West Essex High School Field Hockey Team Honored

The Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders honored the West Essex High School Field Hockey Team of North Caldwell for winning the 2013 Group II State Championship during its Wednesday, Feb. 19, meeting held at the Hall of Records.  The Board’s commendation was sponsored and presented by District 4 Freeholder Leonard Luciano of West Caldwell.

Freeholder Luciano welcomed the team back for their second state championship celebration in the last three years saying, “The Lady Knights are truly a dynasty that has brought great pride to West Essex High School and the entire county, and that success is due not only to the talent of the many players who have worn the uniform, but also because of the coaching prowess of Jill Cosse and Diane Simmons.  Congratulations!”

“I want to thank Freeholder Luciano and the Board for always remembering us, it’s really quite special”, said Coach Jill Cosse, who also thanked her coaching partner, Diane Simmons, for the amazing job she did with the players, the parents for their support, “and most importantly the girls, for how amazing they are, and who are responsible for making it possible for us to be here today.”

The West Essex High School Field Hockey Team captured its Group II State Championship on November 16, 2013, when it defeated Wall Township High School, 1-0.  The team advanced to the Tournament of Champions for the fifth time in the last seven years, reaching the semi-finals.

The team compiled a stellar overall record of 23-2 during a championship season in which it also won the Super Essex Conference and Essex County Tournament championships and outscored its opponents 134-13.

The Lady Knights finished their season ranked as the #8 team in the nation by the American field hockey website, Top of the Circle, and by The Star-Ledger as the #3 team in New Jersey, the #1 Group 2 team in the state, the #1 team in Essex County and the Essex County “Team of the Year”.

The team was comprised of: seniors Marissa Cafone, Kelly Cousoulis, Delaney Dunn, Caroline Fiore, Sofia Haramis, Gianna Mouskourie, Stephanie Pezzuti, Marisa Racamato, Jackie Renda and Kaitlyn Struss; juniors Gabrielle Girardi, Bunny James, Alyssa Menendez, Janelle Perillo, Demi Russo, Tayler Schauer, Erin Smith and Kristina Soriano; sophomores Caitlin Morrissey and Paige Innarella; and freshmen Jordyn Thies and Lia Sinisi.

This season, coaches Jill Cosse and Diane Simmons won their 350th game together over the last 17 years, while also compiling an astounding overall record of 351-30-17 during that same time period.

The success of the 2013 team continued a tradition of West Essex field hockey excellence that has seen the program capture 41 conference championships since 1970, 20 county championships since 1974 (including 15 times in the last 17 years), 32 state sectional championships since 1971, and 17 state group championships since 1971 (including 8 times in the last 17 years.)

Submitted by The Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders