Featuring a Battle-Tested, Confident Squad, PHS Field Hockey Primed for a Stellar Campaign

After the Princeton High field hockey endured an uncharacteristic down season in 2024 when it went 6-10, a core of young players helped the Tigers resume their winning ways last fall.

With a roster including two freshmen, four sophomores, and five juniors, PHS bounced back in 2025 as it posted a 10-7 record and made a run the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) tournament final.

As the Tigers went through preseason training, PHS head coach Heather Serverson saw a battle-tested, self-assured group.

“Everyone looks good, they came back in good shape,” said Serverson. “They are playing really well together. You can see the confidence in a lot of them, it is a confidence they didn’t have before. Now they have the playing time under their belt. They have grown up now.”

The squad’s forward line of juniors Heidi Johnson, Cassie Farran, and Tessa Boyle are playing with a lot of confidence.

“Heidi has done a lot of work out of season, she looked really good in preseason,” said Serverson, whose team topped Robbinsville 4-1 in its season opener on Monday as Farran tallied two goals and Boyle contributed an assist. “I don’t know how but she has gained even more speed than she had. It is the same with Cassie and Tess. They all look really good. I am really excited to see what they are capable of.”

In the midfield, senior Lila Casto, senior Emerson Barker, junior Charlotte Flanagan, and senior Olivia Shea are poised for an exciting season.

“Lila is looking great, she is our energy,” said Serverson of Casto, who got an assist in the opener while Barker and Shea each tallied goals. “She gets them excited. She plays with full passion at all times. Emmy has really improved. Charlie is there. I might play Olivia some at forward but she is basically a midfielder. They all look really good. Their stick work, their speed, their agility, and their awareness on the field is awesome. I think they have finally just grown onto their ability.”

The quartet of senior Isabella Brescia, sophomore Hazel Whitlow, sophomore Reagan Suhocki, and freshman Anika Heuck is bringing stick work and game awareness to the back line.

“Isabella is our returning senior, she has probably had the most playing time under her belt,” said Serverson. “She has been doing a good job leading from the back. Hazel is new to the varsity team this year. I have been putting Reagan back there. They really do work so well together. I have a freshman I have been working in back there in Anika. She is so composed. She has amazing stick work, she knows how to be deceptive and use her body.”

Sophomore Juliana Funiciello is taking over at starting goalie, a role she also handles for the PHS girls’ ice hockey team.

“Juliana looks really good, she has finally found that balance between the two styles,” said Serverson. “At first she was playing very much like an ice hockey goalie. She has found a nice hybrid. She doesn’t play goalie in the typical way that you would normally coach a goalie. My style as a coach is that if it works, it works and what she is doing right now works. I am happy about it.”

Looking ahead, Serverson believes the work that her players have put in combined with the experience they have gained could lead to a special campaign.

“I think it is that the girls know the standards and we are working back towards the standards,” said Serverson, whose squad will look to keep on the winning track as it hosts WW/P-South High on September 16 and Allentown High on September 18. “They are more mature, they are stronger, they have more muscle on their frame. It is just that whole confidence, physical and mental. You can see it all over them, it is awesome.”