Honesdale field hockey team posts historic victory with a 5-0 shutout of Wyoming Seminary
HONESDALE — Electricity was crackling in the air at the Daniel J. O’Neill Sports Complex during the run-up to Wednesday’s field hockey showdown between Honesdale and Wyoming Seminary.
The Lady Hornets stood poised on the brink of program history for several reasons, not the least of which was that a victory over the Blue Knights would be the 150th win of Becca Maciejewski’s storied coaching career.
In addition, Honesdale is the reigning District 2 Class AAA champion and an odds-on favorite to defend that crown. Remarkably, though, the Lady Hornets were still looking for their initial win over Sem in a regular season Wyoming Valley Conference game.
More: Claire Campen shatters 21-year-old career field hockey scoring record at Honesdale
Also by Kevin Edwards: Jillian Hoey playing a major role in Honesdale field hockey success
Finally, Wednesday’s battle would be the very first field hockey game ever played on the stadium’s new artificial turf. Needless to say emotions were running high when the two teams squared off for the start of this historic clash…
Lady Hornet domination
Appropriately enough, Claire Campen ignited the offense for Honesdale.
A senior captain and the program’s all-time leading scorer, Campen hammered home an unassisted goal with 2:55 left in the opening period. It gave the Lady Hornets an early lead which they never relinquished.
Lily Murray struck next, finding the back of the cage late in the second period off an assist from Campen. Murray’s goal gave the Red & Black a 2-0 lead at intermission and the confidence they needed to put this match away.
Jayden Beisner got into the act after the break, scoring courtesy of a Jillian Hoey assist to make it 3-0. Campen blasted in her second goal of the game just two minutes later, increasing Honesdale’s margin to an insurmountable 4-0.
Roz Maciejewski sealed the deal on this historic victory, putting the ball past Blue Knight keeper Lanie Cabel as time wound down in regulation. Beisner was credited with the assist.
Just a few minutes later, the Lady Hornets were celebrating a huge win, which upped their overall record to 8-0-1.
It was an absolutely dominant performance in which Coach Maciejewski’s girls outshot Sem by a staggering margin of 22-0. The local lasses also fashioned a whopping 10-0 advantage in penalty corners.
“It was a trifecta of milestones both personal and for the program,” Coach Maciejewski said. “To have them all align in one evening was electric. First night on the turf, first win on the turf, first program win over Sem and win number 150. Couldn’t have been more perfect.”
Honesdale now trails only undefeated Wyoming Area (6-0-0) in the WVC’s Division I standings. The Lady Hornets are currently all alone atop the Class AAA power ranking at .713728.
They love their coach
It didn’t take long after Wednesday’s celebration for praise to start pouring in for Coach Maciejewski on the occasion of her 150th varsity victory.
“Being on the sidelines with Becca today was incredibly humbling,” said assistant coach Kim Lawson. “She is undeniably a fantastic coach, but more importantly she’s such a good person and cares about her team so much.”
Those sentiments are echoed by the team’s tri-captains. Claire Campen, Roz Mikulak and Roz Maciejewski are All-State honorees who’ve been playing for their coach since they first picked up a stick.
Campen is arguably the greatest player in program history. She’s the all-time single season and career scoring leader who’s headed to Division I Monmouth University after graduation.
“Coach Becca is one of a kind,” Claire said. “She’s impacted my life more than she will ever know. Coach Becca taught me every aspect of the game. Our relationship is something I value very much. She deserves this more than anyone else, and I’m so grateful for her.”
Mikulak is a perennial All-Star and multi-sport standout who’s helped establish the girls wrestling program at Honesdale. She will be taking her game to the NCAA level at Slippery Rock next fall.
“Coach Becca first got me into the sport and has been with me ever since,” Roz said. “She’s always been a great coach who puts in so much work to make us the best we can be. Coach Becca is extremely selfless and always puts us first. I’m so happy she has reached this milestone and that we could be here for this special moment.”
Perhaps the most moving tribute came from Roz Maciejewski, the coach’s daughter.
Maciejewski is the backbone of this Lady Hornet squad. She’s a perennial All-Star and team leader who will be continuing her academic and athletic career at Temple University after graduation.
“There’s so much to say about my Mom,” Roz said. “She has been my coach throughout the years, and she has taught me everything I know about hockey.
“From a player’s standpoint, I truly believe she is one of the best coaches out there. She goes the extra mile for all of us no matter what. From a daughter’s standpoint, I have never been more proud of her. She is the hardest working woman I know. I love and appreciate her so much!”
Gratitude and perspective
Becca Maciejewski is a 1999 graduate of Honesdale High School where she was a star player under longtime Coach Dennis Longenecker.
After graduation, she headed off to East Stroudsburg University where she piled up the awards and accolades. As a senior captain, she earned team MVP honors and was named an All-American.
Maciejewski has been coaching the Lady Hornets for more than 15 years now. She’s also the driving force behind Pursuit Field Hockey, a locally-based indoor club that competes year-round.
Three years ago, Maciejewski was honored with the 2020 “Grow the Game Award,” a prestigious national honor bestowed by USA Field Hockey.
Maciejewski is the all-time winningest coach in program history. Last fall, the Red & Black piled up 17 wins and captured the Class AAA district championship. They went on to record the team’s first win at states before finally falling to Emmaus.
This year, both coach and players have their sights set even higher. But no matter where and when the season ends, Maciejewski is extremely grateful to everyone who’s supported them along the way.
“Shout-outs to all the athletes who worked to tally those wins,” she said. “To all the club and high school athletes who continue to inspire me. To my family for supporting each leg of my life’s field hockey journey from player to coach.
“Thank you to all the parents who allow me to work with their kids, the mentors I’ve had, assistants I’ve worked with, administration that’s let me have this job and the community for keeping field hockey in Honesdale hyped and healthy.”
This article originally appeared on Tri-County Independent: Honesdale's field hockey win over Wyoming Seminary is historic
