Ninety-six combined wins last year. A total 19 PIAA titles across six programs. One team ranked No. 1 nationally.
The numbers are glaring. Thundering, towering, uproarious. But to the Warwick field hockey team, each victory, each state crown, each national standing its up against is a chance to grow.
The Warriors, the 2024 PIAA Class 2A champions, have set a grueling nonleague slate this fall. They’re scheduled to play — or already have — one state fortress, two PIAA qualifiers and two District Three tournament participants from last season. The No. 1-ranked high school program in the country is The Hill School, located in Pottstown.
Warwick solved its first test on Tuesday, striking down Conestoga — the reigning state 3A champion — in a 6-2 decision. The Warriors had six players score a goal, proving they haven’t missed a step since they raised the PIAA and District Three gold trophies.
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Warwick’s Ella Klazas (13) has her shot stopped by Conestoga goalkeeper Maeve Schoettler (88) during second-half action of a high school field hockey game at Warwick High School in Lititz on Tuesday August 26, 2025.
Warwick’s Taylor Hess (7) works her wqy towards the goal against Conestoga during second-half action of a high school field hockey game at Warwick High School in Lititz on Tuesday August 26, 2025.
Warwick’s Taylor Hess (7) gets a hug from teammate Karys Craver (22) after she scored on a corner against Conestoga during second-half action of a high school field hockey game at Warwick High School in Lititz on Tuesday August 26, 2025.
Warwick’s Taylor Hess (7) scores on a corner against Conestoga during second-half action of a high school field hockey game at Warwick High School in Lititz on Tuesday August 26, 2025.
Warwick head coach Ron Stief on the sidelines as the team takes on Conestoga during second-half action of a high school field hockey game at Warwick High School in Lititz on Tuesday August 26, 2025.
Warwick’s Karys Craver (22) takes a shot on Conestoga goalkeeper Elsie Phipps (33) during first-half action of a high school field hockey game at Warwick High School in Lititz on Tuesday August 26, 2025.
Warwick goalkeeper Lizzy Matthews (98) stands in goal as the team takes on Conestoga during first-half action of a high school field hockey game at Warwick High School in Lititz on Tuesday August 26, 2025.
Warwick’s Karys Craver (22) works her way down field against Conestoga during first-half action of a high school field hockey game at Warwick High School in Lititz on Tuesday August 26, 2025.
Warwick’s Kayla Gockley (24) is greeted by teammates after scoring on a penalty stroke against Conestoga during first-half action of a high school field hockey game at Warwick High School in Lititz on Tuesday August 26, 2025.
Warwick’s Kayla Gockley (24) scores on a penalty stroke against Conestoga during first-half action of a high school field hockey game at Warwick High School in Lititz on Tuesday August 26, 2025.
Warwick’s Taylor Hess (7) and Conestoga’s Aubrey DelOrefice (18) get locked up during first-half action of a high school field hockey game at Warwick High School in Lititz on Tuesday August 26, 2025.
Warwick’s Karys Craver (22) takes a shot on a corner against Conestoga during first-half action of a high school field hockey game at Warwick High School in Lititz on Tuesday August 26, 2025.
Warwick’s Kenzie Ellis (2) takes a shot on Conestoga gaolkeeper Elsie Phipps (33) during first-half action of a high school field hockey game at Warwick High School in Lititz on Tuesday August 26, 2025.
Warwick’s Karys Craver (22) takes a shot against Conestoga during first-half action of a high school field hockey game at Warwick High School in Lititz on Tuesday August 26, 2025.
Warwick’s Madelyn Kratzer (3) hits the ball downfield against Conestoga during first-half action of a high school field hockey game at Warwick High School in Lititz on Tuesday August 26, 2025.
Warwick’s Ella Klazas (13) has her shot stopped by Conestoga goalkeeper Maeve Schoettler (88) during second-half action of a high school field hockey game at Warwick High School in Lititz on Tuesday August 26, 2025.
Warwick’s Taylor Hess (7) works her wqy towards the goal against Conestoga during second-half action of a high school field hockey game at Warwick High School in Lititz on Tuesday August 26, 2025.
Warwick’s Taylor Hess (7) gets a hug from teammate Karys Craver (22) after she scored on a corner against Conestoga during second-half action of a high school field hockey game at Warwick High School in Lititz on Tuesday August 26, 2025.
Warwick’s Taylor Hess (7) scores on a corner against Conestoga during second-half action of a high school field hockey game at Warwick High School in Lititz on Tuesday August 26, 2025.
Warwick head coach Ron Stief on the sidelines as the team takes on Conestoga during second-half action of a high school field hockey game at Warwick High School in Lititz on Tuesday August 26, 2025.
Warwick’s Karys Craver (22) takes a shot on Conestoga goalkeeper Elsie Phipps (33) during first-half action of a high school field hockey game at Warwick High School in Lititz on Tuesday August 26, 2025.
Warwick goalkeeper Lizzy Matthews (98) stands in goal as the team takes on Conestoga during first-half action of a high school field hockey game at Warwick High School in Lititz on Tuesday August 26, 2025.
Warwick’s Karys Craver (22) works her way down field against Conestoga during first-half action of a high school field hockey game at Warwick High School in Lititz on Tuesday August 26, 2025.
Warwick’s Kayla Gockley (24) is greeted by teammates after scoring on a penalty stroke against Conestoga during first-half action of a high school field hockey game at Warwick High School in Lititz on Tuesday August 26, 2025.
Warwick’s Kayla Gockley (24) scores on a penalty stroke against Conestoga during first-half action of a high school field hockey game at Warwick High School in Lititz on Tuesday August 26, 2025.
Warwick’s Taylor Hess (7) and Conestoga’s Aubrey DelOrefice (18) get locked up during first-half action of a high school field hockey game at Warwick High School in Lititz on Tuesday August 26, 2025.
Warwick’s Karys Craver (22) takes a shot on a corner against Conestoga during first-half action of a high school field hockey game at Warwick High School in Lititz on Tuesday August 26, 2025.
Warwick’s Kenzie Ellis (2) takes a shot on Conestoga gaolkeeper Elsie Phipps (33) during first-half action of a high school field hockey game at Warwick High School in Lititz on Tuesday August 26, 2025.
Warwick’s Karys Craver (22) takes a shot against Conestoga during first-half action of a high school field hockey game at Warwick High School in Lititz on Tuesday August 26, 2025.
Warwick’s Madelyn Kratzer (3) hits the ball downfield against Conestoga during first-half action of a high school field hockey game at Warwick High School in Lititz on Tuesday August 26, 2025.
“Scheduling those nonleague and nonsection games was super important for us,” senior Karys Craver said. “No one really wanted to play us this year because we’re 2A, and we’re pretty good. So being able to get those schools like Crestwood is really beneficial because it just challenges us. We could lose six games this (regular) season and still win the state title. But we got better along the way, and that’s what’s most important.
“It’s not your record at the end of the season; it’s if you’re holding that gold medal.”
Crestwood and Twin Valley are the Warriors’ 2A counterparts. Wilson joins Conestoga in the 3A category. Oley Valley is Warwick’s lone Class 1A opponent, and Lower Dauphin (3A) and The Hill School (non-PIAA) are scrimmage matchups.
Across the board, the programs are rich in success. LD touts seven state titles. Crestwood’s five championships edges Warwick’s four, and Oley Valley has a hat trick. Twin Valley has two state crowns, while Wilson and Conestoga each have one. The Hill School won the 2024 PAISAA and MAL crowns, finishing with a 22-0 record while outscoring its competition 115-6.
So why, having already ascended the field hockey mountain, does Warwick feel the need to improve? Not to mention the bruising they sustain in Lancaster-Lebanon League Section One play with Manheim Township and Penn Manor.
Tuesday’s game served as the measuring stick.
“I was asked, ‘Are you glad you got scored on,’ and the answer is, ‘Yeah,’ ” Warwick coach Ron Stief said following Tuesday’s proceedings. “It was 2-1 at halftime, but we were really confident. There wasn’t a panic that was with us, and Conestoga is good. We could have panicked a little bit, but you just felt this calm, this sense of control. And I really like seeing that. I really think that’ll bode us well for the rest of the season.”
The players mimic their coach’s approach. Craver, admittedly, was uncharacteristically nervous ahead of Tuesday’s game. Others, like junior Taylor Hess, were overcome with a range of emotions.
The blend of anxiousness — good and overwhelming — is welcomed. It’s a self-check that shows the desire to strike the next gear.
Interview with Warwick’s Karys Craver at L-L Field Hockey Media Day
“It’s a bit of everything,” Hess said. “We’re excited because it’s a good challenge. We want to see how we kind of compare with 3A. And I think it was just a little nervousness, obviously, because we knew they were good. We knew they were a force to be reckoned with.”
To the Warriors’ surprise, they cleared Conestoga with relative ease. They outshot the visitors 20-5 and produced 14 corners to the Pioneers’ two. Warwick knows that won’t be the outcome of every anticipated scuffle, but Tuesday stoked confidence that was previously untapped.
“I think we’re a well-oiled machine,” Craver said. “It doesn’t even feel much different than last year. It’s honestly awesome. Our preseason looked really good, especially compared to last year.”
While Conestoga lifted the lid on the toilsome nonleague stretch, the Warriors will cap the gamut with The Hill School. Right ahead of postseason play.
“I just want to see it before the playoffs, and if they hand it to us, so be it,” Stief said. “We don’t care. We just want to play good hockey and get better for leagues and then districts and then states.”
Warwick isn’t numb to the glaring numbers and success of its nonleague opponents. The Warriors just greet it, tackle it head on.
“It feels like a long time ago,” Stief said of the PIAA run, “and it was a fun ride, and they enjoyed it. They want to do that again. To say your district and state champions is kind of cool, but you can’t get there without the work. And they really have put in the work.
“They’re great field hockey players. It’s what they want to do.”
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