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."