On Friday night many of the athletes who played field hockey at Ocean City High School during the
past three decades will gather in Tuckahoe to honor Trish LeFever, who retired after 28 seasons as
the OCHS coach.
In those 28 seasons, LeFever’s teams were 486-76-54, included 22-2 last season. She leaves having
won 13 straight conference championships and having won her seventh state championship in her final
season. She has 18 overall conference championships and nine South Jersey titles.
As you would imagine, with all those successful teams there were some very good players who played
for LeFever at OCHS. One of them – Cory Picketts Terry – has been selected to take over the challenge
of coaching the Raiders. A two-time South Jersey scoring champ while playing for OCHS, Terry was a
four-year player at Princeton, leading the Tigers into the NCAA Final Four. She was also Ocean City
High School’s Female Athlete of the Century. This week, she and assistant Tracey LeFever, are at field
hockey camp with the 2010 team.
A handful of those players offer their evaluation here of why LeFever was so successful over those 28
years.
Marcia Miller Shallcross, former OCHS assistant coach: My best memories from high school
revolve around field hockey – the friendships, experiences and school spirit. Trish instilled a work ethic
and sense of pride in all who went through her program. Coaching with her taught me even more life
lessons. I run the alumni game every year because it affords me an opportunity to play again plus be
reminded of all the great lessons I learned from field hockey and Trish LeFever.
Maggie Long, assistant field hockey coach, Monmouth University: Mrs. LeFever has had a
tremendous impact on a lot of us. For me specifically she has had the largest influence on my coaching
style. Having played for and worked under several NCAA Division I coaches for the last few years at the
collegiate level I truly recognize how much I have learned from her both on and off the field. I have taken
from her so many life lessons. She truly does take the time to teach each of her players values of hard
work, team work and character.
Kelsey Nickles, graduate assistant coach, Temple University: I have had a lot of coaches during
my field hockey career but I can say with confidence that Trish LeFever was hands down the best coach
I ever had the opportunity to play under. She taught me the game of field hockey, gave me the skills I
needed to become a successful athlete and instilled a love for the sport which still burns inside me. These
things seem minuscule and trivial compared to the life lessons which I learned from having Trish as a coach.
She always demanded the most from me as a student, an athlete and a person. She pushed me to limits I
was not aware existed and challenged me to be the best, not only at field hockey but in any endeavor I took
on. I will forever be grateful to Trish for teaching me the true meaning of hard work and determination. I
can honestly say that I would not have achieved the successes I have, to date, including completing four
years of Division I field hockey and receiving a degree from an Ivy League University (Penn), if it wasn't
for the work ethic I gained from being coached by Trish. As I continue to work in the sport and start my
own career as a coach, I can only hope that I instill the same confidence, pride, and love in my athletes
as Trish has in hers. I wish her the best of luck in her retirement and she will most definitely be missed
in the field hockey community.
Casey Beyel, senior at Duke University: Mrs. LeFever believed in every girl she coached and
pushed us all above and beyond our potential. She brought together very diverse groups of girls each year
and never failed to create and form a successful, cohesive team. She is incredibly humble and never liked
to be recognized, so now that she has retired, it is time for her to receive all the recognition she deserves.
I could not have asked for a better coach, not only because I learned so much about the game, but about
life as well.
Danielle McNally, freshman at Indiana University: Being able to play for Mrs. LeFever was a privilege.
She is an amazing coach and person. I couldn't have asked for a better coach – she really knows the game
and everything about it. She knows what it takes to be a successful coach and how to bring a team together.
Mrs. LeFever is such a great coach she can work with anyone and make them better. For me, personally,
she basically taught me everything I know. I started playing field hockey because of her. She has influenced
me as a player because she has shown me what I am capable of doing and how far I can push myself. She
has taught me how to be a leader on the field and how to work with everyone. She has not only made me a
better player, but also a better person because she has shown me what it takes to be a true leader and what
you have to sacrifice sometimes in order to be a part of the best. She is a successful coach because she
works just as hard as the players do. Mrs. LeFever puts in countless hours of her time into planning a practice
or coming up with drills. She was an amazing coach and I am honored to have had to opportunity to play for her.
There are undoubtedly hundreds more who would offer similar remarks about LeFever’s influence on them,
not only as field hockey players but also as student-athletes and as citizens.
On Friday night, from 6-9 p.m., many of them will come to The Station House in Tuckahoe to remember their
experiences in an OCHS uniform and offer a final salute to the coach that influenced them so much. The dinner
is open to the public and you get more information from Shallcross at 609-390-0247 or at
marciashallcross@hotmail.com.
For Trish LeFever, Friday night will give her a chance to relive a magnificent 28-year career.
The Trish LeFever Era
Season Record Leading Scorer Championships
2009 22-2-0 Colleen Slaughter 51 NJ3/SJ3/Amer
2008 21-1-1 Colleen Slaughter 25 SJ3/Amer
2007 18-3-1 Katie Corson 20 Amer
2006 20-1-1 Kimmie Krzyk 27 SJ3/Amer
2005 22-1-1 Kimmie Krzyk 25 NJ3/SJ3/CAL
2004 19-2-2 Melissa Hunter 27 CAL
2003 21-2-1 Rachel Cheafsky 39 CAL
2002 23-0-1 Nikki Hinsley 22 NJ3/SJ3/Amer
2001 21-3-1 Nikki Hinsley/Julie Southard 21 NJ3/SJ3/CAL
2000 19-3-1 Meredith Long 23 Amer
1999 23-0-3 Cory Picketts 36 NJS/SJ3/Amer
1998 23-2-1 Cory Picketts 34 NJS/SJ3/Amer
1997 24-1-0 Abbey Woolley 41 NJS/SJ3/Amer
1996 14-3-3 Jaime Butcher 12
1995 15-3-5 Michelle Busby 12
1994 16-3-3 Stephanie McGuirl 21
1993 17-2-3 Courtney Asselta/Stephanie McGuirl 13 CAL
1992 16-3-3 three tied 7 Amer
1991 15-4-3 Courtney Asselta 9
1990 15-4-3 Julie Allen 14
1989 18-1-2 Sue Bloomstead 28 Nat
1988 17-2-1 Jen Blizzard 14 CAL
1987 15-3-2 Sue Bloomstead 15 Nat
1986 11-4-3 Kristie Miller 25
1985 16-3-2 Kristie Miller 24
1984 14-5-1 Kristie Miller/Klaudia Gorman 21
1983 4-10-4 Sue North 8
1982 7-5-2 Cindy Marks 13
