By BRIAN TORTELLA
Correspondent
On X @tortreports
Ella Gandy recently capped off a historic senior season for the Clearview Regional High field hockey program, but she’s more than just a star player. On the field, Gandy scored 15 goals and added a team-high 28 assists to help lead the Pioneers to their third consecutive Group 3 state title.
Her play speaks for itself. But it’s the person she is off the field that truly makes her shine.
“It’s hard to describe everything about Ella in one word,” said Clearview coach Britney Ewan, who just finished her 20th season at the helm. “She’s not only one of the most talented, skilled and decorated players to come through this Clearview program, but she is one of the most selfless players to ever play the game in all of field hockey.”
“She really is truly your all-around, All-American student-athlete. She academically excels in the highest classes you can take here at Clearview, and she’s respectful, kind and always considerate of others.”
Gandy — recently named a National Field Hockey Coaches Association third-team All-American and first-team all-region selection — set career highs in every major statistical category as this 2025 squad became the first program in Clearview history, in any sport, to complete a “three-peat” with a 2-1 victory over North Hunterdon in the state final on Nov. 15.
She was also instrumental as a leader and role model for a very young team that featured 14 freshmen and four sophomores.
“Winning another state title is a dream come true. Coming into high school, I knew Clearview had a good field hockey program, but I never could have imagined winning three state championships in my high school career. I absolutely love my teammates and know that we all had to do our part in order to win another state title this year,” said Gandy, who’s never one to take much recognition and always credits the team around her. “It is such an honor to play for Clearview under coach Ewan and coach Guth. They are so amazing and always there for us. We seriously couldn’t have had so much success if it weren’t for them and their ability to keep things serious while also having a lot of fun.”
When she’s not playing field hockey, Gandy said she spends her free time giving back to the community. Along with her best friend and fellow senior, Grace Calhoun, she founded Miles for Magic, a nonprofit team dedicated to raising money for Blood Cancer United (formerly the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society), a national organization that funds research and treatment initiatives for those affected by blood cancer.
“She is determined, hardworking and she cares,” Calhoun said of Gandy. “She’s funding research that saves lives. It shows that she cares about others and wants to give back to the community.”
A Division I Rutgers University commit, Gandy said she couldn’t care less about individual stats. She’s committed to helping make the world around her a better place, and that stretches far beyond what she accomplishes on the field.
Earlier this fall, she helped organize a field hockey clinic with five other All-South Jersey players, including three from Clearview: seniors Addison McConnell, Marley Dutch and Marissa Buck. Kingsway’s Reese Samra and Camden Catholic’s Lauren Iaccio also participated. Together, they were able to teach their expertise to youth players ranging from kindergarten through eighth grade, with all of the proceeds donated directly to Blood Cancer United. Gandy also helped launch a successful clothing drive.
“I love hearing the personal stories of how organizations like Blood Cancer United have helped save lives,” she said. “I love that I get to be a small part of something that makes such a huge impact.”
“These are all the little things you don’t always hear of (about) players — specifically Ella,” Ewan said of her Miles for Magic work. “She also donates her time to the youth program to help coach and develop the younger players to eventually come up to the high school level.
“She is not worried about records. She is not worried about goals. She’s not worried about anything except her team winning the game. And she will do whatever it takes in order to help her players get there.”
Whether it’s her team on the field or her Miles for Magic one off it, Ella Gandy does whatever it takes to help everyone around her succeed.
And because of that, Rutgers is getting quite a gem.
“I like to try to get a little better at everything I do every day,” Gandy said. “I cannot wait to be part of the Rutgers field hockey team. I chose Rutgers because of their high level field hockey program and because the team and coaches feel like a second family. I’m also so happy to be close to home so my family can continue to support me.”
