Voorhees Eastern Wins Third Straight TopOfTheCountry Trophy

Eastern Camden County Junior-Senior High School in Voorhees, N.J. is chosen as the No. 1 varsity field hockey team for the third straight season by TopOfTheCircle.com, the market leader in scholastic field hockey.

(PRWEB) December 28, 2004 -- For the third straight year, Voorhees Eastern (N.J.) has been chosen the No. 1 field hockey team in the United States by TopOfTheCircle.com.

"The Eastern Vikings are truly a perfect storm," says founder Al Mattei. "They have the athletes, a tactical and motivational genius in head coach Danyle Heilig, and, in 2004, they got a perfectly flat artificial grass field. It us truly the finest team in all the land."

Eastern has not lost a field hockey game since 1998, and has won 136 out of its last 138 matches in winning six straight state championships. The Vikings' six consecutive titles is within three of the national record of nine straight state championships.

"It's something I've never, ever thought I would experience," said Heilig. "It's taken on a life of its own, between the kids, the parents, the administration, and the school, supporting us. It's a tradition now, and as much confidence as the streak gives them, I'm sure there's a bit of fear; nobody wants to be the first to lose."

It was the third straight season Eastern was awarded the TopOfTheCountry trophy for being ranked No. 1 in the nation.

"I cannot believe that it has been six years," Heilig said. "I was telling (former Eastern standout, now assistant coach) Lindsay Domers coming up here, 'You know, it was six years ago when you were making this drive up here.' This has been the greatest ride of my life."

The team broke the existing national record for consecutive games without a loss in 2002. The turned in a 24-0 season in 2004, outscoring the opposition 167-5. The 167 goals is the third-most scored in a season in the history of the National Federation.

Heilig has sent more than a dozen players to Division I programs and has reached 150 wins coaching Eastern and nearby Haddon Heights in only seven seasons.

TopOfTheCircle.com, founded in 1998, is the largest scholastic field hockey website in the world. It provides comprehensive coverage from club to college, from coast to coast.

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