West Long Branch's Shore Regional Field Hockey Begins New Era Under Koenig

Photo: 2013 state champions

WEST LONG BRANCH – A new era of field hockey has been ushered in under the guidance of long-time assistant coach Kelly Koenig, who takes over the reins from legendary Hall of Fame Coach Nancy Williams, who retired after 44 years as the only field hockey coach in Shore Regional history.

Williams retired with a 839-67-56 all-time record, 43 consecutive division titles, 19 Shore Conference Tournament titles including 15 straight, 23 sectional titles and 13 state championships while coaching 16 All-Americans. She’s the winningest high school field hockey coach in the United States and on September 6, 2014 Varsity Field Hockey Field was dedicated in her name.

Koenig, who played field hockey at Monmouth University from 2001-2004 and coached there in 2006 has been an assistant coach for the Blue Devils the past seven years.

“It’s really an awesome honor to take over for coach Williams,” Koenig said. “I love the program, this is my eighth year here and it’s an honor to be able to continue the tradition, hard work and drive for success that has been established at Shore Regional.”

Koenig’s initial task as head coach will be trying to fill the void left behind by graduated Shore Conference Player of the Year, Carol Middough. Middough was a NFHCA first-team All-American after setting school records in goals in a season (78), most goals in a career (131), points in a season (173) and points in a career (328). Her 2013 goal total was the third-most nationally in the history of high school field hockey.

“Carol was not only a great scorer but an excellent leader on the field,” Koenig said. “So I’m looking to my upperclassmen to fill that role this year.”

The Blue Devils do return three All-Shore picks and one All-Class B Central selection from last season’s 24-1-1 NJSIAA Group I championship team that also reached the semifinals of the Tournament of Champions. Shore (4-0-1) is currently ranked No.1 in the Shore Conference and No.4 in the State. The tie was a 1-1 rain-shortened game against No.2 Rumson Fair-Haven which was called at halftime due to heavy downpours.

Junior midfielder Jessica Welch is back after being selected first-team All-Shore last season as a sophomore and leads the team with 12 goals and four assists. Second-team junior defender Annie Deusch has scored three goals and assisted on three while third-team junior goalie Sarah Dwyer has 15 saves to her credit. All-Class B Central pick senior forward Katie Mannino has had a nice start scoring seven goals and assisting on six.

Koenig feels she has the players to replace Middough’s offensive production, “Jessica and Katie really possess the skills to drive our offensive unit. Jessica is an intelligent player who really understands the game and Katie is a fast, quick and talented forward who can really be an offensive threat, especially inside the 25. We also have Sarah Dwyer in goal who was just selected to the youth 17 national team and she is going to be a defensive staple anchoring our defensive unit.”

Junior forward Amanda Moorehouse has tallied three goals while senior forward Olivia Dicopoulous has chipped in with two goals. Senior defender Liza Amador and sophomore forward Kelsey O’Neill each have a goal with O’Neil adding an assist thus far this season. Junior forward Julianne Hurly, who as a sophomore last season found the back of the net 10 times and added five assists, has contributed an assist while up-and-coming freshman Abby Kopec scored her first varsity goal in Thursday’s 8-1 win over Keyport.

“Amanda’s in her first year playing varsity and has worked her way in to the forward line,” Koenig said. “Amanda finds a way to get it into the net. Olivia’s back after ACL surgery and has looked good and junior Julianna Hurley is on our forward line as well. I’m trying to find a balanced offense where many different players can score.”

A couple of games to keep an eye on are this Saturday’s game against Lawrenceville - No.2 in the New Jersey Prep School poll – October 18 versus No.11 Morristown and two games against Class B Central foe St. Rose – No.9 in the Non-Public poll – September 26 and October 18.

Koenig likes what she sees in this team, “We have a lot of new faces on the field but they’re a great group of kids that are willing to work hard to achieve their unified goal that they’ve set for the season. As their new coach I feel like they’ve rallied behind me and believe in what I’m asking them to do. A lot of these kids I’ve coached for many years and it’s been a smooth transition in my opinion. We’ve set our sights high but we know nothing can be accomplished without hard work and dedication.”

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