TIOGA COUNTY SPORTS REPORT: SVEC'S ROOT, GENTILE TRIO, TIOGA'S DECKER EARN FIELD HOCKEY HONORS (January 6, 2026)
Tioga County Sports Report
TIOGA COUNTY — After a 30-year absence from the Section IV playoffs, the Spencer-Van Etten/ Candor field hockey team made its second consecutive postseason appearance this fall.
A big part of that success can be attributed to juniors
Kendall Gentile and
Kaidince Root, who share the 2025
Tioga County Sports Report Field Hockey
“Player of the Year” honor.
Kendall Gentile was unselfish with the ball and is also the
“Offensive Player of the Year” while Root was a defensive stalwart and is the
"Defensive Player of the Year."
SVEC’s Maddy Gentile had a knack for finding the back of the cage and is the
”Newcomer of the Year,” while Tioga’s Vangie Decker was a wall in front of the cage and is the
"Goalie of the Year," and SVEC’s Abby Gentile is the
“Coach of the Year.”
A two-time Section IV Division III all-star, Kendall Gentile possessed excellent stick skills and a great understanding of the game, and she led the team in points with seven goals and five assists during the regular season. She scored four goals and handed out one assist as the Eagles won their final two regular-season games, both must-wins, to qualify for the playoffs.
Root, also a two-time Section IV Division III all-star, was a relentless defender and the team’s “flyer” on defensive penalty corners, preventing opponents from making strong shots on the initial insert. She also scored three goals.
Don’t let Maddy Gentile’s youth fool you. The 7th-grader’s stick skills and knowledge of the game allowed her to score a team-high nine goals. She also contributed two assists.
Decker was a force to be reckoned with at the defensive end of the field as she recorded 185 saves in goal for the Tigers.
Abby Gentile took over the program in 2018 and has brought the Eagles to the top of the Tioga County contingent with a 14-player roster which included just one senior, seven underclassmen and two players from the junior high ranks. SVEC went 5-0 in intra-county games, and guided the team to a 7-10 record and its second straight Section IV playoff appearance this season.
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"Offensive Player of the Year," Kendall Gentile, SVEC
"Defensive Player of the Year," Kaidince Root, SVEC
”Newcomer of the Year,” Maddy Gentile, SVEC
"Goalie of the Year," Vangie Decker, Tioga
“Coach of the Year” Abby Gentile, SVEC
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The 2025 All-Tioga County Field Hockey Super 7
Megan Brooks, senior, Newark Valley: Playing right fullback, she made 14 defensive saves, and her experience and calmness helped hold the defense together.
Eva Crawford, sophomore, Owego: Despite dealing with an injury, she was key to the River Hawks’ offense and twice scored game-winning goals in overtime.
Kendall Gentile, junior, SVEC: See above.
Kaidince Root, junior, SVEC: See above.
Maddy Gentile, 7th grade, SVEC: See above.
Olly Hinkle, sophomore, SVEC: Her coach called her “the best pure defender in the county.” Steady under pressure, her skills helped her break up fast breaks by opposing teams. She also assisted on one goal.
Abbie Engelbert, senior, Tioga: A four-year starter, she was a strong midfielder who could read plays and possessed great off-ball movement.
The Second Seven
Ryan Schweckendieck, senior, Newark Valley: A strong defender at center fullback, she made three defensive saves and played a key role in the team’s transition up the field.
Malloy Chapman, junior, Newark Valley: Switching to defense, whe learned the position quickly and became a key contributor. Chapman recorded four defensive saves for NV.
May Daly, freshman, Owego: She played a key role on defense for the River Hawks and contributed one goal.
Mikayla Wilbur, senior, Owego: forward, she was one of eight seniors offering leadership as the River Hawks went through a rebuilding phase.
Megan Williamson, junior, SVEC: An injury and a transfer forced her to move from forward to midfield and she adjusted well due to her athleticism and speed. She was part of the defensive unit on penalty corners, and also registered three goals and three assists.
Anna Kithcart, senior, Tioga: The team’s defensive leader, she was a strong communicator. Her footwork and ability to contain helped her stop defenders on breakaways.
Cora Szymanski, sophomore, Tioga: A heady player who works hard in the offseason, she can see space well, read open lanes and is great with a jab that slows defenders down.
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All-Tioga County Super 7 Newcomers
Tyla Rundell, 8th grade, Newark Valley
Ashleen Callahan, freshman, Newark Valley
Maddy Gentile, 7th grade, SVEC
Mally Hinkle, freshman, SVEC
Rylee Silvernail, 8th grade, SVEC
Sophie Sunday, freshman, SVEC
Vangie Decker, freshman, Tioga
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