By BRIAN TORTELLA

Correspondent

On X @tortreports

WOOLWICH TOWNSHIP — On a team filled with underclassmen, seniors Grace Hunter and Karlie Mertz led the way in what was yet another huge test for the Kingsway Regional High field hockey team on Tuesday as the No. 2 state-ranked Dragons edged No. 11 Washington Township, 2-0.

Hunter recorded the game’s final goal with 11:30 remaining in the fourth quarter on a penalty stroke, and assisted on Mertz’s goal in the first half. The University of Michigan commit now has four goals through seven games so far this season, but for her, it’s not about the stats. 

“A big piece of this season for us has been the momentum,” Hunter said. “When we have good vibes and good energy as a team, we want to ride that high as long as we can. I think it comes down to our mindset and all being on the same page. Wanting to win it, wanting to work together. A win is a win, regardless of the score — we understand that it’s not our best game, but we’re going to take our wins and we’re just looking to get better every game and work together every game. For me, it’s not about stats, really — it’s more about the team. It’s not my name reflecting on the goal, it’s the team’s (name) reflecting on the goal.”

Said coach Dana Ott, “Grace Hunter is just a ‘stud muffin’. You tell her to do something, she’ll do it. She’s really doing well stepping in for the big shoes we need to fill.”

The defending Group 4 state champions have faced a daunting schedule so far this season, taking on local powerhouses like Haddonfield, Clearview and now Washington Township. They also participated in the MAX Field Hockey National High School Invitational recently — getting the opportunity to face off against national powers at The Proving Grounds in Pennsylvania. They split in two games there, losing 4-1 to Darien (Connecticut).

“We have to work a lot harder this year for what we want,” Mertz said. “To keep everything up. I know we took a long time to get some goals in, but we make it worth it with the win.”

The Dragons (6-1, 4-0 Tri-County Royal) may be having some growing pains navigating life on the field without 2024  Division 1 graduates Sabrina McGroarty (a freshman at the University of Iowa and 2023 NJ Advance Media Player of the Year) and Mary Wordelmann, who’s now at the University of Louisville in Kentucky. 

Growing pains may be a good thing, though. And according to coach Ott, when the Dragons lose, they learn.

“It was awesome,” Ott said of the tournament. “That MAX Invitational brings a different kind of energy and excitement. It’s nice to play different competition out of state. If you’re losing, you’re learning. That’s what we took away from it. This team became a family after that weekend for a lot of reasons. I’m proud of the changes that they’re making from that tournament.”

“It was a great team effort for us today,” she continued, speaking of the 2-0 Township victory. “I’m proud of every girl that stepped up in different roles.”

While Hunter and Mertz had themselves a day, there have been plenty of underclassmen who have performed throughout the first month of the season for the Dragons. Isabella Sanchez (Junior, 11 goals), Sophie Brown (Junior, four goals) and first-year goalie Sophia Mazzarella (junior, 26 saves) have all made an impact for the Dragons.

So is coach Ott excited for the rest of the season and a tough upcoming stretch that includes matchups against Camden Catholic on Thursday and Clearview and Oak Knoll in the coming weeks?

“Of course, it’s field hockey season!”, she said euthanistically. “I have a really great team, really great coaches. It can’t be any better than that, right?”

Click this link to watch the full post-game video interview with Hunter and Mertz:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DAmQee_xxHZ/?igsh=aHhyazg2YnBpb2Nu

Click this link to watch the new ‘Sideline Snippets’ series, where correspondent Brian Tortella hands a Go-Pro video camera stick to players after the game and they’ll talk about the victory:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DAmZKTcNGuU/?igsh=MXBydDJmNnpiYnFpZQ==

WHAT’S NEXT: Kingsway travels to Camden Catholic on Thursday at 4 p.m. Washington Township (9-1-1, 4-1 Tri-County Royal) travels to Shawnee on Tuesday at 4 p.m.