Three S.J. field hockey teams in national rankings

Three South Jersey field hockey teams were among the nation's top 50 in the final rankings released Tuesday by topofthecircle.com.

Eastern, (26-1) which won its 12th consecutive Group 4 state title and advanced to the finals of the Tournament of Champions, was ranked No. 5 in the nation. The Vikings' only loss came in the T of C finals to Oak Knoll, which finished ranked No. 2 in the nation.

Emmaus (Pa.) was top-ranked in the nation.

Washington Township, a rival of Eastern's in the Olympic Conference and in South Jersey Group 4, finished 12th in the nation. Washington Township (15-5) lost three times this past season to Eastern, by scores of 2-1, 1-0, and 4-3.

Bishop Eustace (20-4), which won the program's first outright state title in Group 2, was 41st in the nation.