CC senior circling in on promising field hockey season

It wasn’t supposed to be this easy wearing green.

Last year, Savannah Freeland was the new kid on the Camden Catholic High School field hockey team. She was coming off a 19-goal sophomore year at Lenape High School and was about to join a loaded Irish roster that had won back-to-back Non-Public state championships.

That situation could be a bit scary for a newcomer. Not for Freeland.

“We all play on the same club team [Spirit of USA Field Hockey Club in Berlin], so I pretty much knew everyone already,” said Freeland, who lives in Mount Laurel. “It wasn’t really that hard of an adjustment meeting new people, and as the year went along, we all got a lot closer.”

And Freeland made quite the impression. Her 32 goals were second only to teammate Sophia Stazi’s 36 last season at Camden Catholic.

She also posted a career-high 15 assists as the Irish went 18-3-1 and made another trip to the state championship game. Freeland scored Camden Catholic’s lone goal that day, but the Irish were defeated 3-1 by perennial powerhouse Oak Knoll in the title match. 

“Losing last year was kind of tough,” Freeland said. “I had never been to a state championship before, but everyone else had. But I know it was a wakeup call for me because I thought they just won it every year. It was a good learning experience for us, and I think we’re ready to bounce back this year.”

Now it’s senior year for Freeland, and the Irish are attempting to end up in the state title game for the sixth straight time. There was no state championship held in 2020 due to the pandemic.

Enduring a long, physical season shouldn’t be a problem for Freeland, who is a middle distance runner in the winter and spring seasons, running the 400 and 800 meter events.

“It definitely helps me running track year-round,” Freeland said. “It keeps my stamina up and helps me get faster every year.”

It also helped her prepare to be a Division 1 athlete, as she will continue her field hockey career at the University of Massachusetts. She is undecided on her potential major but fell in love with the school at first sight.

“I really liked the school and the coaches and the environment,” Freeland said. “I liked the academic programs. It was a good fit.”

So is Camden Catholic. Freeland enjoys the tight-knit atmosphere compared to the large regional school district she once attended.

Up front, Freeland and Stazi support each other. Combining for 68 goals last year, the duo is lightning fast, powerful and unselfish. It’s a scary combination for opposing defenses.

“Sophia and the other forwards do a really good job of sharing the ball with each other,” Freeland said.

“I give it to them, they give it to me. … I love playing with Sophia. She’s a really encouraging teammate.”

They are hoping it results in a third state championship in four years for Camden Catholic. 

“I think our team is really hungry for this year,” Freeland said. “We have been working really hard in practice. I’m definitely more comfortable with everyone.”