The field hockey teams at The Lawrenceville School and Lawrence High School prospered this season.
Lawrenceville once again proved to the be the premier team in Mercer County as well as in New Jersey among prep schools. Lawrence also shined, including an undefeated finish in the Colonial Valley Conference.
Lawrenceville captured its fourth straight Mercer County Tournament championship when it edged Stuart Country Day School, 1-0, in the title game on Oct. 19. Caroline Foster’s goal, which came in the first half, was the game’s lone score.
Lawrenceville then focused on the Prep A state tournament championship.
Lawrenceville knocked out Hun School, 6-0, in the Prep A state semifinals on Oct. 23 behind Caitlin Hovver, who connected on two goals.
The Big Red then wrapped up a sixth consecutive Prep A state championship with a 4-1 victory over Blair Academy on Oct. 30. Hoover, Olivia Koch, Bridy Molyneaux and Lizzie Huesman each put in a goal during the the championship game against Blair.
The triumph over Blair in the title game left Lawrenceville with a final record of 14-1. The only setback suffered by the Big Red came on Sept. 20 when Moorestown High School scored a 2-1 victory.
Lawrenceville then ripped off victories in its final 12 games of the season.
Lawrenceville produced a total of 61 goals and 30 assists. Its low goal total was sustained by its defense and goaltending, which delivered 135 saves.
Lawrence High ended its season with a a 15-5-1 overall record and a 11-0-1 mark in the Colonial Valley Conference.
One had to question whether Lawrence’s season could have been even more impressive.
In the 15th game of the season on Oct. 8 during a loss at Princeton High School, Talia Schenck, one of the most prolific scorers in Mercer County, broke her ankle. Schenck was loss for the season after she had already amassed 45 goals.
The Cardinals did advance to the semifinal round of the Central Jersey, Group 2 sectional tournament when they pitched a 5-0 shutout over Manasquan High School in the quarterfinals. Haley Adamczak scored twice and Jamie Slutzky, Ola Kwasniwski and Jenna Cahill each delivered a goal in that victory for Lawrence.
Lawrence’s season then came to an end in the state sectional semifinals when Seneca High School registered a 7-0 victory.
Seneca went on to win the state sectional title with a 2-0 victory over Wall Township High School. Seneca eventually lost to West Essex Regional High School, 3-2, in the Group 2 state championship game.
Earlier in the season, the Cardinals advanced to the quarterfinals of the Mercer County Tournament whey they were eliminated by Stuart Day.
Lawrence as a team recorded 103 goals and 50 assists during the season. After Schenck’s 45 goals, Adamczack accounted for 13 goals. The team also collected 390 total saves.
