This week should be an interesting one, to say the least. Sure, there’s a looming Saturday between No. 1 Pottstown Hill School (Pa.) and No. 3 Malvern Villa Maria (Pa.), but there’s a rescheduled game between Darien (Conn.) and Westport Staples (Conn.) on Friday as well as tomorrow’s contest between Summit Oak Knoll (N.J.) and North Caldwell West Essex (N.J.).
But things are going to get really interesting the next couple of weeks in this Top 10. That’s because of the one area of the field hockey universe that we haven’t yet mentioned: PIAA District 3. The area surrounding the state capital of Harrisburg has a dozen legitimate contenders for the Class A, AA, and AAA state championships. I would not be surprised to see four or five of the state finalists converging at Cumberland Valley (Pa.) on Nov. 16th representing District 3.
Sure, the likes of Villa Maria and Emmaus will have something to say. But that’s what is going to make the Pennsylvania public-school tournament bracket so incredibly interesting.
Our RightToRightIsRight.com honorary No. 11 Team of the Week is Bristol Township Harry S Truman (Pa.). The Tigers have been fighting an historical malaise when it comes to the game of field hockey in that area of Bucks County. You have to go all the way back to the late 1950s to find a championship team from that area of the county — that’s when a divisional title was won by Bristol Delhaas (Pa.), a school which no longer exists.
Truman, having to play much larger schools in field hockey, have not only struggled in Suburban One play, they have struggled to even win a game during some seasons. According to the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association District 1 website, the team suffered through a 68-game winless streak dating back to 2019. However, the Tigers are suddenly on a tear, winning three games this past week.
1. Pottstown Hill School (Pa.) 12-0
The Blues got by North Caldwell West Essex (Pa.) on a Riley Turner goal in the final term; the 1 p.m. contest this Saturday at Malvern Villa Maria (Pa.) is the only game they will have in a 14-day span
2. Mamaroneck (N.Y.) 11-0
In a second major win this year over their local rivals, the Tigers beat Scarsdale (N.J.) 12-0. They will take on New Rochelle Ursuline (N.Y.) today
3. Malvern Villa Maria (Pa.) 13-0
The AACA regular-season champs have it all to do with Lower Gwynedd Gwynedd Mercy Academy (Pa.) and Kingston Wyoming Seminary (Pa.) before Saturday’s game against Hill
4. Watertown (Mass.) 11-0
The Raiders bested Winchester (Mass.) 3-1 last Wednesday and have Arlington (Mass.) today
5. Lititz Warwick (Pa.) 16-0
The Indians finish their regular season against Millersville Penn Manor (Pa.) and West Lawn Wilson (Pa.) this week; might they be the favorites in PIAA Class AAA this season?
6. Villanova Academy of Notre Dame de Namur (Pa.) 10-1
Irish earned shutout wins against Rosemont Agnes Irwin (Pa.) and Springside-Chestnut Hill Academy (Pa.)
7. Darien (Conn.) 9-0
The Blue Wave’s derby with Westfield Staples (Conn.) is taking place this Friday; this game could very well set the tone for Class L later this fall
8. North Caldwell West Essex (N.J.) 10-2
The work goes on for the Knights; they take on Summit Oak Knoll (N.J.) tomorrow
9. Manheim (Pa.) Township 17-2
The Blue Streaks beat Penn Manor (Pa.) on 3-0 Thursday and edged Palmyra (Pa.) 3-2 Saturday
9. Millersville Penn Manor (Pa.) 13-2
After a signature win over Emmaus (Pa.) on Saturday, Comets have key games in the next week against Manheim (Pa.) Township and Lititz Warwick (Pa.)
10. Emmaus (Pa.) 16-1
The resilient Hornets bounced back from last week’s loss and bested Downington (Pa.) West 6-0 in a game which sent a message to the rest of PIAA Class AAA
11. Bristol Township Harry S Truman (Pa.) 3-12
The Tigers had a stunning week, beating Bristol (Pa.), Sharon Hill Academy Park (Pa.) and Philadelphia Northeast (Pa.) in succession
Who’s out: Millersville Penn Manor (Pa.), 3-0 loss to Manheim (Pa.) Township
And bear in mind: La Jolla Bishop’s School (Calif.) 14-1, Los Gatos (Calif.) 7-1, Denver Colorado Academy (Colo.) 10-0-1, Greenwood Village Cherry Creek (Colo.) 10-1, Westport Staples (Conn.) 9-1, Lewes Cape Henlopen (Del.) 9-0, Winnetka New Trier (Ill.) 15-1-1, Christian Academy of Louisville (Ky.) 14-4, Cherry Hill Camden Catholic (N.J.) 9-1, Summit Oak Knoll (N.J.) 6-4-1, Cary (N.C.) Christian 13-0, Raleigh Cardinal Gibbons (N.C.) 9-3, Upper Arlington (Ohio) 16-0, Elliottsburg West Perry (Pa.) 15-1, Hummelstown Lower Dauphin (Pa.) 14-2, Lancaster (Pa.) Country Day School 15-0, Exeter Wyoming Area (Pa.) 12-0, Trinity Episcopal (Va.) 8-0, Yorktown Tabb (Va.) 11-0