After the team’s groundbreaking season, Beth English reminded her Freehold Township field hockey team there was more to play for.
“I told them to ‘finish what you started,’ ” she said.
The Patriots were putting together the best season in school history, and she didn’t want it to end in the first round of the state playoffs. Freehold Township had never won a game in the state tournament, and when Lenape made a stop in Freehold Township, it was facing a team that wasn’t content to just be there.
Playing its steady defensive game, the Pats rode Kara Cronin’s first-half goal to a historic 1-0 win.
“Everyone was hugging each other after that win,” said English, “I know it’s said a lot, but, seriously, this was such a team effort.
“We played so well defensively,” she added.
The Pats’ (12-7) bid to extend their season was ended by Steinert, 1-0, in the Central Jersey Group IV quarterfinals, but it didn’t dampen what the 2008 Patriots achieved.
“This was the best season in school history,” noted English. “We went further in the Shore Conference Tournament and state playoffs and were ranked in the top 10 for the first time.
“This group of girls was very talented and very special,” she added. “I’m very happy for seniors like Britany Schram and Mackenzie Berry, who got to end their careers on a high note.”
Defense was Freehold Township’s calling card all season. Goalie Liz Stankiewicz had shutouts and received a lot of help from the defense in front of her, led by Katie Petrillo and Cairlyn Little, who were newcomers back in September but quickly shored up the defense.
The Pats spread the scoring wealth around, led by forward Tiffany Murphy, who had 15 goals and 14 assists. Brooke Gagliano had nine goals and eight assists, and Cronin had nine goals.
Schram (midfield), Berry (midfield), Gagliano (midfield), Little and Petrillo were all selected by the Shore Conference A North Division coaches as All-A North selection. The Pats had never had more than two players named to the team before. This year they had five.
Era ends for Colonials
Freehold Borough was looking to repeat last year’s run that brought the Colonials the program’s first state sectional crown and to the Group III state final. They cleared the first hurdle easily, beating Hopewell Valley, 3-1, but lost to state-ranked Holmdel in the quarterfinals, 1-0.
The Colonials’ production line of Meghan Gibson, Karly Duven and Emily Wold made its presence felt against Hopewell Valley. Gibson had a goal and an assist while Duven and Wold each had a goal. Amy Wilson and Britney McCormick chipped in with assists.
Gibson finished the year as one of the leading scorers in the Shore with 22 goals and 13 assists. Freshman Wold was right behind with 18 goals and 14 assists.
Gibson, Duven, Wilson and other seniors like Viki Ahlers (14 goals), Nicole Terrigno (10 shutouts) were playing the final home game of their careers. They leave having taken the program further than it has ever gone before. As freshmen, they were part of a team that won the Shore Conference B North Division title, and last year they carried the Colonials to a state final. This fall, Freehold Borough went 16-4.