NJ.com recently released its 2019 Essex/Union Conference All-Stars field hockey post season honors and most notably the undefeated, Tournament of Champions-winning varsity Oak Knoll Royals field hockey program scooped up Team of the Year in addition to four other accolades.

“What this team was able to accomplish this season was truly remarkable,” said Kelly Childs, Athletic Director at Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child. “We competed against the best teams in the state and had a challenging out-of-conference schedule playing other nationally ranked programs. The coaches and student-athletes worked so hard for everything they earned this year and we couldn’t be prouder of their individual and collective accomplishments,” she said.

In addition to being named Team of the Year, Avery Donahue ’20, Royals senior center midfielder, was also honored by NJ.com Essex/Union Conference All-Stars (as selected by the coaches of the Essex/Union Conference) for Player of the Year and named to the All-State First Team.

NJ.com also named three of Donahue’s teammates to the All-State, First Team. They include senior forward Annabelle Brodeur ’20; junior defense Keely Comizio ’21 and senior forward Bridget Murphy ’20.

Senior defense player Emily Antunes ’20 was also named to the All-State Second Team while Royals goalkeeper and junior Colleen Quinn ’21 and junior defensive player Gabby Volpe ’21 were both named to the All-State Third Team.

The Royals’ postseason accolades don’t stop here, however. Four of the field hockey players were also among 48 student athletes to be recognized by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) as GoPlay Sports Tours/NFHCA High School All-Americans. These selections were also divided into first team – Donahue and Murphy; second team – Comizio and third team – Brodeur.

Royals Field Hockey Head Coach, Ali Good, said the team is made up of 25 extremely talented players, but what makes them so successful is their bond as teammates.

“They truly play for each other,” she said. “The combination of their skill and heart is unbeatable. We had a special group led by our nine exceptional seniors who embodied every day ‘whatever it takes’ to have a historic season for Oak Knoll field hockey. I am so proud as their coach and so fortunate to be part of this team’s amazing journey.”

Congratulations Royals!