When you talk about players to watch in 2026 Section V field hockey, Pittsford Mendon is the best place to start.
Mendon has a strong case as the best team in Section V. The Vikings have won Section V championships each of the last three seasons. Ava Rice, a senior at Mendon in 2025, became the eighth Mendon Viking since 2016 named the Democrat and Chronicle All-Greater Rochester Player of the Year after voting by coaches in Section V.
Julia Koomen, a senior at Mendon, could make it five times in six years that a Viking earns AGR Player of the Year honors, or at least put herself in the conversation for the award.
Koomen is a midfielder, a position counted on to move the ball into the opponent's defensive zone and prevent the other team from doing
the same. They are key to a team's transition from defense to offense and offense to defense.
After last season, coaches in Section V considered Koomen as one of the 12 best players in the area, and voted her on to the 2025 AGR Team that included Rice as best of the best.
"Excellent stick skills, great presence on field, strong game sense," Mendon coach Kara Carpenter said during the preseason.
This is Koomen's third season as a starter at Mendon.
The first team Monroe County League all-star scored a goal in Mendon's season-opener, a 3-0 win over Buffalo Nichols. Koomen scored again and delivered an assist during a 4-0 win over Eastridge.
Mendon moved its record to 3-0 Sept. 8 when it defeated rival Pittsford Sutherland 1-0.
Pittsford Sutherland also has a pair of players who belong on any 2026 Section V field hockey watch list:
Hannah Herring, Pittsford Mendon
Senior goalkeeper. This is the third season as a starter. "Anchor to our defense, good communicator and strong clears (moving the ball away from the goal)," Mendon's Kara Carpenter, the 2025 AGR Coach of the Year, said.
Madelyn Kraus, Pittsford Sutherland
Sophomore forward. Second season as a starter with the Knights. Sutherland coach Kathy LaForce-Hutteman expects progression to continue for the 2025 Monroe County second team all-star.
Anya McDonell, Irondequoit
Junior goalkeeper. Irondequoit opened its season, McDonell's third as a starter, with a 1-0 win over Pittsford Sutherland. McDonell made seven saves at Irondequoit. "She's incredibly quick, has great footwork, ability to cover distances in goal fast and does a great job leading her defense (the players in front of her)," Irondequoit coach Emily Payne said.
Ali Mutrie, Irondequoit
Sophomore forward. This is her debut season as a starter in the Irondequoit lineup. She assisted on the goal scored that gave the Eagles a 1-0 win over Sutherland on Sept. 5. "Incredible shooting ability with a variety of shots and stick skill at her disposal," Irondequoit coach Emily Payne said.
Kyla Near, Webster Thomas
Senior forward. Fourth year on the Webster Thomas varsity.Scored the opening goal in a 2-1 overtime win over Fairport on Sept. 4. Put the Titans on the scoreboard Sept. 8, a 2-1 loss in overtime to Penfield.
Caroline Norten, Pittsford Mendon
Senior defender. Mendon coach Kara Carpenter believes that Norten is poised to become a first team Monroe County all-star and maybe more, this season.
Raina Sears, Penfield
Senior defender. 2025 all-state and AGR team member. Fourth year with the Penfield varsity. Plans to play in college at Geneseo. "Our defense had five shutouts and allowed only 1.06 goals per game," Sears said.
Morgan Seaver, Webster Thomas
Junior midfielder. Third season with the varsity Titans. Key member of 2025 Titans, who lost in overtime to Pittsford Mendon in the Section V Class B/C final.
Nicole Vicente, Eastridge
Junior center midfielder. 2025 AGR team member. Vicente scored eight goals last season, her third as a starter. Played for a team that earned a silver medal at the 2025 AAU Junior Olympics.
Sera Wiegand, Webster Schroeder
Senior defender. Fourth-year varsity starter. Probably will play in college in Division III. "Versatile player who can play on the forward line or hold our defense down," Schroeder coach Caitlyn Messina said. "Strong 3D skills (putting the ball in the air to move past or away from opponents) and shot on cage."
Ellie Wiggins, Pittsford Sutherland
Senior defender. This is Wiggins' fourth season as a starter with the Knights. 2025 Monroe County league all-star. "Key defender but also inserter on all corner plays," Sutherland coach Kathy LaForce-Hutteman said.
Jojo Zedick, Fairport
Junior midfielder. A member of last season's Section V Class A champion team. "Jojo plays exceptional defense to slow down and stop opposing teams, and then great vision and hits (the ball) to transition to offense," Fairport coach Megan Hernandez said.
On the radar
- Jane Burger (Brighton): Senior goalkeeper
- Charlotte Debay (Irondequoit): Senior midfielder. Third-year starter.
- Laney Held (Penfield): Junior midfielder
- Kelsey Hemmer (Brighton): Junior forward
- Quinn Kuehne (Eastridge): Junior defender
- Payton Kinney (East Rochester/Mercy): Senior forward/midfielder
- Reese Lauterbach (Pittsford Mendon): Senior midfielder plans to play at SUNY Brockport.
- Libby Lehman (Pittsford Sutherland): Senior forward. Plans to play in college at Saint John Fisher.
- Ryleigh Lent (Hilton): Senior forward/midfielder
- Tessa Layland (Brighton): Senior forward
- Sophia Smith (Webster Schroeder): Senior goalkeeper. 85 percent save average last season.
- Kate Taylor (Webster Schroeder): Senior center midfielder/defender
James Johnson, who grew up in the city of Rochester, has worked as a full-time journalist covering high school sports for the Democrat and Chronicle since 1996. Follow him @jjDandC on X (Twitter) and Instagram. Please contact him at JAMESJ@Gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: These Section V field hockey standouts could shape the 2026 season
