The field hockey season is so short it’s never too early to take a look at the division races in the Colonial Valley Conference. One has to give Notre Dame credit for coming out of the gate quickly and getting wins over Princeton, Allentown and Hopewell Valley to take command of the Colonial Division. The Irish (6-1, 3-0 Colonial) still have tough games with Princeton Day (3-2, 1-1 Colonial), Lawrence (5-1-1, 0-1-1 Colonial) and Robbinsville (2-5-1, 0-1-1 Colonial); all of which are very capable of pulling off the upset. Next week ND has Princeton Day, Ewing and Robbinsville. Certainly one of the teams to watch is Princeton, for the last several years the Tigers have dominated the CVC. The Tigers have Lawrence on Saturday and then West Windsor-Plainsboro North and Allentown next week. The Cardinals are an interesting team and they will be tested the next four games as they have Princeton, Allentown, Nottingham and Hopewell Valley. A lot of things in the Colonial Division could be decided in the next 10 days. The Valley Division is another story. There are three unbeaten team in conference play with Steinert (3-4, 3-0 Valley), Hightstown (2-5-1, 2-0-1 Valley) and WW-P South (1-5-1, 1-0-1). The Spartans will be challenged next week with South and Hightstown up next. Besides Princeton, South has Ewing and Steinert next week. This division is going to be a close right to the finish. Out of Conference Troubles You have to give teams credit for scheduling up as you only get better by playing tougher competition. Recently, Notre Dame faced Hammonton (9-0) and fell, 8-1. Allentown faced Shore (8-1) and fell, 3-0, and this week the tangled with West Essex (8-1) and were defeated, 5-0. Earlier in the season, Princeton played a very tough prep team in Agnes Irwin (8-2) and lost, 8-1. Agnes Iwin is coached by former Robbinsville and St. Joseph’s star Nicole Gerdes. Certainly these losses are a disappointing, but if the CVC wants to end a 40-year state championship drought (Princeton 1984) it’s going to have to be able to compete with the caliber listed above. Hopewell Valley has several sectional titles and a state runner up in 1985 and Allentown was a runner-up in 2003. A Look at the Local Teams Allentown — Junior Kelsey Loughlin has been a pleasant surprise this season for the Redbirds with five goals. “I was so impressed when she came out this year because she had improved so much,’’ said Kayla Peterson, the Allentown coach. “Her main sport is softball, she just started playing field hockey her freshmen year. She’s just one of those natural athletes, and the confidence she has gained this year has just elevated her play immensely and I’m so happy she’s getting in there and scoring goals this year.’’ Ewing — Always a team that struggles with numbers, you have to give first-year coach Amanda Garcia credit as they are playing very well. Hamilton West — This program was hurt with graduation and is slowly coming back and getting better every game. Victoria Mazur and Sabrina Gonzalez-Leon each have three goals. Hightstown — It has been a freshman Lilly Peto doing a great job for the Rams with a team-high seven goals. Peto is the daughter of the late Jim Peto, the former Hightstown Athletic Director. “Lilly Peto during every game gives us her all,’’ said Hightstown coach Kelsey Fithen.  “Her conditioning and speed has allowed her to have fantastic first touches around the players. Her vision on the field allows her to make smart decisions and read plays extremely well. I was really excited to have Lilly come to this team because she has great first touches, overall intense work ethic and gives it her all during every second of the game. Her five goals this season scrape the surface of how crucial of a player she is on this team. There is definitely more to come from this strong individual.’’ Hopewell Valley — The Bulldogs defense has pitched four shutouts this season and this team can find the backboard on offense. Hun — The Raiders are getting better each time out and are working to add a little offense. Very nice win over Princeton on Thursday behind Sophia Clark’s pair of goals. Lawrence High — Caroline Rotteveel has two 10 point games and one 11 point game this season. The surrounding cast is showing too. Lawrenceville Prep — The Big Red is still trying to find their footing. But, as usual the Lisa Ewanchyna theory of tough schedule early will pay dividends down the stretch is working. Notre Dame — Ellie Marrone has 13 goals recently went over the 100-point mark for her career. Nottingham — Madison Lipman is averaging 22.2 saves a game and every game she battles. Peddie — Anna Treese has a career high 16 goals this season in leading the Falcons to a 6-2 record. Pennington — Pretty impressive 4-1-1 start for Red Hawks, but they have a tough one with Hill on Saturday. Princeton — The Tigers might stand at 3-3, but you can expect them to finish strong. Mia Ramirez (12 goals) is one of the best players in the area.  Don’t get caught sleeping on the Tigers. Princeton Day — Another team graduation took a toll leaving the Panthers very young. Injuries has slowed the improvement. Robbinsville — The Ravens just can’t seem to get on a positive roll. They have talent that can win and chemistry will be a key going forward. Steinert — This is a very good Spartans team and one of the highlights has been the play of Mackenzie Bendas with eight defensive saves. On the offensive side, Gia DiMeglio is showing her talents. Stuart — After winning the first four the Tartans have dropped the last four and they have only scored one goal in the four losses. WW-P North — The Knight snapped a four game losing skid with a much-needed 2-1 win over South Brunswick. WW-P South — The Pirates have been spending most of the early season with the Colonial Division and playing a couple preps. They have some weapons and once it gets untracked it will have a say in the Valley Division.