By BRIAN TORTELLA
Correspondent
@tortreports on Instagram
It’s reasonable to say Britney Ewan had no idea what she was getting herself into back in 2006, when the 25-year-old was at the beginning of her coaching journey.
A 2000 Millville High graduate who starred in field hockey, Ewan had just finished her undergraduate degree in Health and Exercise Science at Rowan University and started teaching Health and Physical Education in the Clearview Regional School District.
When the head field hockey coaching position opened up at the Gloucester County school, it was a no-brainer to take over a program in search of some hardware. Prior to her arrival, the team had never won a sectional or state championship.
Fast forward 20 years.
Now, one of the most respected coaches in the region, Ewan has since directed Clearview to six sectional titles and four Group 3 state championships the last two decades, including a current streak of three consecutive state crowns since 2023. The program’s first state title came in 2019.
Now, after her sustained success in turning Clearview into a state-known dynasty, Ewan is one win away from achieving a lofty milestone — 300 career wins. Her first crack at it comes in Thursday’s season opener against Egg Harbor Township.
“She came in when I was a junior and we went from not even making playoffs when I played to this dynasty she created at this point. I’ve been there through all of it,” said longtime assistant coach Jaclyn Guth, who played for Ewan her junior and senior seasons from 2006 to 2007. “She came in and was ready to completely revamp the program. Once you see her direction and commitment and how she can take teams that are barely making playoffs to winning records, it truly is remarkable when you think about it.”
According to Guth, Ewan is the winningest female head coach in Clearview history.
“It was a level of the game that none of us have ever seen before,” she recalled, reminiscing about when Ewan took the helm her final two seasons. “She took the old school ‘stop-and-hit-the-ball’ to the game you see today. The level she has risen through this program to is unmatched. Three hundred wins is a feat that not many people have.”
That couldn’t be more true. Entering this season, Ewan is ranked as the 42nd winningest coach in state history with her 299-87-23 record. If the Pioneers match their win total from last year, she would shoot all the way up to No. 34. She is currently the fifth-winningest active coach in the state and South Jersey’s current No. 1 active wins leader.
West Essex coach Jill Cosse — who sits atop of the active list with an incredible 600-57-14 record since her tenure began in 1997 — has befriended Ewan since Clearview burst on the scene on a state-wide level during the better part of the past decade.
“Britney is one of the finest coaches and finest persons in the game of field hockey,” Cosse said. “She has such a pure heart and love for the game. I’ve enjoyed becoming her friend over the years I’ve known her. I’ve enjoyed her honesty and commitment to the game.”
Cosse also credited Ewan’s commitment to being heavily involved in club field hockey and contributed that to her consistent success at the high school level.
“She got involved in the U.S. and club scene. You have to really do all of those things to help raise the bar on your programs,” Cosse explained. “We have a small world of field hockey and we have kept crossing circles.
“Britney has never compromised her own standards for the program.”
As for the present, Ewan will have her hands full in search of an unprecedented fourth consecutive state title, and the challenge will be even tougher this time around with Cosse’s West Essex squad — which has won the last seven Group 2 state titles — moving to Group 3 competition starting this fall.
After Clearview finished 22-3 last season, the Pioneers lost several Division I commits to graduation. Ella Gandy (Rutgers), Addi McConnell (Rider), and goalie Marissa Buck (Colgate) headlined a loaded senior class that was a pivotal part of the last three state crowns.
The Pioneers do return sophomore star Blair Eber, who led all rookies in the state with 41 goals last fall. Eber is expected to spearhead a talented young core — which includes Ewan’s incoming freshman daughter, Rilyn Rabbai — in search of a four-peat.
However, if you take anything from all of Ewan’s previous teams, you know this one will surely be ready.
Note: Britney Ewan will go for 300 career wins as Clearview hosts Egg Harbor Township in its season opener on Thursday, Sept. 3, at 4 p.m.
