TUCKERTON – The Pinelands field hockey team has once again put themselves into position for a late season run. Sitting at a record of 10-2 overall and 9-2 in B South, the Wildcats are relying on youth and veteran leadership this season.
With just five seniors on the team, the Wildcats have put themselves in great position for this season and years to come. Rachel Papernick, a constant in the Pinelands program the past four seasons, has continued to grow both on the field and with her leadership. Leading the Wildcats in scoring with 16 goals and six assists, Papernick is looking to guide the program to a deep Shore Conference Tournament and NJSIAA tournament run.
Along with Papernick, Pinelands has gotten contributions from seven different goal scorers with Adrian Dieckman, Brianna Triebel and Jamilyn Hawkins chipping in on offense. Diekman, a junior, has already outscored her combined freshman and sophomore year goals total (9) with 10 goals and two assists. Her experience and depth makes a great one-two punch with Papernick. Triebel, a senior along with Papernick, has also outscored her previous combined years of scoring (5) with six goals and three assists.
The Wildcats’ two losses this year have both come at the hands of division winner Point Pleasant Boro. The two contests (0-2 and 0-4 against Boro) along with a 3-1 win over Jackson Liberty, were the only three goals they have given up all year. They have outscored their opponents, 42-7, with nine shutouts.
Pinelands, with their record and impressive resume, will most likely be a mid-level seed in the upcoming Shore Conference Tournament. From there it will be up to the veteran leadership and youth to continue to outscore, out-hustle and out-work their opponents. The Wildcats wrap up their regular season games against Donovan Catholic on Oct. 10 and Barnegat on Oct. 15.
- 2023 JSN Awards Finalists Announced - December 18, 2023
- Sunil Sunder Raj Recaps Day One of State Football Finals With OnNJ (VIDEO) - November 27, 2023
- Mental Health and Exercise: Finding Balance in New Jersey's Fast-Paced Life - November 27, 2023
