By Bob McPhee,Staff Writer

TURNER – Jessica Paladino and the rest of her Leavitt teammates are making sure last year’s losing record was a rare occurrence.

Fresh from knocking off previously unbeaten Waterville last weekend, the Hornets are riding high with a 9-1 record. Paladino is one of seven returning starters and a host of reserves back in the Hornets honeycomb, which suffered through a 5-9 campaign.

Paladino, a left inner, has scored seven goals and has eight assists. She also led the team in scoring (six, three) last year.

“Jessica Paladino has really come into her own over the past two years,” Leavitt coach Wanda Ward-MacLean said. “She had showed a lot of promise her sophomore year, her first on varsity. She has always had good stick work, but it has become exceptional these past two years, and she has become more confident in herself and stronger on the field.”

Returning with her to the Leavitt’s front line are Tiffany Poland and Lauren Doiron.

Other returning starters include midfielder Lyndsey Gillbert, defensemen Jenny Poland and Caroline Bochtler and goalie Kristin Schrepper.

Last season’s struggles provided playing time for several players, and that strategy is paying off nicely.

“The depth of the team has definitely been a major role in our success so far this season,” Paladino said. “Many of our subs have the same abilities as our starters, and they get the job done out on the field without any problems. This year we actually have two starting goalies (Schrepper and Jessica Vickerson) who are equally as good, and it just shows how hard every person on the team works.”

Paladino’s strong work ethic has filtered through the entire team. Her leadership qualities, the ability to see the field and her willingness to help others on the field has led her to be selected captain for the past two years.

“I try to get myself focused before each game,” Paladino said. “I make it a point to clear my head and think about nothing but field hockey. It’s my senior year and I really want to be successful, so I generally just prepare myself to go out onto the field and try my hardest the entire game. I don’t like feeling like I could’ve done better in certain situations at the end of the game, so I make it a point to try my best throughout the entire game, so that when I look back I will not be disappointed.”

Paladino has also learned the importance of adapting to different situations, trying to fill whatever role her team needs. For example, if a team is known to be very strong offensively, she’ll try to get back and help the defense mark up in the circle.

“When she handles the ball, she makes it look easy,” Ward-MacLean said. “She moves the ball quickly and uses a lot of dodges and fakes to beat the defenders and to get into an open space in order to get the ball down the field or make a pass to her teammates. She cuts to the ball and anticipates plays exceptionally well.”

Paladino has successfully balanced athletics and schoolwork. She has had either honors or high honors throughout high school. Her college plans remain undecided, but she hopes it will include playing field hockey.

The remainder of Leavitt’ schedule looks favorable. The players try to guard against becoming overconfident by supporting each other, going out for breakfast and having team dinners.

“Our team chemistry is amazing this year, we all get along very well, and are like sisters on and off the field,” Paladino said.

“We only graduated a few seniors last year, so we’ve all been playing together for a long time. We all are feeling really positive right now, and I hope that we can continue to play up to our potential for the rest of the season and hopefully on into playoffs.”