The Oak Knoll High School field hockey team had one of the most successful 2025 campaigns in the nation. They ended the season ranked number one in New Jersey and capped off their state tournament run with a 5-0 win over Camden Catholic, securing their second straight state title. A major key to the Royals’ outstanding play this year was senior Lilly McMahon. We are thrilled to honor Lilly as this week’s Player of the Week!
Lilly has always been process-oriented, both in sports and in life. Looking back on this season, she describes it as a “building process” that gradually culminated in a state championship team. While earning a state title was always the ultimate goal, the Royals focused throughout the season on getting a little bit better every day. By celebrating small successes rather than fixating on a daunting end result, Lilly and her teammates stayed motivated for each game and practice. Another major motivator for the Oak Knoll team was the idea of playing for something bigger than themselves.
Oak Knoll field hockey is a historic program with a storied past, and Lilly believes her team is part of the larger tapestry of the school’s legacy. She credits her high school coach, Ali Good, for instilling this mindset and teaching her to “play for something bigger than herself.” Lilly is deeply grateful for the role Good has played in her field hockey journey and says that Good has been the “biggest influence” on her career so far. Lilly has certainly repaid that guidance, helping lead the Royals to unprecedented success this year.
Early in the season, Oak Knoll attended the Max Field Hockey Invitational. Lilly recalls the highly competitive environment, noting that her team learned a great deal from being “surrounded by, and playing against, the best teams in the nation.” This experience helped prepare them to face their major in-state rivals, West Essex, North Hunterdon, and Camden Catholic. Last year, Oak Knoll suffered losses to each of these teams. This year, however, they earned resounding victories in every matchup, a testament to the team’s growth and to Lilly’s leadership. Next year, Lilly will stay close to home as she continues her field hockey career at Princeton University. Until then, she will keep training with her club, New Heights, as she prepares for the next level. After witnessing her incredible success this season, we have full confidence that Lilly will thrive as a Tiger. We cannot wait to see the mark she makes on the Ivy League!
