WTHS Field Hockey Roundup

Coming off a string of successful seasons, the expectations for the Washington Township High School Field Hockey team were significantly lower than the team is used to. After graduating numerous seniors, much of the team was wary about how they would perform this year.

But on the shoulders of senior captain and goalie Natalie Ricevuto, the Minutemaids were able to boast a winning season, and advance further in the playoffs than expected.

The team finished with an overall record of 10-8-2 (5-5 conference record), up against arguably the toughest competition in the state with teams like Eastern (who have won eighteen consecutive group four state championships) and parochial league powerhouse Bishop Eustace in their schedule.

Despite this, Ricevuto finished with a whopping 186 saves on the season (285 career saves), and kept the maids in close games through the season.

The defensive efforts of senior Shannon Coghlan also helped the cause and along with her seven goals on the season, highlighted the depth of this senior class.

“It was a really different feel this season with all the new starters, but as with every other year, we adjusted and were able to play well on both sides of the field”, Coghlan said.

However, the maids were eliminated in the quarter final round of the NJSIAA Group four South Jersey sectional tournament with a devastating 2-1 loss to Shawnee. But as they had done all season, they played with grit and determination, even shutting out the Renagades for all but the first twelve minutes of the contest.

With returning players like rising junior Julia Patrone, and rising senior Nadia Foderaro the maids are looking to return to these winning ways in the coming years, and as all field hockey teams in the state, their goal will be to take down Eastern’s team and win a group four state title.