Eastern High School’s field hockey team winning state titles and the Tournament of Champions has become as much of a holiday tradition as baking cookies or shopping on Black Friday.
The championship is the sixth for Eastern in the eight years of the Tournament of Champions. It also marks its 106th consecutive game without a loss, which gave Eastern’s seniors, such as Austyn Cuneo, an undefeated career.
“It feels great carrying on the tradition,” Cuneo said. “We wanted to make sure that we weren’t the ones who ended it. There was a little pressure coming in, knowing that you haven’t lost in all of high school. But I think that everyone on this team hasn’t lost yet, so there was pressure on everyone. Knowing this was my last game, I’m happy we pulled through.”
Cuneo, a forward and the nation’s leading career goals scorer with 328, scored twice for Eastern against Oak Knoll, recording her 94th and 95th goals of the season.
With 15 consecutive state championships, and the expectation to win another, Eastern’s field hockey team knew it didn’t want to disappoint. But coach Danyle Heilig repeatedly reminded the Vikings that the game wasn’t about them being the girls to end the tradition, it was about being the ones to carry it on.
“The sweet 16 is great, especially with some of the players we have. They’re a very special group,” Heilig said. “We are really proud of the way we stepped on the field. This is about enjoying the opportunity and taking in the whole experience.”
