Kayla Gockley had a defining quality that coach Ron Stief couldn’t teach. She was assertive, dogmatic, cut and dry.
This was in middle school. Warwick field hockey teammates gave her the nickname “Mom” or “Mother.”
“She was always laying down the law,” Stief said, “and (assistant coach) Emily Davis and I needed that. Because if we were gonna constantly correct every one of them, it was a pain. So it was better coming from a player that was actually accomplished. She did that and took leadership then.”
Gockley’s edge made her a fearless leader in the seventh- and eighth-grade ranks. She upholds the label as a junior in high school, paving the way and showing the path for the Warriors’ defense.
Gockley, a Penn pledge, was the lone returning starter in Warwick’s back corps this season. Sophomores Elena Care, Madelyn Kratzer and Stella Ashcroft have been following her blueprint.
The junior’s defensive design has underscored a return to the PIAA Class 2A final. Warwick will brace for title defense against Palmyra — which beat the Warriors 5-0 in the District Three championship game — Saturday at Cumberland Valley at 1 p.m.
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Warwick’s Maddie Huber (5) takes a shot on the Dallas goal during second-half action of a PIAA Class 2A field hockey first-round game at Warwick High School in Lititz on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025.
Warwick’s Kayla Gockley (24) passes the ball downfield against Dallas during second-half action of a PIAA Class 2A field hockey first-round game at Warwick High School in Lititz on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025.
Warwick’s Kayla Gockley (24) takes a shot on a corner against Dallas during first-half action of a PIAA Class 2A field hockey first-round game at Warwick High School in Lititz on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025.
Warwick head coach Ron Stief on the sidelines against Dallas during second-half action of a PIAA Class 2A field hockey first-round game at Warwick High School in Lititz on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025.
Warwick’s Mara Moyer sends the ball downfield against Dallas during first-half action of a PIAA Class 2A field hockey first-round game at Warwick High School in Lititz on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025.
Warwick’s Karys Craver (22) takes a shot against Dallas during first-half action of a PIAA Class 2A field hockey first round game at Warwick High School in Lititz on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025.
Warwick’s Addie Martin (51) passes the ball downfield against Dallas during first-half action of a PIAA Class 2A field hockey first-round game at Warwick High School in Lititz on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025.
Warwick’s Karys Craver, right, gets a hug from teammate Lilly Bromirsk, left, after scoring against Dallas during first-half action of a PIAA Class 2A field hockey first-round game at Warwick High School in Lititz on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025.
Warwick’s Karys Craver (22) shoots and scores against Dallas during first-half action of a PIAA Class 2A field hockey first-round game at Warwick High School in Lititz on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025.
Warwick’s Calli Martin (11) gets the assist on a goal against Dallas during first-half action of a PIAA Class 2A field hockey first-round game at Warwick High School in Lititz on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025.
Warwick’s Karys Craver (22) works the ball downfield against Dallas during first-half action of a PIAA Class 2A field hockey first-round game at Warwick High School in Lititz on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025.
Warwick’s Kayla Gockley (24) sends the ball in on a corner against Dallas during first-half action of a PIAA Class 2A field hockey first-round game at Warwick High School in Lititz on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025.
Warwick’s Lilly Bromirski (6) has her shot blocked by Dallas’s Alyssa Traver (77) during first-half action of a PIAA Class 2A field hockey first round game at Warwick High School in Lititz on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025.
Warwick’s Karys Craver (22) has her shot blocked by Dallas goalkeeper Alyssa Traver (77) during first-half action of a PIAA Class 2A field hockey first round game at Warwick High School in Lititz on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025.
Warwick’s Karys Craver (22) takes a shot against Dallas during first-half action of a PIAA Class 2A field hockey first round game at Warwick High School in Lititz on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025.
Warwick’s Maddie Huber (5) takes a shot on the Dallas goal during second-half action of a PIAA Class 2A field hockey first-round game at Warwick High School in Lititz on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025.
Warwick’s Kayla Gockley (24) passes the ball downfield against Dallas during second-half action of a PIAA Class 2A field hockey first-round game at Warwick High School in Lititz on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025.
Warwick’s Kayla Gockley (24) takes a shot on a corner against Dallas during first-half action of a PIAA Class 2A field hockey first-round game at Warwick High School in Lititz on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025.
Warwick head coach Ron Stief on the sidelines against Dallas during second-half action of a PIAA Class 2A field hockey first-round game at Warwick High School in Lititz on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025.
Warwick’s Mara Moyer sends the ball downfield against Dallas during first-half action of a PIAA Class 2A field hockey first-round game at Warwick High School in Lititz on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025.
Warwick’s Karys Craver (22) takes a shot against Dallas during first-half action of a PIAA Class 2A field hockey first round game at Warwick High School in Lititz on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025.
Warwick’s Addie Martin (51) passes the ball downfield against Dallas during first-half action of a PIAA Class 2A field hockey first-round game at Warwick High School in Lititz on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025.
Warwick’s Karys Craver, right, gets a hug from teammate Lilly Bromirsk, left, after scoring against Dallas during first-half action of a PIAA Class 2A field hockey first-round game at Warwick High School in Lititz on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025.
Warwick’s Karys Craver (22) shoots and scores against Dallas during first-half action of a PIAA Class 2A field hockey first-round game at Warwick High School in Lititz on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025.
Warwick’s Calli Martin (11) gets the assist on a goal against Dallas during first-half action of a PIAA Class 2A field hockey first-round game at Warwick High School in Lititz on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025.
Warwick’s Karys Craver (22) works the ball downfield against Dallas during first-half action of a PIAA Class 2A field hockey first-round game at Warwick High School in Lititz on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025.
Warwick’s Kayla Gockley (24) sends the ball in on a corner against Dallas during first-half action of a PIAA Class 2A field hockey first-round game at Warwick High School in Lititz on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025.
Warwick’s Lilly Bromirski (6) has her shot blocked by Dallas’s Alyssa Traver (77) during first-half action of a PIAA Class 2A field hockey first round game at Warwick High School in Lititz on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025.
Warwick’s Karys Craver (22) has her shot blocked by Dallas goalkeeper Alyssa Traver (77) during first-half action of a PIAA Class 2A field hockey first round game at Warwick High School in Lititz on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025.
Warwick’s Karys Craver (22) takes a shot against Dallas during first-half action of a PIAA Class 2A field hockey first round game at Warwick High School in Lititz on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025.
“They’re just so energetic and just want to play,” Gockley said of her defensive unit. “They’re wanting to learn and get better. Any feedback they’re given from me or the coaches, whoever it is, they listen to it, and they change. It’s really great to work with all of them.”
While Gockley bore leadership at a young age, she once was the new face in the Warriors’ defensive rotation. She was the timid link, had the underclassmen jitters.
The trial-by-fire process has allowed her to convey perspective to the sophomore trio. She’s mirrored the approach and teachings of former teammates.
“They’ve been adapting to the game and the speed of playing,” Gockley said. “Madelyn got a little bit of time last year, but they’ve all been learning and coming up together.”
It was no mistake the Warriors pitched three shutouts in the District Three tournament until the title-tilt demise. It was no wonder Warwick allowed an average of five shots per game during the regular season. There was no questioning why section, league and district crowns were always plausible.
Gockley and her sophomore bunch have clicked. They’ve fastened a stronghold. Opposing attacks must strike nail and hammer to break through the brick wall.
“Being the young players isn’t hard necessarily, but it can be difficult,” Ashcroft said. “And having each other, having each other’s backs, it helps us recover and do anything. We’re always there for each other, and if we make a mistake, no one’s upset, because we know that we’re all behind each other to get it back.”
The mutual understanding began off the pitch. Gockley created a group chat, “The Best Defense in the World,” to spark belief and camaraderie.
The text chain includes jokes, schedule plans, the usual for teens. On game day, the focus shifts to words of encouragement and motivational discourse.
“We keep the confidence up,” Care said. “Being close as a team in general, it’s very important. (Gockley) will send us, ‘Here’s the rundown of what’s gonna happen,’ and we’ll add things, and we’ll break it down together. It’s just good because it gives us that support, knowing that we can say something without being judged or criticized.”
Gockley fields an array of questions. From skill inquiries, confusion or the bigger picture of life, she has an answer.
“We’re still getting that experience,” Kratzer said. “But I think having Kayla for the little things, or really anything, she’s been in our shoes. Now it’s our time to step up and support her.”
Gockley no longer hears the nickname “Mom” or “Mother,” but she still embodies the characteristics. It’s an innate quality, one the Warriors will always gravitate toward.
“(The sophomores) understand that she has a ton of experience,” Stief said. “… They were nervous about making mistakes at the beginning of the year, but now, it’s about what they do after that and how they respond. They’re stepping to the ball really well, making quick decisions and outletting the ball. They’re going a great job.”
Whatever the outcome Saturday, Gockley will remain the fearless leader. She’ll be assertive, dogmatic, cut and dry in her quest to keep the Cougars away from the cage. She’ll be forgiving, uplifting and understanding if the cards fall in the opposite direction.
That brand of leadership can’t be taught.
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