MCT field hockey gets underway on Saturday
By Justin Feil, Assistant Sports Editor
When the West Windsor-Plainsboro North field hockey team graduated 12 seniors last year, it left a young and inexperienced team.
With Denise Pyfrom the only returning starter for the Knights, there figured to be some growing pains. The key, though, is that the Knights have grown.
Proof of that came in a 2-2 tie against Notre Dame on Tuesday. While the Knights moved to 4-7-2, it was the first tie of the season for Notre Dame, which had won 11 of 14 games.
”We played well,” said Knights head coach Shannon Maruca. “We outshot them. It was a good game for us. Notre Dame is a tough team this year. They have a great offense and a great goalie. It was a good tie for us. It proves the point we’re improving and getting better. That’s the most important thing for us.”
WW-P North got goals from Jen Lennon and Katie McEwen, as well as 12 saves from Jackie Silva. Most of the Knights are seeing their first significant action on varsity this season.
”After what we lost last year with the 12 seniors, and year before what we lost when we went 13-0, it’s tough,” Maruca said. “But we’re enjoying working with the younger girls. We’re having fun.”
The Knights have another big chance to prove how far they have come when they open the Mercer County Tournament. The 12th seed will open at No. 5 Allentown. It’s the sort of matchup between the two not usually seen until the MCT semifinals.
”Normally, we’re a higher seed,” Maruca said. “Sometimes, we’ve even had a bye. It’s going to definitely be a test for us. We lost the first game, 3-1. The girls are excited to have a second chance. It’s a tough seed.”
Defending champion Stuart Country Day is the No. 3 seed for the MCT. The Tartans will host Ewing in the opening round. Princeton Day is the No. 7 seed and will host Hightstown, while Hun is seeded eighth and will host Hamilton. West Windsor-Plainsboro South is seeded 13th and will play at Hopewell Valley, while Princeton is seeded 15th and will play at Notre Dame.
Though the wins haven’t come as quickly as usual for the Knights, Maruca has only been encouraged by what she has seen from her team. WW-P North has gotten better with each game.
”They’re out there and they’re working hard,” Maruca said. “They want to learn. They know we have a great program. It’s exciting to see them work hard.
”I would definitely have to mention my goalkeeper, Jackie Silva,” she added of specific improvement. “She’s a junior. She was the JV goalie last year. She’s gotten better every game. The fact she’s gotten so much action helps. She’s making great decisions. Her speed is improved, her footwork. That’s the one position I can say I’m so happy she’s gotten so much better.”
Silva is just one player who has moved up significantly from last year’s level. The play in the back has helped keep the Knights in games.
”We lost from everywhere,” Maruca said. “Our defense has definitely done really well for us this year. Denise Pyfrom is back for us. She’s a junior. She’s held the defense together. Our defense and goalkeeper have been tested this year because we’re so young.
”We have a lot of sophomores who are playing. A few were on JV last year. There are some that were on the freshmen team that are playing this year. Basically we had no experience.”
The Knights have gained experience rapidly this year, and their rapid improvement makes them a more dangerous team as they enter the MCT.

