For all but a selected few teams in the state tournament, the season ends with a defeat.
And while the Allentown High School field hockey team saw its season come to an end with a 1-0 loss to Ocean City in the Group III state semifinals, it can’t put a damper on what the Redbirds accomplished this season.
”We had an awesome season,” Allentown coach Mary Ellen McCarthy said. “Hayley Peterson with 21 saves, she had a heck of a game. We just couldn’t get our attack going, but the defense played well.”
After capturing the Central Jersey Group III title with a win over Moorestown, the Redbirds had hopes of playing for a state championship. But they fell behind Ocean City, 1-0, and could never get the goal to get even.
”I thought we were going to answer their early run,” McCarthy said. “Then in the first 10 minutes of the second half we were on offense and got a couple corners in a row. We just couldn’t connect. It was a great game. It’s a state championship game and we held our own. I am very proud of my girls.
”All the girls played 100 percent and Allentown represented the sport of field hockey very well. We are young (three seniors) and played well. We’ll be back.”
The Redbirds finished the season 19-2, with its only losses coming against Ocean City and Lawrenceville.
”I couldn’t have asked for more,” McCarthy said. “Division champs, Central Jersey champs, it was a great year.”

