Hailee Adams glanced at the scoreboard four times in the final 15 seconds. She couldn’t wait for the clock to reach zero.
Once it did, and a trip to the state championship game was secure, Warwick’s senior celebrated by sprinting full speed toward her fellow defenders and her goalie.
It was a sign that Adams was healthy again. That her long recovery was complete.
Adams underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus in her knee in March. Returning to the lineup for these memorable nights, including Tuesday’s win against Palmyra, required a lot of patience and hard work.
“Seeing my teammates being so successful, I just wanted a piece of it so bad,” Adams said. “Now I’m finally back and it’s so nice.”
READ: Warwick picks off Palmyra to advance to PIAA Class 2A field hockey championship
District Three champ Warwick will take on District Three runner-up Northern York in the PIAA Class 2A field hockey final at Cumberland Valley Saturday at 1 p.m.
Adams will be there alongside center back Kayla Gockley and right back Maeve Zee. The three defenders anchored Warwick’s playoff run behind midfielder Addy Zimmerman and in front of goalie Taryn Toburen.
Every game Adams has played this fall is a gift. The senior missed the first 15 games and an entire summer of workouts because of the injury she suffered last season. She didn’t put on her No. 13 jersey until a matchup against Cedar Crest on Oct. 1.
“There was a moment when we weren’t sure if we were going to get her or not,” Warwick coach Ron Stief said. “When we did, we were that much better because of it.”
Adams, Gockley and Zee are a close-knit group that covers the final third of the field. They played together last season, when Warwick reached the district final and state semifinals in Class 3A.
Senior Shelby Kline and freshman Madelyn Kratzer filled in admirably while Adams was out. They helped Warwick defeat Lancaster-Lebanon League champ Manheim Township twice and navigate most of the regular season undefeated.
Once Adams was cleared to play, Warwick’s big three were reunited. It was an anxious wait.
“We were definitely hopeful,” Gockley said. “We were stressed. There would be a time and then it would get pushed back. It put us on edge for sure. It’s pretty much just joy knowing she can come back to us and keep playing.”
READ: Warwick senior completes unlikely climb to No. 1 on field hockey team's all-time scoring list
Adams announced her commitment to Saint Francis, a Division One program in Loretto, in September. She could have sat out her final high school season and focused on being full strength for college. That wasn’t a consideration in her mind.
Playing for this Warwick team, an obvious state championship contender, was an opportunity Adams couldn’t let slip away. She wears a bulky brace during games to keep her knee stable.
“She’s a really tough person,” Gockley said. “I know she can get really tight from it and she faces those issues. She has battled through it. We’re so proud of her.”
Stief said Adams acted like an assistant coach during the five weeks she was a spectator. The senior brought a fiery presence to the sideline and offered encouragement to the younger girls.
Warwick has reached the state final for the fifth time. The Warriors are pursuing their first championship since 2000.
This is a dream team with Bree Zoccolo up front, Karys Craver and Zimmerman in the midfield and so many other talented players sprinkled throughout the roster. Adams is thankful to be part of it.
“My teammates were there to support me the whole time,” she said. “We work together so well. I wanted to get back so bad for this experience.”
A gold medal would give Adams the perfect ending. Playing at all has been its own reward.
MIKE GROSS | Sports Writer
