Conestoga’s Wozniak stands out to become Player of the Year

By Bill Rudickbrudick55@gmail.comBERWYN >> The Conestoga High School field hockey team rang up 23 straight wins before suffering its only loss of the season in the PIAA 3A quarterfinals, picking up Central League and District 1 titles along the way. But, even on a team as loaded with talent as the Pioneers, Shae Wozniak stood out as the heart and soul of the team, earning her the title of 2023 Daily Local News All-Area Field Hockey Player of the Year.

For the season, Wozniak scored 52 goals, while adding 10 assists, bringing her career totals to 107 and 38 respectively, for 252 total points.“Often times I’ll take her out of a game early, once the outcome is no longer in doubt,” said Conestoga coach Regan Marscher. “I can only imagine how high those numbers might be if I left her in the whole game.”Wozniak is at her best when the stakes are highest, scoring the goal that forced overtime in the Pioneers’ win over Notre Dame Academy, who finished the season ranked No. 1 in the nation. Wozniak scored the game-winner in overtime against then-No. 3 Episcopal Academy.“Shae has so many strengths, but I would say her biggest strength is her ability to elevate our entire team’s level of play,” said Marscher. “She brings her unparalleled skill set and intensity to practice every day, and in turn it makes everyone who puts on a Stoga jersey stronger as a result. It’s incredibly exciting to know that Shae has another year with Stoga.”

The Wozniaks are an athletic family. Her mother, Cathy, played softball in college, while father, Ted, was a Division III football player. Wozniak’s 12-year-old younger sister, Brynn, is also a field hockey player.Wozniak got her start playing field hockey back in second grade, playing in a recreational league called Fast Flicks, and took to the sport right away.“I had tried other sports before like lacrosse and gymnastics but they didn’t stick,” said Wozniak. “So when I tried field hockey, I knew it was the perfect fit for me.”With all her attention focused on field hockey, Wozniak’s appreciation for the game grew by leaps and bounds.

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2023 Daily Local News All-Area Field Hockey Player of the Year–Shae Wozniak (BILL RUDICK for MediaNews Group)