The CHS Field Hockey team has completed a truly unforgettable season, finishing with a 13-6-1 record and accomplishing milestones that have not been seen in the program in decades. While the team’s impressive statistics and historic victories tell part of the story, what made this season truly special was the selflessness and genuine love these 17 players had for one another.
The 13-win season marks the first time CHS Field Hockey has recorded more than 10 wins since 1996, when the team finished with 11 victories. It is also the first time since 1997 that the program has lost fewer than seven games, and the first time since 1995-1997 that CHS has recorded three consecutive seasons with 10 or more wins. Additionally, for the first time in at least 16 years, the team did not experience a losing streak, responding to every loss with a victory in its next game.
The team made its mark offensively and defensively throughout the season, scoring 65 goals while allowing just 39, which are the most goals scored and fewest goals allowed by a CHS team in over a decade. The team also scored against all but one opponent, a feat not accomplished in at least 16 years.
Beyond the numbers, the team achieved several significant victories that broke longstanding program droughts. CHS defeated Montclair Kimberley Academy for the first time in recorded program history, earned its first victory over Westfield in 11 years, and defeated Livingston for the first time in four years.
Individually, senior forward and co-captain Maddie Popowsky cemented her place in CHS Field Hockey history by breaking three school records, finishing with 138 career points, 59 career goals, and 23 career assists. Junior goalkeeper Maddy Klein also reached a remarkable milestone, recording and surpassing her 200th career save. Coach Rivera also reached a career achievement reaching and surpassing 50 career wins during her tenure as head coach.
While these accomplishments are extraordinary, the team’s greatest achievement may have been the culture it created along the way.
“What made this team so special was the love they had for each other. Everything they did—at practice, at games, and on and off the field—was for one another. Whether it was giving that extra push during conditioning or communicating with each other during games, even when they were exhausted, these girls consistently pushed themselves because they wanted to be better for their teammates. Every single player on this team was selfless and committed to the greater good of the group. As a result, all of my exceptionally hard working 17 players improved exponentially throughout the season. They wanted to become the best versions of themselves, not just for their own success, but so that the team could succeed together. And because of that, they made history together,” Coach Rivera expressed.
Another defining characteristic of this group was its fearlessness. Coach Rivera shared that “nothing was ever viewed as impossible to this team. The players understood that if they worked hard, trusted themselves, trusted one another, and played their game, they could accomplish anything. That confidence and belief carried them through challenging moments and allowed them to exceed even their own expectations.”
The coaching staff also placed a significant emphasis on the mental side of the game throughout the season. Along with developing their skills, improving their conditioning, and strengthening their gameplay, the players worked on controlling their mindset and focusing on what was within their control.
Simple techniques, such as taking deep breaths and mentally resetting after difficult moments, became important parts of their approach. This commitment to mental toughness gave the team an added edge, helping the players remain confident and focused even when games became challenging.
The team’s leadership was equally instrumental in its success. Captains Ava Casciaro, Maddie Popowsky, Phoebe Perlman, and Jamie Tarrow, along with the entire senior class, set an incredible example for their teammates. Many of these seniors have been part of the CHS Field Hockey program since middle school, making their contributions to the program especially meaningful. Their years of investment in the team have left an immeasurable legacy that will continue to shape the CHS Field Hockey program for years to come.
When reflecting on the season, the coaching staff emphasized that the team’s accomplishments extend far beyond the record books.
“This truly has been a team, season, and gift of a lifetime to coach. I could not be prouder of these 17 girls, not only for everything they accomplished on the field, but for the people they are and the teammates they chose to be. They believed in each other, showed up for each other, and never stopped pushing one another to be better.”
With a historic season now behind them, the 2026 CHS Field Hockey team leaves behind more than broken records and impressive statistics. They have established a new standard for the program, demonstrated what can be accomplished through belief and selflessness, and created a legacy that future CHS teams can aspire to carry forward.
The 2026 season will undoubtedly be remembered as a special chapter in CHS Field Hockey history, not just for what this team accomplished, but for how they accomplished it: together.
