By BRIAN TORTELLA
Correspondent
@tortreports on Instagram
Ella Morelli faced a difficult decision during the offseason.
After committing to the University of Virginia this summer, the South Jersey field hockey star knew she needed a change in scenery.
Morelli, who resides in Columbus, had grown up through the Mansfield Township school system and attended Northern Burlington County Regional High for the first two years of her stellar career, scoring 59 goals over that time frame — including a whopping 40-goal campaign last fall.
Realizing that competing against a tough Olympic Conference schedule and facing nationally ranked opponents would better prepare her for the next level, Morelli and her parents decided it was best for her to transfer to Camden Catholic, which is currently ranked No. 10 in the nation by MAX Field Hockey.
“Playing better teams with a stronger team will prepare me for college,” Morelli said. “I want to be prepared for when I go into my freshman year at UVA.
“It’s better to be with people who are good. You can’t just be the best on the team. You need other people to be great, and working with those people makes you better.”
Morelli’s 40 goals led all sophomores in the Garden State in 2025 and ranked 11 goals higher than the next closest on the list. However, scoring isn’t everything, especially at the next level.
“Where she’s going, she needs to be ready,” Camden Catholic coach Mark Vittese said. “Her goal is to play at Virginia. If you want to play for Virginia, you’re going to need all the (preparation). The teams we play — Oak Knoll, Notre Dame — you’re going to see all of those teams in college.
“If you can’t hang with them in high school, you’re probably not going to hang with them in college. This is where you have to learn to do it.”
The difference in competition has been eye-popping. For reference, the only state-ranked team Northern Burlington faced during the regular season last year was West Deptford, which is ranked No. 12 in New Jersey. In comparison, Camden Catholic has already played the Nos. 5, 17, 18 and 20 teams in the state, along with two out-of-state opponents this fall. Three more nationally ranked opponents await the Irish on the remainder of the regular-season schedule.
Morelli has four goals and four assists through 11 contests this fall, a significant difference from last year. However, the level of competition she’s facing is preparing her for playing at the Division I level two years down the line, she said.
“It’s not just about goals, it’s a team effort,” Morelli said. “Yeah, I did have a lot of goals, but here I’m looking to get better, work with my team and get the goals as a team.”
In the offseason, Morelli plays club hockey with a handful of Camden Catholic’s starting roster, making the school an even more attractive destination. University of Pennsylvania commit Lyla Klopp, one of Morelli’s best friends, was very influential in her decision to switch, Morelli said.
Playing for Camden Catholic also gives her a high chance to contend for something she didn’t really have the opportunity to at Northern Burlington — a state title. The Irish have reached the Non-Public A state final in each of the last five seasons, matching up with Oak Knoll in all five. After winning back-to-back crowns in 2022 and 2023, they’ve been outscored 8-1 by the Royals in the finals the last two years.
Alongside Rutgers commit Sophia Stazi, sophomore star Molly Gillern, Klopp and the rest of the Irish’s star-studded roster, Morelli hopes to flip the script next month. The state finals are scheduled for Nov. 14 at Bordentown.
“We want to keep working as a team and working hard,” Morelli said. “Every game matters, no matter who we play. Working hard every day, putting in the work, and being a team. Hopefully we’ll be in the state final again.”
While the offseason decision ultimately wasn’t easy, Morelli said she knows it was best for her future.
“It’s my hometown,” Morelli said of leaving Northern Burlington. “I miss my friends and all the girls I played with there, but I like it here, too. It was definitely a big adjustment but it’s going great so far.
“It’s going to pay off in the long term.”
WHAT’S NEXT: Camden Catholic (10-1, ranked No. 3 in the state by nj.com) hosts Kingsway Regional (ranked No. 9) on Wednesday at 4 p.m.
