Field hockey: What's ahead in 2021? (HWS ranks)

The pressure to win at what is annually one of the state's top programs can be daunting, but it only took three seasons for coach Shannon Hughes to remove that weight as Voorhees captured its first title since 2016 with a 4-2 win over Lawrence in the Central West A final. Hughes was a bit of a surprise hire with no previous coaching experience and fresh out of Rider University in 2018.

Voorhees with the school's eighth sectional trophy.

"I'm still shocked they did take a chance on someone right out of college," said Hughes, a former star at South Plainfield, who helped lead the Tigers to a sectional final appearance as a senior in 2013. "Both of my parents were varsity coaches [she played for her mother, Cheryl, at South Plainfield] so I was around it 24-7. And my staff has helped me."

The Vikes (14-1-1), who lost just once in a season for the first time since 2010, also won the Skyland Conference Valley Division title as senior center forward Kathrine McLean powered the offense with 18 goals and an area-best 21 assists. Senior forward Tess Rodenburger (17 goals) also had a breakout season, while junior Sadie Eichlin (9 goals, 13 assists) thrived in her debut as a midfielder. But perhaps the biggest loss is senior back Grace Schiavo, one of the best defenders around.

The cupboard is usually far from bare at the Hunterdon County school and Voorhees will also have junior forward Leigha Schultze (11 goals), freshman Kate Cookson (10 assists) and sophomore forward Kate Matyas to build around next season. But the priorities for what will be a young team include filling the center forward and goalie positions.

"It will definitely be a rebuilding year," Hughes said.

Warren Hills was the only other local team to win a region title -- cruising to a 6-0 win over West Morris in the Northwest C championship game. The Blue Streaks will lose 10 seniors to graduation, including nine talented starters. But coach Josie Potter has a strong middle school program to draw from and next year's group, though young, will have plenty of talent to continue a winning tradition.

And what about an experienced North Hunterdon team that should be plenty hungry -- falling in the Central West B semifinals after a sectional runner-up finish in 2019 -- as the Lions seek the program's first postseason title since 1993? Coach Maria Bachert's group could be the team to beat in our area next fall.

But for now, we present our final team rankings for the 2020 season:

Warren Hills enjoyed its first unbeaten season.

1. Warren Hills (14-0) -- Blue Streaks' 70 goals were three shy of the area lead. Senior Simryn Desai ranks ninth in career points (123) and is tied with two others for ninth on the school's all-time goals list (48) and tied for 11th in career assists (27). She is also among only 16 to record at least 15 assists in a season. Junior Maddie Summitt (77) will look to become only the 17th to hit 100 career points next season. Seniors Juliana Valli (29) and Jenna Wyckoff (25) joined a group of only 38 with at least 23 career goals. Wyckoff, headed to Ball State, ranks 17th in career assists (24).

2. North Hunterdon (11-3) -- Lions ended a 41-game losing streak to archrival Voorhees, but were denied in their quest for the program's third sectional title and first since 1993 with a 2-1 loss in double overtime to champion Ridge -- one of two losses to the Red Devils -- in the Central West B semifinals. Super sophomore forward Lauren Masters logged an area-best 26 goals and was the leading scorer among the three counties. She and junior Ryan Anderson (10 goals, 18 assists) both went over 100 career points this season. Backs Sophie Peterson and Marley Hoffman were the lone seniors on a roster that included nine juniors and six sophomores.

39 and 23 out

Thank you seniors! pic.twitter.com/wd2QukhVSR

— NHHS_Field_Hockey (@NhhsField) November 24, 2020

3. Voorhees (14-1-1) -- Vikings earned the 38th section/region championship for Hunterdon County and the program's 22nd division title in the Skyland Conference since its formation in 1990. Senior forward Kathrine McLean produced one of the finest offensive seasons for the school with 18 goals and 21 assists and is heading to the University of Colorado to play lacrosse. After 0-0 tie with Ridge on Nov. 5, the Vikes outscored their remaining opponents, 15-2, including three playoff wins.

4. Hunterdon Central (8-5) -- Red Devils were eliminated in the Central West B quarterfinals with a 1-0 loss to Ridge, which avenged a 2-1 loss at home to Central on Oct. 3. Coach Jenn Sponzo's team was seeking its second straight title after capturing the North 2, Group 4 sectional crown in 2019. With 11 seniors on the roster, next year figures to be a major rebuilding campaign, but leading scorer Jennifer Tokash (7 goals) returns.

5. South Hunterdon (12-4) -- Eagles were derailed in their bid for a 15th section/region title and first since 2002 with a 4-0 loss to champion Voorhees in the Central West A semifinals -- snapping South's five-game win streak. Sophomore forward Sarah Faherty led the Skyland Conference Mountain Division champions, who lose only two starters to graduation, with 11 goals.

6. Phillipsburg (6-4) -- Stateliners had an abrupt end to their season due to coronavirus exposure as they ended on a three-game winning streak, including a 2-1 win over region champion Ridge in their finale on Nov. 3. Senior midfielder Morgan Cherry is off to Gettysburg College, but the 'Liners will look to sophomores Brooke Hunter (team-high 6 goals), Grace Merrick and Samantha Helman on offense next season and junior Madison Darmstadt on defense.

Belvidere played in its 2nd postseason final since '96.

7. Belvidere (8-4-1) -- County Seaters enjoyed a 2-0 win over Newton in the Northwest A semifinals -- snapping a four-game skid to the Braves dating to 2017, including a 1-0 overtime loss in the North 1, Group 1 final in '18. Coach Beth Franceschino's team fell to Pequannock, 2-0, for the second straight year in the regional final. Senior forward and Pace University recruit Olivia Zmyewski will be tough to replace, but the bulk of this team is back, particulary on defense. Keep an eye on freshman Emerson LaBar, who emerged as an offensive force in the second half, while sophomore Kaitlin Williams did a nice job in the cage.

Congratulations Olivia!! 💙🐾 pic.twitter.com/ZX79ciEUpu

— Lady Seaters FH (@ladyseatersfh) November 16, 2020

8. Vernon (13-1) -- Vikings, which had seven senior starters, won their second straight NJAC division title and reached the Northwest B final -- falling 3-1 to Morristown-Beard -- as they were bidding for the Sussex County program's ninth section/region title and first since 1996. Junior forward Alyssa Van Dalinda led all scorers in the county with 17 goals, while junior Julia Gregory scored the team's goal -- her eighth of the season -- in the finals loss.

9. Delaware Valley (5-7) -- Terriers weren't able to solve South Hunterdon -- falling 2-1 in overtime to the Eagles in the Central West A playoffs for their third loss in season series. Del Val also had a double loss to Belvidere, including 1-0 in overtime in their second meeting on Nov. 2. The offensive totals took a dip from 2019, as sophomore Natalie Heiser led the team with six goals.

10. Lenape Valley (9-2-2) -- Patriots enter here for the first time this season as they knocked off former No. 10 Hackettstown, 1-0, on Nov. 14 before seeing their playoff run end with a 2-0 loss to champion Pequannock in the Northwest A semifinals. Senior forward Julianna Gentilucci once again led the team in scoring with 10 goals and 7 assists, while junior Angie Falleni was next with eight goals.

Just missed the cut

Hackettstown (5-4-1) -- Tigers went 1-2 after being reinstated to play on Nov. 14 following a 17-day hiatus due to a sports-wide coronavirus shutdown at the school. Junior forward Emma Patton scored two goals in the team's 3-1 win over Sparta in the Northwest B playoffs. Leading scorer and senior forward Megan Doyle (8 goals, 7 assists) will be missed, but this was a fairly young group with a freshman goalie. Keep an eye on freshman forward Kiara Koeller (6 goals).

Newton (7-4) -- Braves also came back from a 12-day coronavirus shutdown and won in their return -- 3-2 in overtime against Boonton in the Northwest A playoffs -- before falling, 2-0, at Belvidere in the semifinals. Senior forward Elissar Abou-Jaoude scored the winning goal against Boonton, while junior midfielder Sidney Pavlishin (5 goals, 10 assists) led the Sussex County team in scoring.

Field hockey: Streaks expect tradition to carry on

Talk about a high school field hockey season that was one for the books. 

Warren Hills overcame the uncertainty of a pandemic and -- knowing in advance that it would not get the opportunity to play for a coveted state title -- claimed a ninth straight sectional/region title as it steamrolled West Morris, 6-0, in the Northwest C final to cap the program's first unbeaten season. 

It's the 18th title overall for Warren Hills (14-0) -- trailing only West Essex (38), Eastern and Moorestown (28), Shore (27), Haddonfield (22) and Shawnee (20). (Note: The scheduled region final between Moorestown and Clearview was not played).

Warren Hills celebrates its 18th championship.

"We take a lot of pride in our hard work. We practiced long hours and on hot days," said senior captain and Rutgers University recruit Sarah Korczukowski, who came up big this season in the all-important center midfield spot and converted two penalty strokes in the postseason. "We came to win every game -- home and away."

Safe to say the 10 seniors (nine starters) left an indelible mark on this program that will be a standard bearer for years to come. The group went 80-11-1 (45-5 at home) and ended on a 28-game home win streak that will stretch into next season. Add in three Skyland Conference Raritan Division titles, two HWS Tournament championships and three Group 3 finals appearances, and it's hard to argue that this wasn't the most talented senior class ever to wear the Blue and White, even though they didn't accomplish the ultimate goal of winning a state title. All 10 will play in college next fall.

"All of the seniors left the program with something special," said Korczukowski, who is tied for 18th on the school's career assist leaderboard with 23 and 24th in points (81). "Warren Hills will carry on [the tradition]. I'm excited to see what they do next year."

Potter noted the unselfish nature of this year's forward line, which featured four players with double-digit goals or assists totals, and a group that totaled 70 goals (5.3 per game). Junior Maddie Summitt was the leading scorer with 18 goals and 11 assists for 47 points (third-most among all area players), while seniors Juliana Valli (14 goals), Jenna Wyckoff (11 goals) and Simryn Desai (15 assists) all created headaches for opposing defenses.

Warren Hills was 11-0 in division play this season.

"As a team all the girls pushed each other to get through [the COVID-19 pandemic]," Valli said. "The undefeated season was amazing and a positive for the whole Warren Hills community."

During the offseason, Desai, who led the team with 20 goals in 2019, made the move from left to right wing, a spot where she had never played in high school. Potter said the Hofstra University commit never once questioned the coach's decision.

"The first thing she did was learn a new dodge," Potter said.

Let's not forget the heavy losses on defense as only talented junior and three-year starter Emily Dvorsky returns next year at left back. Stellar backs Liz Schlaffer and Kylie Compton and goalie Emily Schlessinger combined to produce eight shutouts in 13 games (one win was a postseason forfeit against Wayne Hills) and yielded just four goals in the final 10 games.

With Summitt and Dvorsky, the OT hero in a 2-1 regional semifinal win over Chatham, returning as the leaders for 2021, and a talented middle school program, can Warren Hills maintain its postseason and home win streaks?

"It's such a strong tradition," Potter said. "Even next year, I don't like to call it a rebuilding year. We have some talented people [returning] -- it's a matter of figuring out team chemistry and who works well together."

Field hockey: Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex standings

  Final

Skyland Conference
Delaware Division
		Overall	Division
x-Bridgewater-Raritan		(9-2-1)	(8-2-1)
Hunterdon Central		(8-5)	(7-4)
Hillsborough		(8-8)	(5-7)
Pingry		(2-10-1)	(2-9-1)
Watchung Hills		(4-12)	(2-11)
Raritan Division
		Overall	Division
xy-Warren Hills		(14-0)	(11-0)
North Hunterdon		(11-3)	(9-2)
y-Ridge		(11-6-1)	(7-6)
Phillipsburg		(6-4)	(6-4)
Montgomery		(2-13)	(0-12)
Valley Division
		Overall	Division
xy-Voorhees		(14-1-1)	(10-0)
Bernards		(5-8)	(5-6)
Somerville		(2-11)	(2-8)
Franklin		(1-6)	(1-6)
Mountain Division
		Overall	Division
x-South Hunterdon		(12-4)	(9-3)
Mount St. Mary		(10-4-1)	(8-3-1)
Belvidere		(8-4-1)	(6-3-1)
Delaware Valley		(5-7)	(4-6)
North Plainfield		(0-11)	(0-10)
Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference
White North
		Overall	Division
x-Vernon		(13-1)	(7-0)
Newton		(7-4)	(4-3)
Wallkill Valley		(5-5-2)	(3-3-1)
Kittatinny		(3-9)	(2-5)
High Point		(2-8-1)	(1-6-1)
Red North
		Overall	Division
x-Randolph		(11-3)	(10-0)
Mount Olive		(10-4)	(9-3)
Roxbury		(7-5-1)	(6-4-1)
Sparta		(5-7)	(5-6)
Morris Knolls		(4-4-1)	(4-4-1)
Pope John		(1-9)	(1-9)
Morris Hills		(0-9)	(0-9)
White South
		Overall	Division
x-Lenape Valley		(9-2-2)	(5-0-1)
Hackettstown		(5-4-1)	(2-1-1)
Jefferson		(4-9)	(2-4)
North Warren		(0-7)	(0-4)
x-division champion
y-region champion

 

Field hockey: Final HWS area scoring leaders

Minimum 10 points

Player	School	Goals	Assists	Points
Lauren Masters	North Hunterdon	26	7	59
Kathrine McLean	Voorhees	18	21	57
Maddie Summitt	Warren Hills	18	11	47
Ryan Anderson	North Hunterdon	10	18	38
Alyssa Van Dalinda	Vernon	17	3	37
Tess Rodenburger	Voorhees	17	2	36
Simryn Desai	Warren Hills	9	15	33
Juliana Valli	Warren Hills	14	4	32
Sadie Eichlin	Voorhees	9	13	31
Sara Roberts	North Hunterdon	11	9	31
Olivia Reeder	North Hunterdon	10	11	31
Jenna Wyckoff	Warren Hills	11	8	30
Julianna Gentilucci	Lenape Valley	10	7	27
Olivia Zmyewski	Belvidere	9	7	25
Megan Doyle	Hackettstown	8	7	23
Leigha Schultze	Voorhees	11	1	23
Sarah Faherty	South Hunterdon	11	0	22
Rebecca Phillips	South Hunterdon	9	3	21
Sarah Korczukowski	Warren Hills	8	5	21
Kayla Collinson	Sparta	9	3	21
Kate Cookson	Voorhees	5	10	20
Julia Gregory	Vernon	8	4	20
Sydney Pavlishin	Newton	5	10	20
Chandler Storcella	South Hunterdon	7	5	19
Casey Coleman	Sparta	8	2	18
Natalia Oprzadek	South Hunterdon	9	0	18
Angie Falleni	Lenape Valley	8	2	18
Elissar Abou-Jaoude	Newton	6	5	17
Ashley Moskal	Warren Hills	5	5	15
Jennifer Tokash	Hunterdon Central	7	1	15
Kiara Koeller	Hackettstown	6	3	15
Sarah Woods	Hunterdon Central	7	1	15
Emily Mizeski	Wallkill Valley	5	4	14
Zoe Horan	South Hunterdon	6	2	14
Kate Matyas	Voorhees	4	6	14
Sarina Sanders	Wallkill Valley	5	3	13
Natalie Heiser	Delaware Valley	6	1	13
Ava Laible	North Hunterdon	6	1	13
Brooke Hunter	Phillipsburg	6	0	12
Grace Schiavo	Voorhees	5	2	12
Sidney Van Tassel	Vernon	2	8	12
Natalie Hasert	Vernon	4	4	12
Emma Patton	Hackettstown	6	0	12
Audrey Flannery	High Point	5	1	11
Alicia Mihalko	Vernon	5	1	11
Emerson LaBar	Belvidere	5	1	11
Kellie Roth	Wallkill Valley	3	4	10
Madisen Dippel	Kittatinny	4	2	10
Sophia Candelorio	Sparta	4	2	10