Bring on the NJSIAA tournament! That was the cheer for coach Patti Nicholson and her 14-2 New Egypt High School field hockey team, the defending NJSIAA Central Jersey Group I state sectional champions.
The Warriors clinched their eighth straight Burlington County Scholastic League Freedom Division title with a pair of shutout victories last week over Delran, 4-0, and Burlington City, 5-0, and closed the regular season with a strong 4-2 victory on Oct. 22 over Rancocas Valley as a primer to prepare for the postseason.
The NJSIAA state tournament begins today, Oct. 29.
Nicholson said her program at the Plumsted high school is a “hockey family” whose tradition for success has built quickly. In nine varsity seasons, New Egypt has never had a losing season and has conference titles in all but the first season, four state sectional championships that include last season, and an overall Group I state title in 2005.
“They believe they can win and like the tradition. They know New Egypt field hockey is good and like it to be there,” said Nicholson. “As the person who started the program, I knew it was important to start tradition. I’m proud of the program.”
New Egypt has qualified for the state tournament in all nine of its varsity seasons, and with this year’s showcase beginning on Oct. 29, this team thrives with only two seniors in the lineup.
“My team this year is very young, but they work in the offseason, they go to camps and clinics and play travel,” said Nicholson. “So they are willing to do the extra stuff; they come into the season in shape and are unselfish, a lot of good athletes. Right now, they are signing up for winter leagues.”
With nine players graduated off the 2008 team, two of those young players this season have led the scoring — sophomore Cortney Natalicchio had 15 goals and seven assists going into the final two games, and Kayla Soles, a junior, had 13 goals.
“Cortney has great speed and excellent stick work,” said Nicholson. “She has a nose for the goal, is always in the right place. Kayla is very fast and very strong and hits the ball like a rocket.”
Katie Francis, one of the two seniors in the lineup, is the starting goalie, and Danielle Solinski, a sophomore, has played in half the games because of the large margins of victory. Combined, they have a dozen shutouts this season.
New Egypt’s losses came at the hands of Collingswood, 4-2, and Florence, 1-0.
The only problem with success is the frustration that league rules prohibit any team from scoring again after its seventh goal. New Egypt had that happen three times this season, all in the first half.
Nicholson said the rule, which also applies to soccer, puts her players at a competitive disadvantage when it comes to playing time and statistical standing among the state leaders.
The team carries a theme each season, and this year the theme is “magic.” A magician came to the Warriors’ first pasta party that they enjoy on a regular basis.
“It’s about believing in something. They’re young, so it’s important for them to believe in themselves,” said Nicholson. “It’s important to make it fun so when they look back, it’s a very positive memory for them.
“When they think back, I want them to think it’s something important and something positive. When you make it important, they win because it matters to them. I’ve never had a problem with kids being late or missing practice, because they want to be there,” the coach said.
Along with Natalicchio and Soles, juniors Gianna Andreula and Katelynn Bishoff have contributed eight and four goals, respectively, going into the Burlington City game. Freshman Sara Perkins, who comes off the bench, has six goals.
“Gianna is the workhorse,” said Nicholson. “She cuts to every ball, every minute of every game. She causes things to happen. She missed the entire season last year with a broken hand after playing three games, but she is huge in our success this year.
“The important thing when you look at the forwards is that they all score, which makes us difficult to stop,” said Nicholson. “When you key on one, the others can score. They are very talented and they are all back.”
The midfield likewise has good balance with all three starters in junior Emily Bausher, who has four goals, and junior Karly Ossowski, while junior Jamie Van- DerTuyn alternates with sophomore Shelby Brevogel in the other spot.
The back line has been solid throughout the season with senior Andie Fennimore, with three goals and three assists, and juniors Nicole Coyne and Kaitin Probasco. Freshman Alexis Magnotta sees significant playing time off the bench.