Two early losses, including a surprising defeat at the hands of Southern Regional High School, put Shore Regional High School’s field hockey team in unfamiliar territory to start the 2015 season. With four consecutive wins since then, the Blue Devils showed why they are a postseason contender.
A year after snapping the Blue Devils’ string of 15 consecutive Shore Conference Tournament titles, Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School beat its rival once again to begin the season. The Bulldogs edged Shore Regional, 3-2, by converting a penalty corner into the game-winning goal after time expired.
Shore Regional again came up short just three days later. The Blue Devils dropped another 3-2 decision to Southern Regional, which reached the NJSIAA South Jersey Group IV finals in 2014. It was an inauspicious start for the Blue Devils, who are looking to complete the program’s second three-peat in the state tournament. Last season, Shore Regional won its second straight Group I championship when it squeaked by Collingswood High School, 2-1, in the finals. The year ended for the Blue Devils when they were shut out by Rumson-Fair Haven, 6-0, in the Tournament of Champions.
“We definitely had a challenging first game that didn’t go in our favor in the final minute,” head coach Kelly Koenig said. “We had a couple of injuries to key players, but everybody is back and healthy.”
At full strength, the Blue Devils have bounced back from their initial struggles. Shore Regional earned victories over Ridge High School, Ranney School, Keyport High School and Lawrenceville School behind the leadership of standout midfielder Jessica Welch and Monmouth University-bound Annie Deusch.
Koenig said the experience Shore Regional’s veterans bring to the team is making a noticeable difference on the field.
“They know what to expect,” she said.
Four of the five seniors on this year’s squad are returning starters.
In the 3-1 win over Ridge, Deusch posted a hat trick to lead the Blue Devils to their first win of 2015. She also contributed a goal in Shore Regional’s 4-0 shutout against Lawrenceville, joining Welch, Maggie Lamb and Kelsey O’Neill, who also scored.
Welch, who committed to play for Stanford University next year, played a central role in Shore Regional’s 21-4-2 season in 2014. She scored 58 goals and added 17 assists, and the National Field Hockey Coaches Association selected her as a third-team All- American. Before the 2015 season opened, MAXFieldHockey.com put Welch on its list of the 12 best players in the country.
Deusch is a top defender and a weapon on offense. Her 19 goals were a boost to Shore Regional’s attack last season.
Another key player on the defensive side is senior goalie Sarah Dwyer, who played for the USA Field Hockey U-17 National Team after recording 107 saves as a junior. Dwyer committed to Boston College.
The Blue Devils were scheduled to return to the field Sept. 21 at Henry Hudson Regional High School. Shore Regional will host St. Rose High School Sept. 25 before a trip to Voorhees High School Sept. 26.
“We’re working a lot on our defensive positioning,” Koenig said, adding that Shore Regional’s counterattack is another area where the team can improve as the season moves forward.