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The Ocean City High School field hockey team is always one of the top contenders in NJSIAA Group III, and today will try to re-establish itself as the best in the bracket.

The Red Raiders (21-1, No. 3 in The Press Elite 11) play Warren Hills Regional High School (21-2-1) at 4 p.m. at Toms River East High School for the state Group III championship.

Ocean City has a great history, but has fallen a couple steps short the last three years. The Red Raiders, who are 6-for-6 in state final games, last won the state title in 2005. Since then, they lost in the state semifinal in 2006 and last year, and in the South Jersey final in 2007. O.C. won the Group III crown in 1997-99, 2001-02 and in 2005.

"It's great to be back. It's been a few years," Ocean City coach Trish LeFever said. "It's new to them (the current Ocean City team). This group hasn't been there, so it's really exciting for them. They've been working hard all year and they're as ready as they can be."

Ocean City, the winner of 16 straight games, advanced to the final in Thursday's windy, stormy weather with a 2-1 win over Wall High School at Neptune High School. The Red Raiders trailed 1-0 at halftime, but got two goals against the wind to win. O.C. tied it on a goal by defensive midfielder Karley Stephens, and sharpshooter Colleen Slaughter tipped in the winning goal with 46 seconds left in regulation.

Slaughter is tops in The Press area with 50 goals and second in southern New Jersey. Speedy Liz Cruz, a sophomore right forward, has 19 goals and junior midfielder Jenn Staab has 18.

Senior halfback Danielle McNally plays the length of the field and has 11 goals, along with senior left forward Lauren Price. Senior goalie Natalie Hunter, a four-year starter, has 15 shutouts. Ocean City has outscored its opponents 145-7.

Warren Hills, of Washington in Warren County, is the North II champion and beat North I winner Wayne Hills 2-1 Thursday in its semifinal. It was the 15th straight win for the Blue Streaks, who got the winning goal from sophomore Lindsey Schott (18 goals). Schott also scored to give Warren Hills a 1-0 overtime win over Freehold Boro in the North II title game. Midfielder Toni Popinko is the team's playmaker. Other scorers are Tara Benson and Niki Miller. Sammi Rimback is in goal.

Warren Hills has never won a state title. It lost to Ocean City in the championship game in 1999 and 2001 and to Cumberland Regional in 2000.

"We don't know a lot about them," LeFever said. "We know they have a couple dynamic players, but at this point everybody is good, so we'll just have to play our game and do what we do best."

Contact Guy Gargan:

609-272-7210

ggargan@pressofac.com

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