The Parkland High School field hockey team’s 2024 season did not end the way that head coach Julie Nelson or the team would have liked. The Trojans were unable to collect any gold in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference or District 11.

“Overall, I was a little disappointed in the season,” said Nelson. “We were never able to put together a full 60-minute game against the big teams in the EPC such as Easton, Nazareth and Emmaus. We had the talent but struggled with the mental toughness to finish a full game within the conference. We scored on ourselves in a few big games just showing some of our weaknesses.”

Overall, there were some good moments that Nelson reflects back on.

“My favorite game of the season was against Wilson West Lawn,” Nelson said. “We were able to come from behind on two occasions and win the game in the end 3-2. This was a game where my team showed the ability to focus for an entire 60 minutes and fight until the end. Against a team we didn’t know much about other than that they were talented with a great coach.

“Also, scoring two goals against Emmaus in the district semifinals. Although the result was a 5-2 loss, it showed my players that it is not impossible to score or beat them. I am hoping to carry that confidence and that scrappiness in front of the cage over to next season.”

On an individual basis, Jordan Brunnabend and Jenna Mayer received All-EPC First Team honors and Rosella Birns earned All-EPC Second Team recognition. Four players committed to college, including Mayer and Birns to Stevens Institute of Technology, Brunnabend to Mansfield University and Brynn Harrison to Franklin and Marshall.

The Trojans graduated a very successful class, including Saige Berger, Birns, Brunnabend, Harrison, Anna Sensinger and Abigail Severo.

“This senior class was a diverse group of personalities,” said Nelson. “We had some who were starters and some who assisted from the sidelines. This group was very personable and had great relationships with one another, their teammates and their coaches. They lead by example on and off the field, remaining positive in even the toughest situations. We were presented with some within team situations this year that they handled well and took leadership. I will miss this group. The starting seniors will be very difficult to replace.”