By BRIAN TORTELLA
Correspondent
On X @tortreports
WEST DEPTFORD — When Courtney Stetson was handed the keys to the West Deptford field hockey program, she had high expectations to live up to — and big shoes to fill.
After serving as an assistant coach for eight seasons under her former teacher and longtime mentor, Linda Decker — who amassed 438 wins in 27 seasons at the helm from 1993 to 2018 — it was Stetson’s turn to take the reins of the highly successful program.
Six years have gone by since then, and it’s clear the transition couldn’t have been more of a success.
Now in her seventh season at the helm, Stetson is on the verge of 100 career wins.
“You know, it’s not something that you get into coaching for, obviously,” said Stetson, who’s never one to take much credit. “I am very grateful and lucky to have had such successful programs. I think that we worked really, really hard.”
With Decker watching from the sidelines, the No. 3 South Jersey-ranked Eagles earned a thrilling 2-1 overtime triumph over St. Joseph Academy on Wednesday, giving Stetson career win No. 98.
“Honestly, she was always an adult. She always had everything lined up the way she wanted it, and she just followed through step by step,” said Decker, who coached Stetson back during her scholastic days. “Where she is now is not a surprise in the least. I think she should be proud of herself. She always had goals and she made the most of the time she had to reach those goals.”
A 2005 West Deptford graduate who played varsity field hockey all four years, Stetson said she couldn’t be happier to see the woman who had such a strong impact on her still coming out to support the team several years later. After Wednesday’s contest, the two caught up on the sideline for nearly 20 minutes during the JV game.
“I used to be nervous when she would come,” Stetson, a 2009 Monmouth University alum, said. “I wouldn’t want to let her down, but now it’s just really nice to have her. She was my mentor for so long. I played for her and I coached with her. I learned a lot from her.
“West Deptford lives in her heart like it does for all of us, so it’s really nice to have her here anytime she comes.”
Stella Devlin staked the Wildcats to a 1-0 lead with a goal in the second quarter, but West Deptford answered with a tally from Avery Gasparovic early in the fourth quarter, and Gabrielle Grogan notched the game-winner in overtime off an assist from Mia Morrell.
West Deptford now enters a three-game road trip against Northern Burlington on Friday, a showdown with No. 2 Clearview on Tuesday, and Collingswood on Thursday. There’s a decent chance Stetson reaches the 100-win milestone during that away stretch.
Said Grogan, a senior midfielder, “she’s been my coach since I was a freshman, and she’s always looking out for the best in us, and always making sure that we’re working hard. She works hard for us, too, and we’re really happy to have her as our coach. She always helps me. If I go to her for help, she’s always there for me. She’s always pushing me to be better. She really is one of the best coaches I’ve had.”
If you know Stetson, you know she’s not one to care about statistics. But she said she knew she was approaching the upcoming landmark.
“The only reason I’m even aware (of the upcoming milestone) is because at the beginning of the year we have to report our current record to the state,” Stetson said. “I realized I needed around 12 games to get to that number, but I don’t ask the girls to be stat driven, so I certainly don’t want to be either. My wins are their wins. I’m not the one playing. They’re doing all the work.”
As West Deptford continues its regular-season dominance, one thing is clear: under Stetson, the program hasn’t just maintained its proud tradition — it’s thriving. Under her guidance, the Eagles have won two of the last three Group 1 state championships and they own a 10-1 record through 11 games this fall.
The wins may be adding up, but it’s her dedication, commitment and strong leadership that define Stetson and her tenure. And just like the legend who came before her, Stetson is building a program that goes way beyond the scoreboard.
A culture. A tradition. And most importantly, respect.
WHAT’S NEXT: West Deptford travels to Northern Burlington on Friday at 4 p.m.
