Pennsylvania powerhouses and unbeatens Emmaus and Donegal finish at the top of MAX Field Hockey’s Final 2016 PA/NJ Region Rankings, after capturing the AAA and AA state titles. The two undefeated squads outscored opponents by a combined 385 goals for and only 27 goals against. Emmaus finish the season at a perfect 28-0 and repeat as Pennsylvania AAA State Champs, perhaps the most difficult state championship in the country to win. 7 of the 16 teams in the AAA tournament were ranked in the Top 20 in the region going into the tournament. Donegal finish the season at a perfect 29-0 and claim the AA title after losing in the semifinals last year to Villa Maria Academy. They defeated Villa Maria in the semis this year 4-3 in OT to face Merion Mercy Academy in the final. A game they would win convincingly 6-2 to claim the title.
[View the final PA & NJ state brackets at the High School Postseason Central]
TOP 20 BREAKDOWN:
*12 of the Final PA/NJ Region Top 20 teams were ranked coming into the season [View Preseason Top 20 Rankings]
*7 teams won state championships, 5 were runner-up
*State Breakdown: Pennsylvania: 14, New Jersey: 6
*Public/Private Breakdown: 15 public schools, 5 private schools
2016 FINAL PA/NJ REGION RANKINGS
EMMAUS HIGH SCHOOL
Emmaus, Pennsylvania
Record: 28-0-0
Previous Ranking: #1
Preseason Ranking: #2
2016 Accomplishments: AAA State Champions
DONEGAL HIGH SCHOOL
Mount Joy, Pennsylvania
Record: 29-0-0
Previous Ranking: #2
Preseason Ranking: #6
2016 Accomplishments: AA State Champions
PENN MANOR HIGH SCHOOL
Millersville, Pennsylvania
Record: 19-3-0
Previous Ranking: #3
Preseason Ranking: #5
2016 Accomplishments: AAA State Semifinalist (lost to Emmaus 1-0)
VILLA MARIA ACADEMY
Malvern, Pennsylvania
Record: 20-3-0
Previous Ranking: #4
Preseason Ranking: #7
2016 Accomplishments: AA State Semifinalist (lost to Donegal 4-3 OT)
WEST ESSEX HIGH SCHOOL
Caldwell, New Jersey
Record: 24-1-0
Previous Ranking: #9
Preseason Ranking: #11
2016 Accomplishments: Tournament of Champions Winner, Group 2 Champions
PALMYRA AREA HIGH SCHOOL
Palmyra, Pennsylvania
Record: 23-3-0
Previous Ranking: #7
Preseason Ranking: #3
2016 Accomplishments: AAA State Runner-Up
UNIONVILLE HIGH SCHOOL
Kennett Square, Pennsylvania
Record: 22-3-0
Previous Ranking: #5
Preseason Ranking: #10
2016 Accomplishments: AAA State Quarterfinalist
CONESTOGA HIGH SCHOOL
Berwyn, Pennsylvania
Record: 22-2-0
Previous Ranking: #10
Preseason Ranking: NR
2016 Accomplishments: AAA State Quarterfinalist
LOWER DAUPHIN HIGH SCHOOL
Hummelstown, Pennsylvania
Record: 17-6-0
Previous Ranking: #11
Preseason Ranking: #8
2016 Accomplishments: AAA State Semifinalist
EASTERN REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Voorhees Township, New Jersey
Record: 23-3-0
Previous Ranking: #6
Preseason Ranking: #1
2016 Accomplishments: Tournament of Champions Runner-Up, Group IV Champions
MERION-MERCY ACADEMY
Merion Station, Pennsylvania
Record: 19-5-2
Previous Ranking: #16
Preseason Ranking: NR
2016 Accomplishments: AA State Runner-Up
RUMSON-FAIR HAVEN HIGH SCHOOL
Rumson, New Jersey
Record: 20-2-0
Previous Ranking: #13
Preseason Ranking: #15
2016 Accomplishments: Group 2 State Runner-Up
MORAVIAN ACADEMY
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Record: 25-1-0
Previous Ranking: NR
Preseason Ranking: NR
2016 Accomplishments: A State Champions
STROUDSBURG HIGH SCHOOL
Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania
Record: 21-3-0
Previous Ranking: NR
Preseason Ranking: NR
2016 Accomplishments: AAA Quarterfinalist
OCEAN CITY HIGH SCHOOL
Ocean City, New Jersey
Record: 22-4-0
Previous Ranking: #20
Preseason Ranking: #17
2016 Accomplishments: Tournament of Champions Semifinalist, Group III State Champions
OLEY VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL
Oley, Pennsylvania
Record: 26-1-0
Previous Ranking: #15
Preseason Ranking: NR
2016 Accomplishments: A State Runner-Up
BISHOP EUSTACE PREP SCHOOL
Pennsauken Township, New Jersey
Record: 22-4-0
Previous Ranking: NR
Preseason Ranking: NR
2016 Accomplishments: Tournament of Champions Semifinalist, Non-Public School Champions
OAK KNOLL SCHOOL
Summit, New Jersey
Record: 20-3-0
Previous Ranking: #8
Preseason Ranking: #4
2016 Accomplishments: Non-Public School State Runner-Up
DOWNINGTOWN WEST HIGH SCHOOL
Downingtown, Pennsylvania
Record: 17-7-0
Previous Ranking: NR
Preseason Ranking: NR
2016 Accomplishments: AAA State Quarterfinalist
HERSHEY HIGH SCHOOL
Hershey, Pennsylvania
Record: 16-7-1
Previous Ranking: #14
Preseason Ranking: NR
2016 Accomplishments: AAA State First Round