The Montclair Girls Field Hockey team had another majorly successful season, finishing 16-5.

The team started the season with 2 statement wins against Westfield (5-0) and Caldwell (8-0). However, they would soon fall in back-to-back games 8-0 to Oak Knolls and West Essex. The girls didn’t let this affect them though, going on to win six of the next seven games, with their only loss coming in a close one against Kent Place (2-1).

However, the team proved to themselves that they were coming together as a team, with Senior Captain Megan Previdi saying “As a team we really came together during our Kent Place game. I’ve never seen us play together so hard and consistently. That game set the standard for our play for the rest of the season.”

Going into the Essex County Tournament as the number 2 seed, the team was on a three-game winning streak and intended to continue against MKA in the semifinals, after receiving a bye in the first and second rounds.

They dominated play against their cross-town rivals, winning 3-0 and moving on to the Essex County Finals. Going into the County Finals, the girls looked to come out victorious in their rematch with West Essex. However, the game was much like their first meeting, and they fell 8-0. They still pushed forward though, coming out of the Essex County Tournament and defeating Cranford 7-0.

They would go on to finish the regular season on a 5-game-win streak, which included beating rivals MKA again, 2-1. This game was huge for many of the Seniors on the team including Previdi, who said, “My favorite moment was when we beat MKA for the second time on their home field.”

They also defeated highly ranked Northern Highlands 1-0 before beginning the state tournament. The Mounties started the state tournament as the number-one-ranked team in group four. They won the first game in convincing fashion, beating number 16 Montgomery 7-0. However, their season would be cut short in the second round, when they were upset 3-0 at home by number nine Westfield.

Even with the abrupt loss, the team still had a successful season. Senior Captain, Goalie Isabel Ginns finished the season with eleven shut-outs, and 158 total saves. Senior Captain Meghan Crane led the team with 47 points, with Sophomore Eliza Larson second on the team with 40 points. Freshman Ceci Cowart came in third on the team, with 32.

The girls look to come back strong next season and continue their dominance.