Eagles victorious in first two games.
By: John E. Powers
Andi Burroughs, the first-year head field hockey coach at South Hunterdon Regional High School, has returned to the Eagles’ program the way she left it as a player: South is winning.
Burroughs, who graduated from South Hunterdon early in 2003, and helped the team win the North Jersey Section I-II title in the fall of 2002 and make it to the state Group I final, has led the current Eagles to wins over Belvidere (2-0) and Delaware Valley (2-1) to open the season.
Junior left wing Christina Aiello and senior center-forward Devon Shire scored the goals in the season opener and senior center mid Tory Marley assisted on both. Senior captain and keeper Lauren Mitchell got the shutout.
Mitchell had 10 saves and sophomore Stephanie Davis got the game-winner in overtime as South beat Delaware Valley 2-1 last Friday. Senior Cherish Brown scored in regulation. Mitchell made 10 saves.
"It’s awesome," said Burroughs, a Richard Stockton University graduate, who also played college field hockey "I was really thrilled with the two wins. We have gotten everybody on the same page, the kids are working together. That’s a big key to being successful."
"I was a player for 10 years and I’m so proud of them," said Burroughs, who played under former longtime South coach Thyra Zengel. "I want to be out there with them."
Burroughs, who’s being assisted by Colleen Perry, is working as an instructional aide in special needs at South.
"I’m there working full time; I’m there every day, so I can keep a close eye on them and be on top of them academically if I need to be," said Burroughs, who replaced Zengel earlier this year.
The schedule will be very busy this week. The Eagles were scheduled to face Skyland Conference newcomer Mount St. Mary Academy of Watchung on Tuesday at home, play longtime divisional rival Somerville today, then play another league newcomer Bernards Saturday at 11 a.m. Burroughs said she hasn’t heard much about the new programs.
"I really haven’t heard a buzz about a particular team," Burroughs said. "We should be looking at every opponent as a top contender. We’re not taking anybody too lightly. Everybody comes out differently every year and I’ve told the kids that the team you see early in the year might not be the same one we see later. They tend to be a lot better the second time around."
South Hunterdon’s opponents could be saying the same thing.

