By BRIAN TORTELLA
Correspondent
On X @tortreports
MULLICA HILL — One year ago today, Blair Eber was in eighth grade at Lower Alloways Creek Middle School, deep in the farmland of Salem County.
A skilled field hockey player, Eber faced a life-changing decision: where would she attend high school the following academic year?
At the time, she was leaning towards Woodstown, a Group 1 school where several of her friends were enrolling — and one much closer to home.
That changed when her parents, Dustin and Jenni Eber, brought up the possibility of attending Clearview Regional — the two-time defending Group 3 state field hockey champions.
“I was on the edge because I played rec with them (Clearview) for two or three years. I was on the edge but leaning toward Woodstown, more because of my friends (there) and I wasn’t as good as I am today,” Eber said. “It was definitely a whole year decision going into this year. When my parents brought up the possibility of going to Clearview, I definitely worked harder because now they’re paying for me to go here.”
It certainly wasn’t an easy decision, but she said she’s grateful she made it.
Now a freshman, Eber has played astonishingly well for a program that has a rich history of success. She’s scored a team-high 23 goals through 13 games this season, helping lead Clearview, ranked No. 2 in South Jersey, to a 12-1 record.
On Tuesday, she notched four unanswered goals as the Pioneers rallied from a 1-0 deficit to earn a 4-1 triumph over Tri-County Royal Divisional rival and No. 4-ranked Kingsway. It was their first season sweep over the Dragons — three-time defending Group 4 state champions — in eight years.
“It really means a lot because coach (Ewan) really wanted us to beat them because winning this game would bring us to the conference title,” Eber said. “As a team, we pushed toward that. Our first game against Kingsway was great and we made it even better this time. As a team we watched film just to prepare. We worked all around their strengths and weaknesses, and that’s why we won. We won as a team.”
The Pioneers own an unblemished 12-0 record against in-state opponents, with their only loss coming to Sacred Heart (KY) on Sept. 20 at the MAX Field Hockey Invitational, a high-level showcase featuring some of the best teams in the region. Kingsway slumped to 3-8 with the loss but plays one of the toughest schedules in the region.
“Listen, our girls come in with a mindset that you don’t ever take any team lightly,” Clearview coach Britney Ewan said. “They (Kingsway) have a very tough schedule this year. You can’t always go by the record that a team is carrying for that season. We both came into this game with a mission. We both had something to play for. They’re trying to continue to push through their season. We wanted to win the conference title back.”
And for the first time since 2017, the Pioneers are back in the driver’s seat to snatch that title.
“We have a tough schedule. We play tough teams. Group 3 is not easy,” Ewan said. “The biggest thing is that they all know how to rise to the occasion. Even though we came out a little slow in the first half as far as finding the goal, because we had many shots on goal, we dominated every quarter.”
Rise to the occasion, they have — thanks in large part to Eber. She’s been the scoring threat the Pioneers knew they’d need this season to make another run at the state crown.
After losing star forward Alaina Lomonaco — who scored 37 percent of the team’s goals in 2024 — to graduation, Eber has unquestionably filled that role, even to an extent that may have surpassed most expectations.
“She’s amazing. She’s a workhorse. She will do anything she needs to do for her team. She’s not a selfish player at all, but she also knows how to put the ball in the cage,” Ewan said. “I knew she would come in and have a big impact for sure. I knew it was possible (for her to perform at the level she is), but it’s hard to tell from year to year. I think she’s exceeded a lot of expectations, even her own.”
Ewan, who has coached at Clearview for 20 seasons and made three state title runs, doesn’t like to compare her past players with the present. But even she admitted that Eber may be the best rookie she’s ever coached.
“So far, basing it off of freshman year, I think she is one of the strongest freshmen I’ve ever had,” Ewan said. “She is 100 percent an amazing player.”
Eber woke up this morning at 5:30 a.m. — earlier than most adults — and hopped in the passenger seat of her mom’s car and made the 27-mile, 42-minute trek to the Gloucester County school.
That’s now a routine she repeats every single day.
“I feel like everyone’s like, ‘Oh you live 40 minutes away,’ and I say, ‘Well, yeah — that’s why I bust my butt sometimes. That’s literally why I come here: just to play field hockey, and obviously the education,” Eber said. “I don’t want to play down on myself even though I live 40 minutes away. That’s why I give 100 percent effort.”
There will be many more early mornings and late nights during the next four years for the 14-year-old star.
But the memories made, and potential state titles won, will make every second worth it.
“I’m very happy I made this decision. It was a great decision,” Eber said. “Woodstown would’ve been very close and so much easier for me, but all my friends and this team make it worth it.
“It was very tough, but I’m glad this was the result in the end.”
WHAT’S NEXT: Clearview hosts Williamstown on Thursday at 6 p.m. Kingsway travels to Haddonfield on Friday at 4 p.m.
