For the last two years, the Camden Catholic High School field hockey team walked off the field holding the golden championship trophy as the superior Non-Public team in the state. On Nov. 16, the Irish were on the other end, coming up just short in their pursuit of a third straight title.
This time, it was two-time state runner-up Oak Knoll’s turn, as the Royals took a 3-1 decision under the lights at Bordentown Regional High School in the Non-Public state final. However, the Irish seemed to appreciate their 2022 and 2023 titles a little bit more as they watched their deserving opponents celebrate.
“It’s such a privilege to be able to make it to this point each year … and have the opportunity to play at such a high level,” said senior Madison Logan, who will play at Temple University, Philadelphia, next year.
“No matter the outcome, I’m so proud of this team and what we’ve accomplished in the past,” said Logan, who tallied six goals and eight assists this season. “We’ve done so much and gone through so much together.”
The Irish appeared to be on track for the three-peat, as junior Savannah Freeland finished off a shot from sophomore Sophia Stazi just five and a half minutes into the game to give Camden Catholic the early lead. But Oak Knoll scored the equalizer and the go-ahead goal during a three-minute span in the second quarter and never looked back. The Royals added an insurance marker in the third period before capturing their 13th state title in school history.
“I’m really proud of the team and how far we’ve come and how much we persevered this season,” said Isabella Moore, a University of Virginia signee who scored 19 goals and 16 assists this season. “I hope that everyone remembers this feeling and uses it to get better.”
There’s still a lot to be proud of this season. The Irish went 18-3-1, which included a regular season split with Oak Knoll and victories over state Group 4 champ Kingsway and state Group 2 champ West Essex.
A dozen Camden Catholic seniors walked off the field for the last time, carrying memories and friendships that were formed in the last four years. They also compiled a 79-10-2 record, four South Jersey titles and two state championships during that time.
“This program gave me some of my best friends, and the energy on the team is really good,” Logan said. “It’s like nothing I’ve ever been a part of before. … We’re here to have a good time, and I think that helps a lot with our team camaraderie. It’s something really special.”
A large crop of talented juniors, sophomores and freshmen will take the reins and attempt to start a new streak next year on the strength of the traditions handed down.
“I’m going to remember my friends and how close I’ve become with a lot of the girls on this team and how hard everyone works,” Moore said. “I think everyone, no matter if they are leaving or if they’re staying, is going to take this experience and get better from it.”
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