For many, a state championship is the pinnacle of high school athletics. Others define success in less tangible ways.

The Warwick field hockey team enjoyed a very successful fall season, both on and off the field of play.

"Absolutely, it was a successful season," said Warwick head coach Ron Stief. "Success isn't just your final win-loss record. It's about who your kids are. Are they growing? Are they developing? The answer to all of those questions is a resounding yes."

It's been nearly a month since that fateful Saturday in the middle of November when the Warriors dominated Northern York 4-0 at Cumberland Valley High School's Chapman Field in Mechanicsburg to earn a PIAA Class AA title. It's given Warwick time to reflect on its accomplishments, a practice that almost always produces perspective.

On that particular Nov. 15 afternoon, Warwick raced out to a 2-0 first-quarter lead, and four different Warriors - Bree Zoccolo, Taylor Hess, Kenzie Ellis and Calli Martin - tallied markers. Warwick concluded its campaign with an overall record of 27-2.

"In the state championship game, we played well," said Stief. "We did what we needed to do. We finished well."

"I think (a state championship) is the pinnacle," Stief added. "There is nothing after that. We finished the season sixth nationally. It's the highest competition we have. It's pretty sweet to win it all."

On its journey, Warwick captured the Lancaster-Lebanon Section One championship, dropped a 1-0 decision to rival Manheim Township in the Lancaster-Lebanon League title tilt and wore the District Three Class AA crown. With junior Zoccolo, an Ohio State commit; Karys Craver; and Hess providing the offense and Taryn Toburen minding the net, the Warriors outscored their opponents by a combined margin of 156-20 this year.

"I think the crucial games of the season were playing Palmyra in the district semifinal and the state semifinal," said Stief. "Northern (York) is a great team, but Palmyra was our target all year, just because of their history in the sport. We knew if we were going to reach our goals, we had to go through Palmyra. Those Palmyra games were great games."

Count leadership and chemistry among the Warriors' keys to success this season. Warwick's roster featured 10 experienced seniors.

"We have eight (female) assistant coaches who have various levels of coaching experience," said Stief. "For our kids to have coaches they can trust gives them a certain confidence level. My seniors were great. They provided leadership and a work ethic, and it really helps when your best player (Zoccolo) is your hardest worker."

The state championship was the program's fourth overall and first since back-to-back PIAA titles in 1999 and 2000, and the Warriors' District Three championship was its seventh all-time. Much of that playoff success was realized under legendary head coach Bob Derr, who passed away at the age of 75 the day before the state semifinal match with Palmyra.

"(The state championship) was one of our goals because as a younger team last year we went to the (Class) AAA state semifinals," said Stief. "It was our goal to get back to that point. We battled some injuries and were deep enough to get through them. You've got to have luck, and you've got to have some kids step up. I think growth was a key. There were expectations, but the team had to grow together and galvanize as a team. You have to play for each other, and you have to play as a team. It was cool to see different kids step up."

"(Learning about Coach Derr's passing) helped us to know where we came from," Stief added. "It was good for the girls to realize what kind of program they were a part of. But this team had goals no matter what happened on the outside."