Clearview Regional High School’s girls field hockey team made history in Bordentown on Nov. 15, when it won a third consecutive state championship by beating North Hunterdon 2-1 in the NJSIAA Group 3 state final.
It’s the fourth overall state title for Clearview’s Pioneers, who were down 1-0 until the third quarter.
“We started out playing more defensively in the beginning of the game, and I knew we needed to shift possession in our favor,” said head coach Britany Ewan. “We made a few adjustments as the quarters went on, and it was exactly what we needed to spark our offense.”
The Pioneers took the lead with 7:04 minutes remaining in the game and held it until the clock ran out.
“The win felt incredible,” Ewan enthused. “It was a very close, well-played game by both teams. These girls wanted that game and the seniors were determined to end their high-school career with a win. The moment was surreal.’
“It is such a difficult feat to win three in a row, which increased the intensity and pressure for the girls,” she added. “But they handled it with class and persevered until the end.”
For Ewan, the key to success was her players’ work as a unit that supported each other both on and off the field, maintained a strong work ethic and balanced all of that with enjoyment and rest.
“Each year the journey is different, but the goals and work ethic are the same,” the coach explained. “These girls show up every day and put in the hard work needed to win a state championship. They know what it takes and the upperclassmen helped the freshman navigate that process, all while having fun and enjoying the game at the same time.”
The team celebrated their win and even got an escort from the Harrison Township Fire District as players made their way home on the day of the game.
“We are going to enjoy this championship with each other,” Ewan noted, “pay tribute to our seniors who have done so much for this program and start to prepare for next season.”
