Delaware's high school field hockey history stretches back to 1973, when the sport was played under a single division that brought together powerhouse programs such as Tower Hill, Cape Henlopen and Delmar, with Tower Hill amassing an unprecedented 18 state championships before the structure changed in 2016.
The 2016 Division Split
The 2016 restructuring divided competition into Division I and Division II, creating two parallel tournaments that have since allowed new dynasties to emerge while preserving the legacy of earlier dominance.
Cape Henlopen quickly asserted itself in Division I, capturing five consecutive titles from 2011 through 2015 and later adding seven of the nine Division I crowns overall, a testament to the program’s sustained excellence under coaches such as Kate Austin.
In Division II, Delmar broke through with its first championship in 2016 and went on to claim eight titles, establishing a new benchmark for the lower tier and highlighting the competitive balance the split introduced.
The most recent season delivered dramatic conclusions: Smyrna secured the Division I championship in 2025 after Bree Moffett scored a double‑overtime winner, while Wilmington Friends captured the Division II title, underscoring the continued dynamism of the sport.
Among the coaches, Kate Austin of Cape Henlopen stands out with a record 12 state championships, the highest tally any coach has achieved in Delaware’s history, reflecting both her leadership and the program’s enduring success.
Together, these stories illustrate how Delaware field hockey has evolved from a unified competition into a two‑division arena where historic dynasties coexist with emerging contenders, and where coaches like Austin continue to shape the next generation of champions.