There are parts of last season that will make Warwick’s field hockey players wonder. What if they scored that last-minute goal? What if they had Taylor Hess?
What ifs can drive a person crazy. Or they can provide inspiration.
For Warwick, the championship window hasn’t closed. It has merely shifted toward the Class of 2027. Great players remain in Lititz. Lofty goals are within reach.
It helps that they’ll have Hess, who sat out last fall’s biggest games because of a stress fracture. Her absence was the biggest what if.
“It was pretty disappointing to miss the whole postseason,” the senior said. “That’s the most fun, in my opinion. But it was definitely an obstacle that created a good learning experience for me. I’m hoping to come back better from it.”
Warwick finished one goal short against Palmyra in its bid for a PIAA Class 2A championship repeat. A dazzling save near the end robbed the Warriors of a chance to play overtime.
Hess could have made a difference. Everyone who follows Warwick knows it.
“I definitely had those thoughts,” Hess said. “I think it’s important for us to not dwell on things we wish we could have done or would have done.”
Warwick lost a memorable senior class that was led by Karys Craver, who’s now at Ohio State. The dynamic midfielder won’t be easy to replace. The Warriors, remarkably, have another Ohio State recruit in Hess. It’s her turn to carry the mantle.
Coach Ron Stief wants Hess to be greedy and less unselfish. Those aren’t words coaches typically use, but Stief knows the kind of production Hess can provide if she emphasizes putting the ball in the net.
“She’s the new target,” Stief said. “People are gonna try to take her away. I want her to understand that and step up.”
Other key departures include Calli Martin, Lilly Bromirsky, Annalaye Glenn and Lizzy Matthews. They leave behind big shoes to fill.
Two returnees, Kenzie Ellis and Mara Moyer, are expected to spark a new-look offense.
When Ellis was asked what she could bring to the Warriors, she initially said leadership. That’s an important intangible. Stief had something else in mind. Something that shows directly on the scoreboard.
Goals. Ellis will provide those as well.
Moyer is connected to Warwick’s storied tradition. Her mom played for legendary coach Bob Derr. Moyer is ready to take on a bigger role.
“We have a pretty solid midfield and defense, but I think we’ll have a fresh offensive line,” she said. “Being the senior in that situation means helping the younger girls during the games.”
Kayla Gockley returns to lead the defense. She’ll be a center back or a defensive center midfielder and will provide some scoring on corners.
Section 1 of the Lancaster-Lebanon League is daunting with defending District 3 Class 3A champ Penn Manor, Manheim Township, Hempfield and Conestoga Valley joining Warwick on the list of contenders. Five will compete for three league playoff spots.
Warwick appeared in back-to-back state finals and reached the semifinals in 2023. The Warriors have grown accustomed to extending their season into November. They should again be a factor in Class 2A.
Gockley is taking a big picture view of her final few months wearing red and black.
“I just want to have a fun year,” she said. “We get so caught up sometimes focusing on the next game that we forget to enjoy it. We obviously want to go far.”
The what ifs are in the past for Warwick. It’s time to ask a new question. What can the Warriors do next?
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.
CHRIS KNIGHT | Staff Photographer
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