Every coach has a vision for how they want their team to play.
For Manchester Valley field hockey, all season coach Denean Koontz stressed the importance of getting off to a fast start. Anyone who watched the Mavericks play could clearly see that her message resonated with her players — especially top goal scorer Amanda Herrold.
“There were a couple of times when she scored within the first two minutes [of a game] and that was huge for us,” Koontz said. “All season long we talked about dictating pace and snatching momentum and she was a big part of that for us. It was a huge confidence booster.”
Not only did Herrold’s goals set the tone, but her 24 led the county in 2024. She also finished with nine assists, leading the way for a Mavericks team that went 17-0 and captured the Class 2A state championship, the first in school history.
For her efforts, Manchester Valley’s Amanda Herrold has been named Carroll County Times field hockey Player of the Year.
“There’s so many talented players in the county and on my team,” Herrold said. “It’s really cool and an honor to be mentioned among the best.”
Not only has Herrold earned the right to be mentioned, she staked her claim to be the best from the opening moments of the season. Harrold scored three goals in the season-opening win against Tuscarora, starting a five-game scoring streak.
“I think that I’m pretty quick and very coachable,” Herrold said. ”On the field, my coaches can put me anywhere and tell me what they need me to do. I’m always thinking about what I can do next to help us win.”
Herrold’s scoring run carried over into the postseason where she scored in the state semifinals against Easton before scoring two goals in the title game to take down a Glenelg juggernaut, the thorn in Manchester Valley’s side the previous two years, for the school’s first ever field hockey state championship.
“She plays on the left outside of the field which is extremely difficult,” Koontz said. “But she has tremendous stick and reverse skills that enable her to carry the ball up the side of the field.”
Both Koontz and Herrold admit that Amanda isn’t the most vocal leader, instead opting for a lead by example approach. Complementing her on field dominance in 2024, her approach to the game made the ultimate impact for a championship squad that ended the year making history.
“She’s one of those kids who gives 100% at all times,” Koontz said. “Even back to her freshman year, whenever there was a water break, she’d be off to the side practicing on the goal. She utilizes all her free time and puts it into the game and making herself and everyone around her better.”
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