Can Madison field hockey take the final step this fall?

All the motivation that Madison requires as the 2015 season begins can be found in its one-goal loss to Rumson in last year's NJSIAA Group II title game.

The Dodgers had a dominant season last year, finishing 19-2, outscoring the opposition 113-11 and holding a 533-93 edge in shots on goal on their way to a fourth consecutive and 20th overall Morris County Tournament title, an 11th consecutive conference title and the North 1, Group 2 championship with a dramatic 5-4 victory over rival West Essex in double overtime.

But the defeat inflicted by Rumson only has left the club with a yen to play for the Group title again.

“Last season we were unsure about just how far we could go,” senior goalie Emilie Flamme said. “To make it to the state final, for us that was a big deal. But losing was a great motivator. I wouldn’t say that the one loss marred us, but I think that its motivated us to push forward.

“A good deal of the girls are back and we have our goals. We really want to win the state title. But we know that we have to take it game by game and make sure that we are poised, even if it’s a scrimmage. We know what our ultimate goal is and, to reach it, we have to take it step by step. We have to be intelligent as to where our aspirations lie on a daily basis.”

The Dodgers came so close to sending the Group II championship game to overtime. Trailing 3-1 with 13:16 to play, Caroline Turnbull was able to get her team to within 3-2. Over a frantic 1:40 of the game, Madison was unable to capitalize on four consecutive penalty corners, the final two after time had expired.

“That state title game, that was intense,” Flamme said. “For me, part of it was a blur, but part of it was very distinct-what happened and the way that it went. Coming out of that game and with all the girls back, that is our motivator.”

The Dodgers return 16 letter-winners, including nine starters, and should be poised to make another run at the Group II championship.

Among the returnees are sophomore Elizabeth Romano. The center forward finished with 24 goals, including the game winner with 7:12 to play in the second overtime in the sectional championship game. A sharpshooter who was able to persevere despite being frequently double teamed, Romano is a member of the U17 national team and has already verbally committed to UConn.

The DaSilva sisters, Amanda and Kaitlyn, who will both play at Richmond next season, are also back as integral components for the Dodgers.

Kaitlyn, voted offensive MVP of the Morris County Tournament, is a dangerous two-way midfielder. Madison’s inserter on penalty corners and trailer on defensive corners., she struck for 17 goals and 19 assists last season.

Amanda, who was selected as her team’s MVP, utilized her speed to contribute to the offense and still be able to cover the ground to defend. In addition to her two goals and 10 assists, she made five defensive saves.

Caroline Turnbull joins Amanda DaSilva on defense along with Samantha Blount, Megan Brennan and Emma Yost. A three-year starter who will bring her talents to Lafayette next season, Turnbull contributed 12 goals and 10 assists and made one defensive save.

Flamme, a senior who registered 15 shutouts last season, returns in goal as the last line of defense.

She faced less than five shots on goal a game which is a tribute to her great communication with her defenders.

“I know that I don’t have to touch the ball to be an influence on the field,” Flamme said. “Communicating with my defenders and staying involved is important. I’m able to see everything from the back and I’ll give my advice to the defenders to tell them where the pressure is coming from.

“A lot of us have been playing together since the fifth or sixth grade and we’ve been waiting for this-to be seniors and honor the time that we’ve spent together and what we’ve worked for. For us to get that far and not win last year, how could we not want to come back and fight for it and not make it our goal?”

Field Hockey Players to Watch

Elizabeth Romano, Madison

This diminutive dynamo, who has verbally committed to UConn and is a member of the National U17 squad, took Morris County by storm as a freshman last season when she scored a team leading 24 goals and registered seven assists.

Skylar Miggliaccio, West Morris

The junior forward compiled 24 goals and 10 assists to help her team establish a school record 21 victories.

Lauren Burklow, Pequannock

As selfless player who prefers to set up a teammate rather than take the shot herself, Burklow can utilize her combination of strength, speed and superior stick work to move the ball up and down the field which makes her a presence on offense and defense.

Kaitlyn DaSilva, Madison

A senior center midfielder headed to the University of Richmond, DaSilva was instrumental in helping Madison reach the Group II final a year ago when she utilized her great instincts to compile 17 goals and 19.

Emily Egan, West Morris

A first team Daily Record selection last season, the junior netminder helped her team to a school record 21 victories by allowing nine goals and posting 16 shutouts with a goals against average of 0.31.

Chelsea Davis, Boonton

A string defender who would match up against the opposition’s top scorers, the senior took advantage of her outstanding stick handling skills to strike for 21 goals and four assists.

Emilie Flamme, Madison

Flamme, a senior goalie who will move on to Amherst, was outstanding last season when she allowed 11 goals, posted 15 shutouts and finished with a goals against average of 0.52.

Caroline Turnbull, Madison

A senior center midfielder and four-year varsity starter for the Dodgers, Turnbull, who will play next season at Lafayette, racked up 12 goals, 10 assists and one defensive save last year.

Tara Litjens, Mendham

An outstanding defensive midfielder, the senior registered nine goals and six assists last season to help Mendham capture the United Division title and reach the North 2, Group III final.

Amanda DaSilva, Madison

The senior left back, who will join her twin sister, Kaitlyn at the University of Richmond next fall, compiled two goals, 10 assists and five defensive saves last season and was selected as team MVP.

Kellie Vizzuso, Montville

Expect a breakout season for this senior forward, who finished with eight goals and 14 assists last season when she selflessly set up her teammates for scoring opportunities.