Field hockey: Cox wins another state title

VIRGINIA BEACH

Prime time seemed to be the perfect stage for a coronation.

Five players, including seniors Stephanie DeMasi, Taylor Rhea, Kelsey Rosenmeier and Cara Witte, had a goal apiece, and Cox secured its fourth straight Group AAA state field hockey title with a 5-0 win Tuesday night over Mountain View under the bright lights at the National Training Center.

It was believed to be the first time the state final was held at night, said Joyce Sisson, Virginia High School League co-director of athletics.

“All of us seniors didn’t want to remember our last game to be a loss,” said Witte, who finished her career as a four-time state champion along with Liz Beckner, Rhea and Rosenmeier.

“Everyone thought we were going to win it. It was just a matter of doing it – stepping up, capitalizing and getting the job done.”

Now the question that will be debated for quite some time: How does this team compare within the program and among the nation’s all-time best?

“It’s hard to compare, but they’re one of the best,” Cox coach Julie Swain said. “There’s tremendous depth on this team.”

The Falcons (26-0) finished the season with a program-record 162 goals, which ranks fourth in the National High School Record Book. They limited opponents to eight goals, which bests the mark of the 1995 Cox team, which notched a 137-2 scoring margin.

Assistant coach Catherine Bowles, a key member of the ’95 squad, rates the two teams as similar and points out this year’s team’s unselfish characteristics, such as precision passing and maintaining possession.

“It’s been an emotional, pressure-filled season,” Swain said. “This group of girls has responded every step of the way. Even though they know they’re good, they’ve never been complacent.”

DeMasi knocked in the opening goal five minutes in off a low, driven cross from the right side of the circle by Rosenmeier.

“When they came out strong, we had to pick it up,” said Rhea, who finished the season with 50 goals and her career with 124. “This was the last time we’ll play together.”

Mountain View (19-5), from Stafford, started challenging for possession and field position before succumbing to the Falcons relentless pressure and dropping as many as 10 players into their own scoring circle.

Rhea doubled her team’s lead with less than two minutes remaining until halftime.

“We knew they would come out ready to score,” Rosenmeier said of her team’s mindset at the break. “Coach said to not let them in the game.”

Witte added a third goal quickly after the break, and sophomore Casey DiNardo tallied the fourth with less than 15 minutes remaining.

“At 4-0, I wasn’t feeling relaxed,” Rhea said. “But if we kept playing the way we did, they couldn’t come back and score.”

Rosenmeier’s score came six minutes later, and Cox kept up its pressure until the final whistle.

“To win it for the fourth time with the same girls I’ve played with since middle school feels incredible,” said keeper Liz Beckner, who didn’t allow a goal in three state tournament games. “I’m on cloud nine.”

Added Witte: “Winning four state titles doesn’t happen to many people. I’ve been with this team since my freshman year, and I’m going to remember it for the rest of my life.”

With the win, Cox, which is ranked No. 1 by TopOfTheCircle.com, matched Wilmington Tower Hill of Delaware with 17 state titles, which was believed to be a national record. According to the Web site, though, Severna Park of Maryland is the leader with 19.

“It’s never easy to win,” Swain said. “I enjoy this, and I want them to enjoy it. There never again will be this same group.”

Group AAA state final

Cox 5, Mountain View 0

G—DeMasi, Rhea, Witte, DiNardo, Rosenmeier.

Darrell Cuenca, (757) 446-2366, darrell.cuenca@pilotonline.com