Salem field hockey shows explosive attack in 3-2 start

Salem's Shelby Scott (2) celebrates a goal with Autumn Glaspey (1). The pair has helped Salem to a 3-2 start this season. (Tim Hawk | For NJ Advance Media)

Salem's Shelby Scott (2) celebrates a goal with Autumn Glaspey (1). The pair has helped Salem to a 3-2 start this season. (Tim Hawk | For NJ Advance Media)

  • 09/20 - 4:00 PM Field HockeyFinal
    Salem 4
    Pennsville 2
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Salem coach Donna O'Leary had a good idea her team would be fine this year because of the trio she had back in seniors Autumn Glaspey and Ayanna Chapman, and junior Shelby Scott. The Rams have started the season 3-2, showing an explosive offense, scoring five goals in one game, three goals in another.

O'Leary found that Glaspey, Chapman and Scott all have improved since last season.

"They see the big field, and they're all very fast and their stick work is excellent," O'Leary said. "Those three see the whole game coming at them. They're consistently on the move. They've worked very hard to be where they are today. I would go as far as saying that they dominate. They're great players who will be ready to play at the college level, when they get there."

O'Leary and the Salem field hockey family have welcomed back 2016 graduate Seciley Sheffield, a four-year member of the team who is now serving as a manager. The Salem field hockey family has supported Sheffield in her battle against Hodgkin's lymphoma. The last of Sheffield's 12 chemo treatments will be Sept. 26.

"She's really amazing, and I wanted to make sure she was still a part of the team, because she can't go a full load of college courses just yet because of the chemo," O'Leary said. "We ran the Relay for Life for Seciley in June. The whole field hockey came out specifically for her. Seciley was a four-year player here and an inspiration."

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