The more things changed, the more things remained the same for Reagan Stauts and Emily Nicholls.
Camden Catholic High School’s field hockey team graduated its entire back line in addition to its starting goaltender last year and needed to quickly remodel its lineup for the 2022 season. Stauts shifted from a midfield position to play center back, and Nicholls seized her opportunity as the new goaltender.
They needed no introduction to each other.
“We’ve been playing on the same club team for quite a long time, so we definitely work well together,” said Nicholls, a junior.
Stauts, also a junior, actually returned to her natural position at center back, where she has been playing for her club team Spirit USA. Playing directly in front of Nicholls, the duo make up the last line of defense as the Irish face off against the most powerful players in the state.
Both have adapted perfectly.
“I played a defensive mid-last year, so I still played some defense, but I went to center back this year and I really like it,” Stauts said. “I love the intensity, and I love working with the people around me. It’s a great spot.”
On Oct. 8, Camden Catholic shut out Oak Knoll 3-0 in a rematch of last year’s Non-Public state championship game. The Irish had sought revenge for 11 months after coming up just short in last year’s title game.
“We were all super excited,” Stauts said. “[The night before] was our homecoming [football] game, and we were all talking about how excited we were. There were a lot of nerves, but once we got on the field, we eased into it. It was a great team win.”
The good times kept rolling two days later as Camden Catholic defeated Kingsway, 3-1. The Dragons had been ranked No. 1 in the state — an honor that the Irish currently carry. Camden Catholic was 11-1 through Oct. 16 with their own defeat to Pennsylvania school Episcopal Academy. The Irish yielded just 10 goals in 12 games through Oct. 16, which is an accomplishment playing a challenging schedule with a reconstructed defense.
“I think we are really doing a great job,” Nicholls said. “It was a little bit confusing at first because we didn’t know where everyone was going to end up, but once preseason was over, we figured it out. We’re just getting better at every spot right now.”
Nicholls’ position never changed. She’s been a goalie most of her life, getting only a small taste of playing in the field at a young age. She switched to goalie when her club coach at the time needed someone brave to step up and stand in front of speeding shots.
“My mom was the coach,” Nicholls said with a laugh. “And we needed a goalie, so I hopped in. I put on all the pads and thought it was kind of fun. I’ve now been playing for eight years as a goalie.”
Nicholls has excelled at her craft and committed to Rutgers University earlier this year. “I liked the idea of going to a Big Ten school, and I really liked the coaches.”
On Oct. 19, Stauts committed to playing at Temple University in Philadelphia. She wants to study physical therapy or exercise science, possibly leaning toward a future as a nurse practitioner. She’s also involved with Camden Catholic’s Latin Honors Society. Right now, she’s focused on senior year and making a big postseason run with the Irish.
And the two think they have the team to do it.
“It’s a really fun dynamic,” Stauts said. “We’re all friends and we’ve known each other for years and work well together.”
Last year, the team compiled a 21-3 record and made an appearance in the state final. This year could be even better for Nicholls, who is enjoying the best seat in the house.
“It’s really awesome,” Nicholls said. “Last year was fun, too, and it was great to watch the team do a great job, but this year is even better because I get to work with the team to win games instead of just cheering them on from the bench.”
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