The Summit High School field hockey team etched its name in history by clinching the program's first-ever State Section championship. The Lady Hilltoppers showcased their talent, finishing with an impressive 18-5 record.
Their campaign concluded with a loss to Madison in the State Semifinals, after a remarkable nine-game winning streak against impressive opposition. Despite that loss, the players could not be more pleased with their achievements.
Field Hockey Field
Jen Schwarzenbek, in her second year as head coach, lauded the tremendous senior leadership, particularly from tri-captains Sarah Cummings, Beth Dotten, and Clare O’Malley.
Cummings, Dotten, and junior Faith Tully formed a dynamic forward line, bringing tremendous energy to the field and contributing key goals throughout the season. Sophomores Katie Birle and Caroline Cordrey stepped up to supply sturdy performance in their absence, when Sarah and Beth each missed time due to injuries.
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O’Malley, a starter since her freshman year, played the center midfield position and was recognized as one of the state’s premier hockey athletes by the end of the autumn. Clare led the SHS squad in scoring. O’Malley (like Cummings) is known for her excellent stick-handling skills, along with her tenacity and uncanny ability to quickly get to the ball. Clare is going on to play Division I field hockey at the University of Delaware.
Joining O’Malley in the starting midfield were senior Laura Schaffer, and juniors Alexa Silverstein and Maggie Arms. This quartet combined skill and speed to make major contributions both offensively and defensively.
At the defensive end, Allie Huckfeldt was another senior standout who’ll continue field hockey on the D-I level (at Lehigh University). Huckfeldt worked with junior defenders Erica Ferriso and Katie Stuke to provide stellar support in front of goaltender Kelsey Lees.
Another of the team’s eight seniors, Lees did a splendid job as a first-year starter in the cage, where she was replacing an outstanding graduate (CeCe Cramer) from last year’s team. Kelsey was a major reason why Summit enjoyed so much success this season.
Senior Ciaran Quille, along with juniors Allie Slaght, Hanna Pollinger, and Keri Enriquez, provided quality minutes off the Summit bench.
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These Lady Hilltoppers have a lot to be proud of. They lost only to three opponents - Oak Knoll (twice), Johnson (twice), and Madison - who are each ranked among New Jersey's 'Top-20' teams. Indeed, Summit was 11th in the most recent Star-Ledger statewide rankings and will likely remain in that spot when the final chart is published.
Yet most importantly, these SHS athletes demonstrated a true love for their sport. This feeling began with the seniors and will carry forward with the underclassmen.
Key Players and Their Contributions
The following table summarizes the key players and their contributions to the Summit High School field hockey team's success:
| Player Name | Position | Key Contributions |
|---|---|---|
| Sarah Cummings | Forward | Tremendous energy, key goals, excellent stick-handling skills. |
| Beth Dotten | Forward | Tremendous energy, key goals. |
| Clare O’Malley | Center Midfield | Led the team in scoring, excellent stick-handling skills, tenacity. |
| Allie Huckfeldt | Defense | Stellar support in front of the goaltender. |
| Kelsey Lees | Goaltender | Major reason for the team's success. |
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