Field hockey: Will Streaks be G3 title favorites in '19?

Warren Hills juniors Kate Fenner and Samantha Dugan were already thinking about the 2019 field hockey season shortly after the sting of a 7-0 loss to Moorestown in the Group 3 final on Saturday.

Another finals defeat -- the Blue Streaks' third in a row following back-to-back runs for the program's only two championships in 2014 and '15 -- is something neither player wants to endure again a year from now, especially in what will be their last season wearing the blue and white.

Warren Hills will have its sight set on winning another one of these in 2019.

"We have a lot to work on," said Fenner, a strong defensive player who really showed her versatility midway through the season when she was asked to assume the center midfield spot. "Next year the pressure will be on us because we will be expected to win. I can't believe this was my last game as a junior."

Warren Hills (19-6-1), which fell one shy of extending the program's string of 20-win seasons to eight, captured its seventh straight sectional title while appearing in its seventh straight Group 3 final. But that elusive state title will be the focus in 2019, along with reclaiming the Skyland Conference Raritan Division and Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament championships after runner-up finishes in both.

"It stinks to end the season with a loss, but I feel we played the best we possibly could. They played hard the entire game," said second-year coach Josie Potter, whose unorthodox decision to scrap her lineup midway through the season to essentially hold open tryouts for starting spots paid off dividends after the Streaks had lost three of five and were lacking offensive punch.

Fenner and Dugan helped mentor a talented, but inexperienced forward line that struggled at times this fall.

Speedy sophomore wing Simryn Desai, who scored decisive goals in the North 1, Group 3 sectional final and the Group 3 semifinal wins, led the team with 18 goals. Sophomore Jenna Wyckoff also scored some big goals, including a reverse-stick winner in a 2-1 victory in overtime vs. Hackettstown on Sept. 29 -- one of seven OT games and the most played by the Streaks in a season since the 2005 team's six. Freshman Maddie Summitt finished with five goals and five assists, while sophomore Julianna Valli, another speedster, often provided a spark off the bench. Even sophomore Grace Kerner, who played sparingly this season, flashed some skill in coming off the bench against Moorestown.

"You have to want it and take advantage of your opportunities," said Dugan, who also was asked to help out in the midfield after coming off a strong sophomore season in which she scored 19 goals, primarily as a forward.

Dugan, who has 37 career goals, will have a good chance to finish in the Top 10 among on the program's all-time list as a senior -- either at forward or in the midfield. Winning another Group 3 title will hinge on boosting an offense that scored two or fewer goals 16 times and was shut out for the third time this season on Saturday.

"I know how to play multiple positions," Dugan said. "Whatever works best for the team."

Ashley Moskal (far right) was a key loss for the Streaks in 2018.

Considering the youth factor and injuries to key players, Warren Hills, which will enter next season with 687 wins as a program, did well just to reach a seventh straight Group 3 final. Sophomore back Ashley Moskal, one of the best players in the conference and the MVP in last year's HWS Tournament, was lost for the season with a knee injury in the second game, a huge blow that could derailed the rest of the Streaks' campaign. In addition, back Liz Schlaffer, one of 13 sophomores on the roster who was having a solid season on defense, missed the final two games with a knee injury.

According to Potter, Moskal put the team on her back in the season opener against Voorhees and helped lead a scoring drive that sent Warren Hills on its way to a 3-1 win.

"She gave us that on-field leadership that we needed," Potter said. "She changed the entire tone [of that win over Voorhees]. Losing her hurt, not just because of her skill, but her leadership. She does it without being vocal. Kate also became a leader for us."

In her absence, sophomore backs Sarah Korczukowski, who moved from the center midfield spot to sweeper, and Kylie Compton really came into their own to help anchor a strong defensive unit, along with freshman Emily Dvorsky, who will be a major headache for opposing teams the next three seasons. They all were instrumental in the postseason run.

"Sarah K was stellar back there," Potter said. "She's very patient, and understands the game so well."

Moorestown (21-1-1), which won its 18th state title overall, featured 13 seniors, including 10 starters, and may be in for a bit of a rebuilding season next year. Ocean City, a state final nemesis for Warren Hills and a fairly young team as well, could be the Group 3 favorite in South Jersey in 2019. The Raiders (19-4-1), who also lost 7-0 to Moorestown in the Group 3 semifinals, handed the Streaks a 5-0 loss in the 2016 final after falling to Warren Hills in the 2014 and '15 title games.

"This hurts, but the girls played their hearts out," Potter said. "I'm looking forward to seeing the starting lineup we have returning."