The four-year stretch of success the Yorktown Patriots have enjoyed in field hockey is unprecedented in program history — and at some other levels, as well.
Dating back to the 2021 season, Yorktown has won three Virginia High School League Class 6 state championship, including the 2023 and 2024 crowns. Yorktown finished second in 2022.
The consecutive state crowns are the first by a team in the VHSL’s highest enrollment classification since First Colonial won the then Group AAA titles in 2011 and 2012. Yorktown’s consecutive state crowns and the three in four years are firsts since the VHSL changed to Class 6 being the highest-enrollment level in 2013.
Other field-hockey programs in Northern Virginia have enjoyed such strings of success in the past, like Fairfax, Woodson, Lake Braddock and Westfield, but Yorktown has become the latest standard-bearer.
Yorktown’s rise to the top began in 2019 when Sylvia Guerrieri was the head coach. The Patriots that year had a mediocre 9-14 record, but got hot in the playoffs. They reached the region-tournament final for the first time, losing to the Langley Saxons in the title match. In doing so, they also qualified for the state tourney for the first time, losing in the first round.
The next season, Yorktown continued its progress, losing in the quarterfinals of the region tourney to eventual state-champion Madison Warhawks.
With current head coach Olivia Shipley in charge in 2021, Yorktown started picking up championships. The Patriots won Liberty District (their first of four in a row), 6D North Region and Class 6 state crowns that season.
The team’s overall record dating back to 2021 is 78-13. Yorktown hasn’t lost to a district opponent in four seasons, compiling a 32-0 record against those rivals.
With a number of top players expected to return next season, Yorktown will have the potential to continue their string of success.
“This team should be good again next season with talented players returning,” said Yorktown assistant coach Grace Sensenig, who led the team during the state tournament, as Shipley was away at her wedding.
