South Jersey Preseason Field Hockey Top 10
Last year's record in parentheses.
1. Eastern (26-1). The Vikings are going for their 13th consecutive state title with a young team. Their chances of cooking up a baker's dozen look good.
2. Bishop Eustace (20-4). The Crusaders have returned most of the players who won the Group 2 state crown. They have the talent to repeat.
3. Shawnee (19-3). The Renegades' numbers are down, but they return with a strong nucleus that should lead to another Olympic Conference Patriot Division championship.
4. Camden Catholic (15-5-1). Youth, talent, experience, and depth will carry the Irish back to the top of the Olympic National, whose title they shared with Eustace last season.
5. Haddonfield (19-5). The Bulldogs lost seven starters who carried them to the South Jersey Group 2 title, but they have a core group that can lead the rest back to the top.
6. Washington Township (15-5). With seven returning starters and some talented prospects fighting for jobs, the Minutemaids will have another successful season.
7. Ocean City (21-1). The Red Raiders have a half-dozen club players who are aiming to lead the team back to the South Jersey Group 3 championship.
8. West Deptford (18-3). The Eagles have no club players; however, they have enough talent to contend for the Colonial Liberty title, which they shared last year with Haddonfield.
9. St. Joseph (23-1). The Wildcats have seven returning starters who helped win the South Jersey Group 1 title; six of them play club ball and are poised to pave the way to the top.
10. Audubon (20-3). The Central Jersey Group 1 champs return with confidence that their seven returning players can guide the team back to Colonial Patriot and group championships.
- Bill Iezzi
