At Barnegat High School, the post-Alyson Sojak era began when the field hockey team opened its season against Toms River East on Sept. 5. It started off great, too.

Riley Fitzpatrick scored unassisted on a loose ball a few yards from the cage just 2:12 into the season, and the Bengals carried a 2-1 lead into the second half following a goal by Ryanna Kennedy.