Some may look at Kingsway Regional’s seven losses this past fall and think that the field hockey program is on a downward slide. If the Dragons keep cranking out players like Karlie Mertz, they’ll keep competing for, and winning, state championships.
Mertz was the most dynamic scorer the Dragons had, leading the team with 55 points (20 goals, 15 assists) and propelling Kingsway to another Group 4 state championship with a 2-1 win over Montclair. Mertz scored multiple goals seven times as a senior, and in the playoffs all she did was score nine goals and add six assists in five games.
For her career, Mertz racked up 71 goals, including 22 as a sophomore and 18 more as a junior, and added 31 assists. She also helped lead Kingsway to three straight state championships. And, as a four-year starter, she helped lead the Dragons to 74 victories.