It was a night of reflections and memories.
Neshaminy celebrated the 40th anniversary of winning the 1983 PIAA Class 3A field hockey title by inviting team members to a reception at the school last month.
Afterwards, the team was presented to the crowd in Harry E. Franks Stadium and enjoyed a Suburban One League National Conference game between Neshaminy and visiting Pennsbury won by the home team 4-0.
Members of the 1983 team in attendance were Carol Cunningham, Cindy Daeche, Lisa Dengler, Kelly Kopack, Laura Megahan, Linda Pellegrino, Melinda Sears, Marie Sheenan, Kelly Simonds, Chris Stanford and Carol Vile, along with head coach Sheila Murphy and athletic director Ray Kelly.
Team members unable to attend were Miriam Geller, Carol Kokotajlo, Dina Mashi, Bonnie McGee, Pattie McGee, Barbara Montgomery, Sandee Turcich and assistant coach Diana Hibbs.
The team went 20-1-2, winning the Suburban One League, District One and Region One titles before topping Unionville 3-0 for the state crown.
“It was the most amazing high school experience,” said Megahan, now Laura Wright, who was a defender. “The weather was pouring rain the day of the state final but the thing I remember most is that when we came back from the game, there were a bunch of fire trucks waiting for us and we were so excited that they were there for us. Also, the boys soccer team was waiting at the school with a bunch of signs cheering and congratulating us.”
There are traditions that team established that the program continues to this day.
“We used to sing the alma mater whenever we got back to the school after a road game, and they still do that now,” said Sears, now Melinda Reed, who was a forward on the team. “You don’t always remember everything, but one thing I definitely remember about the state championship game is that Carol Vile had to come out and Pattie (McGee) went in for about 30 seconds, and in that time she scored and I was so excited for her. It just proved that the bench contributes.”
The year was significant because it was the first season after Neshaminy closed Maple Point as a high school, so players from both teams were merged into one program.
“At the beginning of the season back in 1983 I had no idea that team was going to be state champions,” said Murphy, who is the executive secretary for the Suburban One League. “We had some issues in the beginning because we were merging teams from Neshaminy Langhorne and Neshaminy Maple Point but we put a lot of effort into bringing everyone together and that worked. The girls came together and they played their best hockey at the right time.”
Dengler was one of the Maple Point transfers. Dengler, now Lisa Pennington, was the head coach at Neshaminy before becoming the athletic director, a position she still holds. She led the team to its second district crown in 2008.
“It was tough because you’re coming to a different high school and to a coaching staff that was already here,” Pennington said. “All of us were wondering if we had a chance. It was difficult in the beginning but once we got going, we got friendly and that made the transition easier.”
The team surprised Murphy with the announcement that they are sponsoring a field hockey scholarship in their former mentor’s name.
“I’m overwhelmed,” Murphy said. “This was a wonderful night and I’m just so thrilled about the scholarship. What an unbelievable surprise.”
“At the beginning of the season back in 1983 I had no idea that team was going to be state champions. We had some issues in the beginning because we were merging teams from Neshaminy Langhorne and Neshaminy Maple Point but we put a lot of effort into bringing everyone together and that worked. The girls came together, and they played their best hockey at the right time.”
Many of the players continued to be involved in field hockey. Pellegrino, now Linda Curley, who played at Maryland, was the head coach at Neshaminy after Murphy left to become the athletic director. Kopack, now Kelly Kaufman, was the head coach at Pennsbury after a standout career at Duke. Cunningham, now Carol Alexis, watched her two daughters, Abigail and Emily, continue the tradition by playing hockey for Neshaminy. Her father, John “Jack” Cunningham, was a 1955 Neshaminy alum. Wright watched daughters Ashley, Katrina and Tori play for Council Rock South.
Join our readers whose generous donations are making it possible for you to read our news coverage. Help keep local journalism alive and our community strong. Donate today.
