1978 Delaware Valley Field Hockey Team - "The Dream Team"

The Fall of 1978 saw a group of young women set their sites on a lofty goal, outwork every team in Pennsylvania, and return to Milford with a state championship trophy. Fifteen athletes and two coaches, devoted to each other, were able to run through the season without a loss, compiling an impressive 22-0 record. Along the way to glory they were Wayne League Champions, District XII Champions, then finally Pennsylvania State Champions. The Warriors outscored their opponents 13-1 during the four game state tournament, bringing Delaware Valley High School its first ever state championship in any sport.

During the early 1970’s, women’s sports were just getting started at Delaware Valley. In the 8 short years between field hockey’s inception in 1970 and the undefeated season of 1978, the program racked up three District XII championships, ending the 1976 season with a loss in the state quarterfinals and the 1977 season with a loss to Cedar Crest 1-0 in the state semifinals. In 1978, the Warriors would avenge their previous season’s loss with a 3-0 pounding of Cedar Crest in the finals, and finally be crowned state champions!

Row 1: Sue Lapriore, Annette denOuter, Eve Eberz, Jill Ridley, Debbie Brandt, Betsy Rutkowski

Row 2: Head Coach Jan Edwards, Jeanette Kyle, JoAnne Brink, Kathy Lacken, Lynette Kyle, Assistant Coach Sue Pittenger

Row 3: Rene McCaslin, Cindy Schock, Nancy Prigge, Beth Case, Kelly Drake