Pennington School Wins First Prep B Field Hockey Championship

The Pennington School field hockey team achieved a historic milestone by clinching its first ever Prep B championship on March 15, 2024. The Red Hawks secured a hard-fought victory against Montclair Kimberley Academy (MKA), winning the match 2-1 in a thrilling contest hosted at their home ground.

Coach Kristin McCarthy expressed immense pride in her team’s performance, emphasizing that the championship had been a primary goal since the previous season. “We had this circled on our calendar since last year,” McCarthy stated. The victory marks a significant turnaround after the Red Hawks faced disappointment in the finals for the past two years.

The win elevates the Red Hawks’ record to 15-2, with their only defeats coming against nationally ranked teams, Hill and Moorestown. Notably, the team has demonstrated exceptional form, winning eight consecutive matches while conceding just two goals in that span.

In the championship match, senior Genevieve Vallieres and freshman Clara Meccage provided the crucial goals for Pennington. Vallieres opened the scoring by converting a corner in the second half, giving her team a 1-0 lead. She later assisted Meccage, who skillfully maneuvered past defenders to extend the lead to 2-0. This assist marked Vallieres’ 200th career point, showcasing her remarkable talent with 84 goals and 32 assists. Vallieres is set to continue her field hockey career at the University of Louisville next season.

As the Red Hawks took the lead, the focus shifted to their defense, anchored by goalkeeper Lillian Chiaravalotti. Despite allowing one goal, the defensive unit, featuring players like Brooke Miller, Adriana Cano, and Shona Karp, effectively thwarted MKA’s attempts to equalize. Chiaravalotti’s diving save in the closing moments was pivotal in securing the championship for her team.

“It was an even game and both teams had opportunities in the circle,” McCarthy noted. “We made some great defensive plays on their corners and we had two great chances and we were able to capitalize on them. It was great.”

Looking ahead, the Red Hawks have one more game against Hun scheduled for Saturday. A win in that match could secure a second-place finish in the Mid-Atlantic Prep League, but for now, the team is reveling in their historic championship victory.

Other Teams Making Waves in South Jersey

In addition to Pennington’s triumph, other local teams also performed impressively in their respective tournaments. The No. 6 Allentown team advanced in the South Jersey Group II bracket, defeating No. 11 Middle Township with a commanding 5-0 victory. Ella Sluder, the Colonial Valley Conference’s top goal scorer, contributed significantly with two goals, bringing her career total to 197 points.

No. 6 Notre Dame also showcased strong performance, blanking Moorestown Friends 8-0 in the Non-Public South Jersey bracket. Emma McVey led the charge with a hat trick, while her teammate Clementine Bowden added a goal and four assists.

Meanwhile, No. 5 Northern Burlington achieved a dominant 10-0 win against No. 12 Toms River South, with Ella Morella leading the way with two goals and four assists. The Greyhounds are set to face No. 4 Delsea in their upcoming matchup.

The successes of these teams highlight the competitive spirit and talent within the region, promising an exciting conclusion to the field hockey season.