Overtime goal seals historic TOC field hockey win

West Essex field hockey made history with their first ever win in the Tournament of Champions final, on Nov. 18, and they were able to break Eastern’s five year Tournament of Champions (TOC) win streak.

The team was on track to this victory with their run through states. The field hockey team won the State Championship against Rumson High School by a score of 5-2 on Saturday, Nov. 12.
Junior Julia Russo and sophomore Ellie Decker each scored 2 goals, while junior Ashley Iannuzzi and senior Lia Sinisi each scored one goal. Freshman Tara Smith had four saves to help the win.
“It was one of the best feelings I have ever had, my chills were incredible,” Decker said.
The win Saturday earned the team the number one seed in the TOC. The TOC is a tournament played between the five Group State Champions.
The Knights defeated Bishop Eustace 5-0 in the semi-final of the TOC. Decker had two goals, Russo and Ashley Iannuzzi also had goals to assist the win. Sinisi also scored a goal, helping her reach 100 career goals.
During the TOC final the Knights defeated Eastern by a score of 2-1. During overtime Lia Sinisi made a stroke to secure the win for the team. Forward Sarah Iannuzzi scored a goal in the first half to tie up the game after Eastern had scored. Smith had 11 saves on the day.
“The win was a dream come true,” junior Sarah Iannuzzi said. “We left our blood, sweat and tears on the field. We have worked extremely hard since Aug. 10, it feels so surreal. Words can’t describe how happy we are that we are able to give our coach a TOC championship.”
During late October and early November, the field hockey team also won the sectional final and the county final. The team had a lot of wins this season, but that doesn’t mean they have stopped working. This is one of the best seasons of field hockey the school has ever seen.
During the season, the Knights lost one game to Oak Knoll, leading to their final record of 20-1 in the regular season.
“We always play for each other and play like we have nothing to lose,” Sinisi said. Coach Cosse always pushes the team to improve, which helps their game a lot.
The 2016 team chose the quote “Work hard in silence, let your success be your noise,” she said. This was their quote for the season because they knew nothing would make more noise in the state of New Jersey then winning the TOC.
“They’ve done everything in their power to put them in the position they wanted on Aug. 10,” Coach Cosse said. Cosse had high hopes for her team this year and they did nothing but exceed her hopes.
This year the varsity team is planning on sending six seniors off to play in college. In the fall of 2017, Lizzy Cimilluca is attending University of Iowa, Jamie Chebuske (Northeastern), Lia Sinisi (Michigan State), Jordyn Thies (University of Pennsylvania). Both Amanda Garofalo and Gianna Distasi plan to play at the next level and will make their decision in the upcoming months.
This season Coach Cosse won her 400th field hockey game, beating Ms. Alimi’s record this season. “If anyone deserves this win it’s Cosse,” Sarah Iannuzzi said. “She is the best.”