Women’s Field Hockey finishes off a phenomenal season

December 8, 2019

By Tahjee’ Shaw | Published by December 8, 2019

Kean’s Women’s field hockey team had a very successful season, winning 17 games in a row at one point. Leslie Lafonz, the head coach of the Cougars, was very happy and impressed by the team’s accomplishments.

“Kean University Cougars gather round in team photo” Photo courtesy of Kean Athletics

“The camaraderie and commitment are all ingredients to a successful season,” said Lafonz.

On August 31st, Kean University defeated Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, PA. 3-0. This was their first win of the season. Junior Melissa Way was the star of the game as she tallied a hat trick.

Alongside her, freshman Peyton Mann assisted on two goals and sophomore Ja’Carra Jackson, assisted on the other. Way and Mann started the game off with two goals within the first 13 minutes.

Since then, they have won numerous amounts of games this season. Their most standout being against Centenary University. The Cougars won the game 11-0. Way had five points in the game with two goals and one assist. Freshman Bethany Garcia tallied two goals for the Cougars.

The latest of the win streaks being against Ramapo College in the New Jersey Athletic Conference. The score was 4-1, leading to Kean’s next big win within their consecutive flow of victory. Senior Rachel Mills was one of the leaders for the game with one goal, three shots, and two assists. Way also lead the game with six shots, two goals, and one assist. Both Way and Mills connected on the game’s first two first-half goals, which lead the Cougars to a 2-0 lead by halftime.

Kean University Cougars defeated Endicott University on Nov. 16 with a 3-1 victory This lead the team advancement towards the 3rd round and Quarterfinals of NJCAA. The team, however, bowed out of the NCAA tournament after their loss to Millbury University. Jackson had two shots and one goal in the 4-1 loss, leading to her sixth goal of the season.

The team also made it to the semifinals in the NJAC tournament, in which they were defeated by Rowan University 4-2. Senior Jenna Patrone had seven shots and one goal in that game.

Kean University’s Cougars achieved wins and won many awards not only as a team but individually as well. Freshman goalkeeper Belly Reynoso was named The New Jersey Athletic Conference Rookie of the week on Oct. 6. Reynoso and Mann were named to final NJAC Weekly Awards on Nov. 18. Reynoso being named the final New Jersey Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week, while Peyton Mann being tabbed the final NJAC Rookie of the Week.

“Reynoso and Mann with their respective NJAC awards” Photo courtesy of Kean Athletics

“We finished the season ranked 9th in the country and made it all the way to the Elite Eight in the NCAA National Championship, the farthest any New Jersey team made it this fall,” said Lafonz. “We compiled a 19-4 record and had several individual accomplishments along the way. We had four First Team All NJAC Players; Jenna Patrone, Melissa Way, Erin Donnelly, and Belly Reynoso plus Taylor Hutchins received Honorable Mention honors. Belly Reynoso also made NJAC Rookie of the Year as she had a stellar year in the cage for the Cougars. And Way tied the school record for most goals in a season with 28.”

Lafonz had additional comments on the team’s success.

“Our players worked extremely hard throughout the season,” said Lafonz. “But more importantly than that, they worked year-round in the weight room, doing plyos in the spring and playing in tournaments in the offseason.”