Senior Day for Shore field hockey

By Walter J. O’Neill, Jr

Last week the field hockey team of Shore Regional High School hosted and beat the Ranney School 12-0 in a Shore Conference Class B Central divisional game.

The day belonged to the eight seniors on the Blue Devils as they were recognized along with their parents before the start of the game. Kaitlyn Hunter, Kelsey O’Neill, Nicole and Victoria LaMorte, Anna Cooper, Katie Lamb, Molly Santi and Lauren Maul are the Blue Devils who honored.

“The eight seniors this year are all unique, but collectively as a unit, I am proud of the way they have come together as a class to continue on with the traditions of our program,” said Kelly Koenig, head coach. “It’s always a great challenge each year for the senior class to defend the division title, and work towards a Shore Conference Tournament and state run.”

Shore won their 46th consecutive divisional title this season, a state record. “Our seniors have grown in their maturity and worked to elevate their game and our team game,” added Koenig.

With the win over Ranney the Blue Devils improved to 15-1-1 this year. Here is how the scoring went in the victory; at 3:34 Maggie Lamb off an assist by Kaitlyn Hunter. At 10:17 Hunter scored the second goal. Talia Contaffa had the third goal at 11:25. Maggie Lamb scored the fourth Devils goal at 12:12. At 20:47 Lily Santi had the fifth goal of the first half. Four minutes later Abby Kopec scored with an assist by Santi. The last goal of the first half was slammed in by Maul off an assist by O’Neill.

The second half the first of the additional five goals was scored at 31:15 by Santi with another O’Neill assist. Victoria LaMorte scored ninth goal of the game at 33:08.  Kopec had her second and overall tenth goal of the game at 35:52. Santi scored her hat trick goal of the game at 36:30 and the last score was at 43:00 by Emmalee Olsen. The Blue Devils had an impressive 69-0 shot on goal advantage.

“I can’t believe my four years on Shore Regional field hockey is coming to an end,” said O’Neill. “It feels like just yesterday I was on my way to my first practice with my sister, Molly, who was a senior at the time. She told me not to be scared, but believe me I was terrified.” What had her shaking was head coach at the time, legendary Nancy Williams.
“I watched Shore play as an audience member for years and I had a good gist of what to expect but I was still a clueless little freshman who was scared out of my mind,” added O’Neill. Carol Middow and Grace Santi were other seniors during Kelsey O’Neill’s freshman year. They along with her big sister Molly gave her advice on Williams and what to expect. “Coach Williams can be a little intimidating, but I soon learned it wasn’t as scary as I thought it would be.”

During her sophomore year the team transitioned as Williams retired and Kelly Koenig took over. “Coach Kelly has not failed in leading us to victory, stepping into the head coach position, and keeping the traditions alive,” O’Neill said.

“My four years of playing field hockey at Shore Regional High School is an experience that I would not trade anything else for. From freshman to senior year, I was able to play alongside many great teammates that I looked up to on and off the field,” said Victoria LaMorte. The traditions, bonds and friendship are something that LaMorte will never forget. “Everyone is always working hard to help one another and that what makes Shore regional a great program to play for.” Next year she will continue her hockey at Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Maul gives credit to the coaches over the last four years. “I have played since I was a freshman and I have learned a lot from being part of such a great program. The coaches at Shore Regional teach us how to understand the game and the skills that are needed to be a good player on the field,” said Maul. She added that the coaches taught her lessons that will last a lifetime and could not be learned in a classroom. “I have matured throughout the four years that I have been involved in the program. I have learned what it means to be accountable, putting others before yourself, how to work together even when it might be challenging and how not to be selfless.”

Katie Lamb recalls when she was in middle school she attended a Shore team camp every summer. “I couldn’t wait to finally be able to play for Shore. What amazed me most when I was a freshman was the structure of the program,” said Lamb. She spoke about how everyone is held to a high standard and expected to put the team first. “The team is bigger than any of us. We have had to learn to step up and work hard in order to keep the traditions alive.”

Family and tradition is what Hunter remembers of her time as a Devil. “As a freshman, I did not know what to expect but as the season went on I realized, it is not just being a part of a team, it is being part of a family. I think it is the traditions that drive us to work harder because we know it is not just about ourselves, it is about playing for each other and the alumni who have worn our jerseys in the past,” said Hunter. She added that playing on the team has also helped her be accountable, prepared, respectful and hardworking.

One senior was on the fence during her freshman year if she was going to play or not. Anna Cooper was a competitive dancer since she was nine and never played the sport before. “I was simply looking for a way to make friends and get involved, which I did,” said Cooper. She added that getting up at 6 a.m., running sprints, and practicing for hours brings people together. “I made friends, but this program has proved to do much more for me. I quickly gained a love for the sport which was not hard as I was surrounded by coaches and teammates that were extremely passionate about what they were doing. I also learned that although an action may seem small and not important, everything you do has an impact.”

“The first day of practice as a freshman, I knew little about the legacy and the importance of being a part of this program. It was not until I realized Shore Regional field hockey was not like any of the other high school teams,” said Nicole LaMorte. The dedication of every player is what makes wearing a Blue Devils jersey important to each individual according to LaMorte.

“The traditions that are kept alive year after year serve a greater purpose than just being a part of a team.” She will also be going to Fairleigh Dickinson University along with her sister Victoria.

“Over these four years we have made some amazing accomplishments as a team,” added O’Neill. They won three consecutive state championships and reaching the SCT final three times and winning during her freshman year.

“As the summer concluded I knew this was my last and final season as a Blue Devil and I was determined to make it the best one.” O’Neill has committed to Fairfield University to play hockey.