The Warren Hills Field Hockey team worked through countless triumphs to get to the semi-finals by the end of their fall season. In the process, the team accumulated 17 wins and 4 losses.

The Blue Streaks made it to the first two rounds of the state tournament, winning against Wayne Hills and Middletown South. Not only did Warren Hills Field Hockey beat those teams, but they also blew them out of the water. The final score of the Wayne Hills game was 7-0 and the final score of the Lenape Valley game was 5-1.

The team was led by seniors Lisa Barry, Carolyn Brown, Gabby Fama, Olivia Hopek, Madeline “Maddie” Moreno, and Bailey Thompson.

There are numerous exciting moments in the game of field hockey, and Fama, one of the captains, shared one of them:

“My favorite moment in my Warren Hills Field Hockey career was our state game against Chatham my junior year. It was a night game and many fans showed up to cheer the team on.

“That night, I scored the first goal of the game, and it was my first career varsity goal. It was a moment I will never forget with my teammates. The energy on the field was electrifying, which made that win even more special.”

The girls put in a lot of work throughout the season and during pre-season in the summer. Communication and trust are just two aspects that make up the game of field hockey.

The players worked hard to keep that bond on and off the field through pasta parties before big games, movie nights and pool parties.

“I think as a team we became close and got to know each other during pre-season, which helped us with our chemistry and communication on the field,” said Moreno, another captain. “This year our team bonding activities really helped. The team bonded very quickly and had a lot of fun from the start, which made it an easier game on the field, trusting one another.” 

Players have to balance school, work and field hockey. The team practiced Monday through Friday. 2:45 to 4:30 p.m., with the exception of game days. On Saturdays, the girls either woke up bright and early for a morning practice or they got ready for a game. 

“It is definitely tough balancing extracurriculars and school during the season,” Fama said. “As someone who takes multiple Advanced Placement classes on top of several leadership positions in clubs and a part-time job, it is super important to stay in a routine.

“Our coaches are very understanding and always emphasize that schoolwork comes first. During the season, I often find myself utilizing any free time during the day to get work done. Especially without a study hall, it’s important to stay regimented and organized.”

Players vow that they will continue to work hard before and during the next season so that they might do even better.

“Our team as a whole has grown tremendously from the beginning to the end,” said Hopek, another captain. “We pushed ourselves to our limits in order to go far in sectionals. We gained chemistry on the field and developed a sense of trust among the team.”