Del Val field hockey is looking to carry the momentum from its currently undefeated season into Saturday’s Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament matchup against Phillipsburg. As the No. 5 seed, the Terriers are preparing to face the No. 4 seed Stateliners for the first time since 2022.
After defeating Hunterdon Central last week, Del Val is entering the game with confidence. Coach Stephanie Rifflard acknowledged the challenge ahead but sees the matchup as an opportunity for her team to prove itself against a higher-level opponent.
“We’re playing Phillipsburg, the No. 4 seed; we’re the No. 5 seed, so it’s going to be tough,” Rifflard said. “We beat Central last week, so we’re moving on up and hoping to make it to the semis.”
While Phillipsburg competes in a higher division than Del Val, Rifflard views Saturday’s game as more than just a chance to advance. Since the teams haven’t played each other in four years, it will also be an opportunity for Del Val to see how it matches up against Phillipsburg.
“It’s going to be a tough game,” Rifflard said. “They’re going to be good. They play in a higher division than us. They play tougher teams than us. So I think it’s something for us to prove, kind of, where we’re at, and hopefully, come away with the win.”
Despite the challenge, the Terriers’ resilience stems from their team chemistry. Rifflard emphasizes the importance of building a supportive environment.
“Over the last two years, we’ve built a family vibe,” Rifflard said. “Everybody’s in it together; everybody works hard every day and supports each other.”
Captain Sadie Erling reiterated her coach’s view, expressing excitement about the team’s chances against Phillipsburg.
“Our team feels great,” Erling said. “We’re extremely excited for the rest of the season. I think we have a good chance of winning, and it’s going to be a close game, but we can definitely pull through.”
To prepare for Saturday, the team has focused on studying its opponent and finding areas for its own improvement.
“We’ve been watching film on Phillipsburg and just seeing what we can do to better our team in order to win on Saturday,” Erling said.
As the tournament continues, Del Val will look to combine that preparation with the teamwork that has defined the program. Erling said maintaining strong relationships on the field will be essential as the team faces the challenge ahead.
“I think we just have to stick together and continue to grow our team chemistry,” Erling said.
The winner of Saturday’s game will advance to the semifinals of the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament. As the No. 5 seed, Saturday presents both a test of the Terriers’ progress and a chance to see how they have developed since they last faced the Stateliners four years ago.
The game is away at Phillipsburg High School and will begin at 1 p.m.
