Delaware County Christian School’s girls field hockey team finished an amazing 2025 season—one with plenty of momentum, leadership, and some of the strongest talent the team has seen.

The Knights finished the regular season with a 14-3-1 record, including 7-1-1 in BAL play, and powered through the main part of their schedule with a 13-game win streak. Their consistency, discipline, and chemistry paid off as they went into the postseason competition as the first seed in District 1, ultimately ending up as BAL champions.

Their success also brought in significant league honors. Coach Jackie Daniel earned BAL Coach of the Year, signifying her impact on the program, the culture, and the on-field strategy. Moreover, senior Alexa Cardone was named the league’s Offensive Player of the Year and earned an All-BAL First Team spot. Additionally, senior Maryn D’Antonio, sophomore Sonny Groce, and sophomore Mary O’Donnell all joined her on the first team. On top of that, junior Juliet Jackson and sophomore Ella Stinger secured All-BAL Second Team selections as well. 

For the seniors, the 2025 season was especially meaningful. Leah Darnall, one of the team captains, explained, “This season meant a lot to me. I had so much fun playing with everyone, and I’m grateful for the memories we made.” She added, “I will definitely miss this team next year. We were all really close.”

Abby Jackson, another senior captain, shared a similar sentiment: “I loved every minute of this season. Being a part of this team has been a highlight of high school for me, and I’ll definitely remember how close we were.”

Even with the amazing awards and the record, the players insisted that the best part of the season was the connection they built along the way, not just the accomplishments. Indeed, the seniors are leaving behind a strong legacy and a standard for the underclassmen to carry forward. 

After a strong and fulfilling finish to last season, highlighted by an astounding 14-5
record and a trip to the district semifinals, the field hockey team enters this year with high hopes
and solid momentum. The team, led by Coach Jackie Daniel, is supported by the strong
leadership of five exceptional seniors: Abigail Jackson, Maryn D’Antonio, Alexa Cardone, Leah
Darnall, and Sophia Dixon. With these senior leaders in place, the team is guaranteed to be a
faith-led group with great dynamics, ready to tackle giants both on and off the field.
Last season, the team's first game was against Dock Mennonite, a competitive 4-2 loss.
As the season progressed, the team became stronger, winning several games. In fact, the Knights
avenged their earlier season loss to Dock, 1-0. Unfortunately, the season came to an abrupt end
with an intense loss to Pope John Paul II, 1-0.
This fall, behind the leadership of Coach Daniel and the five previously mentioned senior
role models, the team is sure to be prepared for a strong season. According to Coach Daniel,
“The girls have learned to truly rely on their teammates, and you can see it in the way we move
the ball up the field as one unit.”
The team dynamics are strong, and it shows on the field. Senior defender Maryn
D’Antonio remarks, “My favorite part of preseason was our team Olympics when we divided up
into different countries and got to compete in different activities. It was fun to get to know
everyone better through this, and it was a great way to end the first week.”
With an impressive 6-1 record thus far, the team continues to express determination and
perseverance. In a recent rematch with Pope John Paul II, the team erased last year's postseason

loss with a 5-2 victory– a monumental accomplishment for the team that gives hope for
upcoming games. “I’m also really looking forward to our upcoming games with New Hope,
Dock, and Faith,” explains Coach Daniel.
“As a team, a goal we have is to make it to districts and maybe even states,” explains
Maryn. Sophomore offensive star Sonny Groce reiterates Maryn’s hopes: “My goal as a team is
to make it to states....”
Indeed, the Knights look forward to a season full of hope and courage, resulting in the
ultimate goal of glorifying God. “I’m grateful that I get to coach with the perspective that
everything we do is for the glory of God,” explains Coach Daniel.
Likewise, senior Maryn D’Antonio comments, “I handle pressure in critical moments by
relying on all of the work we have done as a team during practice and remembering that I am
playing for my team and ultimately to glorify the Lord.”