Hamburg leans on senior leadership in pursuit of sectional title

Overview

• Coach Kelly Owens points to an experienced senior core, team play and strength through the defense and midfield as Hamburg's foundation.
• Senior captains Abby DeMaria, Addison Wagner, Eliza Sullivan, Rory O'Brien and Grace Sokolowski lead the group.
• DeMaria's career line lists 21 goals, including 11 in 2025-26, while Owens identifies Wagner as a breakout candidate after moving her to attack.
• Hamburg is 2-1 through Sept. 14; upcoming landmarks include a Sept. 21 visit to Clarence and three consecutive road games Oct. 5-9.

Hamburg Field Hockey's ambitions for the 2026 season begin with a senior core that knows how to work together. Head coach Kelly Owens said the group has spent the last three years together on varsity, building the experience behind a team aiming for a sectional championship.

“People should expect to see a team that plays extremely hard and works really well together,” Owens said.

Owens, who has coached the varsity team for more than 20 years, identifies team play, defense and midfield as Hamburg's biggest strengths. The next step is to turn those strengths into more scoring opportunities through an aggressive attack and pressure throughout the field.

Experience through the middle

Senior captain Abby DeMaria will be central to that effort. Owens moved her to midfield midway through last season and praised her ability to see the field, move the ball from defense to offense and remain a scoring threat. DeMaria scored 11 goals in 2025-26. Her listed career total stands at 21 goals and two assists, including one goal and two assists in the first three games of 2026-27.

Fellow senior captain Eliza Sullivan brings four career goals and an assist. Senior Jillian Suida and junior Grace McDonald also return in midfield, with Claire Davidson and Teagan O' Brien adding options Owens is excited about.

Behind them, senior captain Rory O'Brien is a key defensive returner. Owens highlighted her improvement and growing impact on that end of the field. Heather O'Connor, Danica Oroszi and Genevieve Hart also provide returning defensive talent, while Soleil Marcinelli joins the group from junior varsity.

Senior captain Grace Sokolowski gives Hamburg an established goalkeeper. Owens describes her as a field general whose leadership and communication help organize her teammates. Sokolowski's listed career statistics include 273 saves, with 66 recorded in 2025-26.

Owens singled out senior captain Addison Wagner as a breakout candidate after moving her to attack, citing her commitment to the game, improved stick skills and example for younger teammates. Wagner has scored three goals in the first three games this season, bringing her listed career total to four. She joins senior Leah Smith, whose career line includes five goals and five assists. Smith recorded two goals and four assists last season.

Aaryn Kline, Kara Logan and Allison Boltz give Owens additional attacking options. On penalty corners, Owens sees versatility in a group of potential shooters that includes Wagner, DeMaria, O'Connor, Smith and Sullivan.

The objective is to create chances through sustained pressure. Owens wants Hamburg to press up and down the field and become more aggressive in generating scoring opportunities.

A season built on offseason work

Owens said the team's preparation began in January with weight-room sessions every Tuesday and Thursday at 6:30 a.m. Summer work included Monday and Wednesday morning field sessions focused on skills and game play, along with Monday Night Lights. That commitment supports the identity Owens wants: a team recognized for their work ethic and effort every night. She credits the five senior captains with creating a positive, motivating environment and helping teammates improve.

Schedule landmarks

Hamburg has started 2-1, winning 2-1 at Holland/East Aurora on Sept. 9, falling 1-0 to Penfield on Sept. 12 and winning 3-0 at Starpoint on Sept. 14.

The next home game is Sept. 18 against Williamsville East at 5:30 p.m. at Howe Field Turf. Hamburg then visits Clarence on Sept. 21 at 7 p.m., before hosting Pioneer on Sept. 23 and West Seneca on Sept. 25. October brings a home game against Iroquois on Oct. 2, followed by three consecutive road dates: Williamsville South on Oct. 5, Orchard Park on Oct. 7 and Amherst on Oct. 9.

Hamburg returns home for Sweet Home on Oct. 14 and Williamsville North on Oct. 16. They then visit Nichols on Oct. 19 before closing the listed schedule at home against Lancaster on Oct. 21 at 5:30 p.m. For Owens and her veteran group, the goal is to carry their shared preparation into a season in which everyone contributes—and a push for a sectional title.