The CHS Field Hockey team is back for another competitive season and looking to take things even further than last year’s impressive playoff run. After reaching the semifinals in 2024, the team returned this fall with nearly the same roster, stronger chemistry, and a clear goal: make it to the finals. Coaching the team is CHS PE teacher Sara Skvir.
“We’ve really started to mesh well,” Skvir said. “A few early losses showed us what we needed to work on, and since then, the girls have really stepped up. Now we’re hitting our stride and building momentum heading into the playoffs.”
The team suffered early losses to rivals such as Delran and Northern Burlington before springing back to life with wins over Rancocas Valley, Bordentown, and Pennsauken.
A key part of the team’s success has been its strong returning players. Junior Gabby Pacetti has been a standout, scoring 13 goals so far this season and demonstrating flexibility in order to help the team on both ends of the field.
In goal, senior Sophia Flicker has also made a big impact with important saves in high-pressure games, including an impressive performance against rival Delran with an outstanding 30 saves.
Another strength of this year’s team is leadership. Senior captains Ally Yodis and Lila McDermott, along with junior captains Gabby Pacetti and Avva Smith, have helped keep the team focused, positive, and driven. With many of the players having competed together for years, the team’s chemistry is incredibly strong.
“We’ve all played together for so long that it feels natural,” Yodis said. “Everyone knows where to be and how to pick each other up when things get tough.”
Goal scoring has been impressive this year thanks to some key players. Junior Gabby Pacetti leads the team with nine goals, followed closely by sophomore Addison Buckley with eight. McDermott and Smith contributed six goals each to the impressive 39-goal season, in which they hope to add more.
With the addition of 15 freshmen and the first-ever freshman field hockey team at CHS, the Lady Pirates field hockey program continues to expand. This gives new players more time on the field, more experience, and the chance to grow within the program. The team now fields three full varsity, JV, and freshman teams.
“It’s something we’ve wanted for a while,” Skvir said. “With this many freshmen coming in, it made sense. Now they’re getting more touches and really learning the game, which will help them and the program in the long run.”
Some of those freshmen have already made their mark on varsity. Rachel Hutchcraft shared what it’s been like to step into such a big role so early in her high school career.
“I’m really grateful for the opportunity,” Hutchcraft said. “It was hard at first because the game moves so much faster, but the older players and coaches have made me feel welcome. Everyone is supportive, and we all play really well together.”
That bond between returning players and new faces has helped the team stay confident and focused, even during tough games. The team is determined to finish strong and improve on last year’s playoff run.
“The freshmen have brought a lot of energy,” Yodis said. “They work hard every day and push us to get better.”
“Our goal this year was to win the division, but now we’re focused on going even farther in the playoffs than last year,” Skvir said. “This group is capable of doing something special.”
As the regular season wraps up, CHS Field Hockey is entering the most important part of their season. The team is focused and ready to improve on previous years’ playoff runs, thanks to the help of a great senior crew and returning varsity players.
Their next game is against Haddonfield in the first round of the South Jersey Group 2 tournament on Monday, November 3, at 4 p.m. The girls hope to keep the season going with a win and advance to the second round.
