When the preseason started, Cheryl Harris wasn’t sure what the Notre Dame field hockey team’s lineup was going to look like as there weren’t that many familiar faces in the crowd. “We had quite a few players who didn’t return this year for various reasons,’’ said Harris, the Irish coach. “Our entire starting defense, including both varsity goalies from last year were gone.  We were shuffling players around, trying to find our best combination, up until the day before our first game.’’ The veteran coach found the right combination as the Irish are 11-1 overall and captured the CVC Colonial Division championship with a perfect 6-0 division record. It’s the first division title since 2017 when there were three divisions in the CVC. “We are thrilled to win the division,’’ said Harris. “Now, we are preparing for the CVC Tournament. ‘’ One of the keys to success has been a determined defense. “All three starting defenders — Grace Marrone, Adria Durkin and Katie Brown — are sophomores and first time varsity members,’’ stated Harris. “Our starting goalie, Adriana Tattoli, was our left forward last year.  She saw we needed a goalie and volunteered to try it out.  She is a senior.  She had never played goalie before.’’ ND has allowed just one goal in the last five games, and its only loss came to Hammonton (11-1-1). “Those on defense have strong hits, they are persistent, and they are fast,’’ declared Harris. “As for our defensive mid, Kayla Delehanty, a senior captain, she’s everywhere.  She’s just a natural athlete.  She’s someone the team can depend on.  She’s our flyer in our defensive corners, and she plays a big role in our offensive corners as well.’’ While the defense has risen to the occasion, the offense has done it’s part, too. Senior Ellie Marrone leads with 20 goals and 11 assists, junior Emma McVey has 12 goals and 29 points and sophomore Victoria Suschke has 20 points on six goals and eight assists. “Both Emma and Ellie played midfield last year,’’ recalled Harris. “It was refreshing to know I could put them up on the forward line this year due to my three midfielders, Clementine (Bowden), Marie (Conway) and Tori (Suschke), having the stick skills and the stamina to support them.  Emma is someone who always has her stick down and Ellie is great at cutting to the ball.  The two trust each other to make those give and go passes up the field. Elana (Ruppersberger), our right forward, has had some great moments too.’’ There have been a lot of great moments for the Irish and now the focus turns to continuing this high level of play. “We need to push ourselves in practice.’’ Harris said. “Losing to Hammonton hurt, but it taught us what we need to work on. Losses help you grow if you pay attention.  And that’s something our players do.  They are smart players. They listen to each other. They give positive feedback, and they push themselves.  I am so proud of how far we’ve come, but we’re not finished..’’ Sluder, Allentown Hoping Schedule Pays Dividends Allentown elevated the schedule this season with the likes of West Essex, Shore Regional, Point Pleasant Boro and Southern Regional and although they took some bruises it will benefit. “I think we are starting to mesh and having played some harder opponents has been really beneficial for us,’’ said Allentown’s Ella Sluder. “We were able to step up our game against some very good teams. The win over Point Pleasant Boro showed us that we can win the big games. We have the talent and the teamwork to win when it matters.’’ Sluder has been a big reason for the Redbirds success with 22 goals and 10 assists for 54 points. The last four games the junior has nine goals and six assists. It’s been a great season off the field for Sluder, too, as she has committed to UMass Lowell to continue her academic and field hockey career. “I loved the culture there and it’s a great field hockey program,’’ said Sluder. “I’m super excited and I can’t be more excited to be a River Hawk.’’ Bulldogs Are Barking Hopewell Valley is one of the hottest teams in the conference with a blazing seven game winning streak. The Bulldogs are 10-2 and ready to make amends for loss to Allentown and ND in the upcoming CVC Tournament. One of the top players in the area, senior Raina Jablonski has been playing well with 14 goals and 13 assists for a team high 41 points. On a classy note, Hopewell Valley has six wins by a score of 6-0. Once the game is secure longtime coach Pam Edwards shows some respect to the opponent. North versus South The battle for West Windsor-Plainsboro has some real meaning this season as South sits atop the CVC Valley Division with a 4-0-1 record and only a meeting with North remaining. A Pirates win would give them the title, a loss and Hightstown wins the division and a tie would have co-champs with South and Hightstown. The Rams, 0-0 tie with WW-P North on Wednesday opened the door for the Pirates. South has won three straight over the Knights. Junior Rimla Riza leads the Pirates with five goals. Robbinsville Snaps Skid The Ravens (4-8-1) were mired in a four game losing skid when they welcomed Steinert and behind a pair of goals from junior Ava Aldarelli and senior Julia Meddahi they got back on track. Robbinsville followed that up with a 2-1 win over Princeton Day. Unfortunately, the loss was the sixth in the last seven games for PDS. Pennington Peaking Having won six of the last seven game the Red Hawks are turning some heads in the Mid-Atlantic Prep League. Fresh off an impressive 6-0 win over a good Peddie team they stand at 7-2-1. “I am very happy with how the team has been playing,’’ said Kristin McCarthy, the Pennington coach. The girls have fully embraced the team approach to winning. From goalie to center forward (Genevieve Vallieres) to our left wing (Emma Goodrich), everyone has been working hard and looking for the next great pass and pushing hard toward goal, re-defending, and defense.’’ While it has been a team effort, Vallieres brings a ton of talent to the field. She has 11 goals in the last three games and 20 goals and five assists on the season. “Clearly, Genevieve is quite a talented player,’’ McCarthy said. “She is one of the most highly skilled girls in the county and even in the state. She has really matured into her center-forward position and has been laser-focused on her shots on goal.’’ Pennington has been solid on defense as well. “As a team, we agreed that teamwork, commitment, respect, and effort would allow us to have a successful season and it has worked so far,’’ said McCarthy.