Field hockey coach takes a look back at season

By Josh Lashley
WEST MILFORD ‑‑ One of the many things that both currently and in the past makes the West Milford High School field hockey program unique is that while they accomplish the height of the their goals -- and this season that included winning the Passaic County Tournament Championship -- they remember to have fun along the way.
West Milford edged Lakeland 1-0 in double overtime in the Passaic County Tournament championship round. The Highlanders finished with an overall record of 16-3-2 and they were 6-1 in NEFHL Division II.
“We started our preseason in August trying to fill in the gaps from our 2017 graduating seniors,’’ said West Milford head coach Krista Provost. “This is always a difficult transition and it showed in our four scrimmages in late August. Then, it all came together and we won our first two games with 5-0 shut outs, both times. We continued our winning streak until the end of September and I attribute this to the team's confidence in themselves and each other. They learned to trust one another on the field by various team bonding activities we did off the field. This was a key to our success, building a team of friends. “We continued our success in the Passaic County Championship game, where we won for the second consecutive year, West Milford’s history's fourth title overall. A lot has to do with the repetition of field hockey fundamentals, and focusing on our connection off the field to be reflective on the field.’’
It’s obvious that the Highlanders were a focused team and considerate of one another as can be witnessed by the number of leaders who stepped to the forefront this year.
“My three senior captains, Jillian Bennett, Danielle Dellapi and Sydney Lamothe continued to step up throughout the season and demonstrate leadership qualities each week,’’ Provost said. “The girls dedicated themselves in the off season and volunteered to assist me coach youth athletes at various clinics and camps in the winter, spring and summer months. Then, over the summer they worked hard with their teammates to improve their skill and get ready for the high school tryouts. The girls held full team BBQ’s and pasta parties in which all levels attended, they also motivated their teammates on game days and got them ready to play.
“Other team leaders, besides the captains, that really stepped up were senior, Missy Doran and junior, Kelsie Murphy. These athletes put in a lot of time to improve their game and it showed this year. They were key players in our defensive line up. The girls worked the hardest I've ever seen athletes work at practices, really setting the tone for other athletes.’’
West Milford advanced to the NJSIAA North 1 Group 2 Sectional Tournament where they were topped Parsippany in the quarterfinal round. In the semifinals, the lost a 1-0 game to Lakeland. The optimism and fun times surrounding the Highlander program doesn’t look like it will diminish anytime soon.
“There are definitely improvements our team needs to make for next fall,’’ Provost said. “We are graduating eight senior athletes, all of which played a key role in our success this year and last year- all seniors have been on varsity for two seasons and won both county titles. From freshman athletes to returning varsity players, I see great things for West Milford field hockey in the 2018 season. The girls have figured out the key to success, and they understand the importance of training in the off season and bettering themselves for the benefit of the team.
“Lydia Souran, a junior, worked hard and even stayed some days after practice to get in more practice time. She is a true team player, attending freshman games and varsity games and cheering on her teammates. I think leadership is an important quality and Lydia has that. She helped lead her JV to an undefeated season- 15-0-2- breaking the school JV field hockey record from 2004.’’+
NOTABLE INDIVIDUAL HONORS FOR 2017 WEST MILFORD FIELD HOCKEY:
Danielle Dellapi (18 goals / 11 assists): First Team All-Conference and First Team All-County.
Sydney Lamothe: First Team All-Conference and First Team All-County.
Missy Doran: First Team All-County and Second Team All-Conference.
Samantha Lyons: Second Team All-Conference and Second Team All-County.
Head Coach Krista Provost: Passaic County Coach of the Year.