen (senior, defense).

Expectations for this season: “I expect a lot more than I did last year. Last year was my first season coming in, and the girls definitely improved tremendously,” Mohr said. “I expect that we go further this year, win our division again and get past that third round of the playoffs.”

SOFTBALL

Coach: Colleen Kelly

Last Year: Last year the Cougars finished 10-8 and lost to Walt Whitman High School in the first round of the MPSSAA Regional Playoffs.

Key Players: Brooke Beisner (senior, pitcher); Megan Dougherty (junior, third base); Natalya Sizdahkhani (junior, catcher). 

Expectations: "[The] girls have come in ready to go for the season and have practiced hard despite the weather conditions.  [Our] goals are to be competitive in our division and have another 10+ win year," Kelly said. "Solid pitching and defense are going to be our main keys to success. We lost a great lead-off batter last year, but overall we're a stronger team position to position."