You’d think after winning nine state titles, a team might eventually take their foot off the gas. Nope. Not this one. Thomas Worthington field hockey just did something no other team in Ohio high school history has ever pulled off. They locked in a "four-peat." That’s four consecutive OHSAA state championships, capped off with a gritty 3-1 win over Upper Arlington in November 2025. It’s the kind of dominance that honestly feels a bit unfair to the rest of the league, but when you look at how they operate, it starts to make sense.
The Cardinals aren't just a team; they’re a factory for high-level players. Last year, they outscored their tournament opponents 23-1. One goal. That is all they gave up across five high-stakes playoff games. Most teams are happy just to make the bracket. Thomas Worthington shows up to own it.
The Architect of the Dynasty: Terri Simonetti-Frost
If there is a face of Thomas Worthington field hockey, it is Terri Simonetti-Frost. She’s been at this for 27 seasons. Think about that for a second. Most coaches burn out in a decade. She has overseen nine of the school’s ten total state titles.
She isn't just a tactician; she’s a culture builder. I’ve seen coaches who scream and coaches who over-analyze every blade of grass, but Simonetti-Frost talks more about "sisterhood" than she does about penalty corners. During the 2025 championship game, things got tight. The score was a nail-biter until about eight minutes left. She called a timeout, told the girls to go execute a corner and—this is the kicker—to "have fun." They went out and immediately buried a beautiful goal.
That’s the secret sauce. High expectations, but a total lack of panic.
A History of Streaks
This latest four-year run (2022, 2023, 2024, 2025) is actually their second massive streak. They also pulled off a three-peat from 2015 to 2017. They’ve reached the regional finals 21 years in a row. Basically, if you are a toddler in Worthington today, there is a statistically high chance that by the time you can drive a car, this team will still be playing in the state semifinals.
What Really Happened in the 2025 Season
Every year, people think the "Thomas" era is going to end. In 2025, those people had some logic on their side. The team had to replace six starters. We’re talking about Division I college-level talent like Rowan Casey, Julie Conroy, and Emmy Wellejus. Losing that much veteran leadership usually triggers a "rebuilding year."
The Cardinals don't do rebuilding. They do reloading.
Senior attacker Sophia Borghese stepped up in a massive way. Committed to Miami University, Borghese has been the engine of this offense for years. She’s the girl who scored the game-winning goal in the 2022, 2023, and 2024 finals. While she didn't get the "game-winner" in 2025—that honor went to junior Jaidyn Gussler—she still put up two goals to lead the charge.
Look at these stats from the 2025 campaign:
- Final Record: 22-1 (Total dominance).
- Strength of Schedule: 13.3 (The highest in the region by a mile).
- Scholar Athletes: 21 out of 23 players on the roster.
It’s easy to focus on the sticks and the goals, but the academic side is what keeps the program stable. These kids are smart, disciplined, and they don't flake out.
The On-Field Philosophy
Watching Thomas Worthington field hockey is a lesson in pressure. They don't wait for you to make a mistake; they force you into one. They play a high-tempo game that relies on quick strikes and an incredibly active forecheck.
Basically, if you have the ball, you have three Cardinals in your face.
The defense, anchored by players like Jaidyn Gussler (who recorded 127 steals in the 2025 season), is a wall. Behind them, you’ve got Mae Conroy in goal. Conroy finished the season with a 0.80 Goals Against Average. You essentially have to be perfect to get anything past her.
The Pipeline
Why is the talent so consistent? It’s the Worthington Youth Boosters (WYB).
Most towns start field hockey in high school or maybe middle school. In Worthington, girls are picking up sticks in the 2nd grade. By the time they hit the high school turf, they’ve already had six or seven years of coaching. They know the system before they even put on a Cardinals jersey.
Dealing With the Pressure
Simonetti-Frost admitted that 2025 was the toughest season yet. When you’ve won three in a row, every other team in Ohio circles your date on the calendar. You are everyone’s Super Bowl.
"We were the only ones who could beat us," she told the City Council recently. It sounds like a cliché, but when you’re at the top, the biggest enemy is complacency. The 2025 team had to fight through the "expectation" of winning, which is often heavier than the actual game.
They held their nerve in a way that’s honestly impressive for a bunch of teenagers.
Key Players to Watch for 2026
If you’re looking ahead, don't expect a drop-off. While Borghese is heading to the collegiate ranks, the cupboard is far from empty.
- Jaidyn Gussler (Sr. in 2026): The defensive powerhouse who can also score in big moments.
- Mae Conroy (Sr. in 2026): Having a veteran goalie is a cheat code in field hockey.
- Camryn Spears (So. in 2026): She had 28 assists as a freshman. That is an absurd number for someone just starting their high school career.
- Macy Morgan (Sr. in 2026): A versatile midfielder who keeps the transition game moving.
What Most People Get Wrong
People think Thomas Worthington field hockey wins because they have "the best athletes." That’s part of it, sure. But the real reason is the schedule. They don't play a local "easy" schedule to pad their stats. They travel. They play the best teams in Michigan, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania.
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They lose a few games in September so they can win every game in November. That 22-1 record in 2025 included some absolute battles that prepared them for the 1-1 tie they faced halfway through the championship game.
Making the Program Part of Your Life
If you’re a parent in the district or a student wondering how to get involved, here is the reality:
- Start Early: Check out the Worthington Youth Boosters (WYB) programs. They have leagues for grades 2-8.
- Club Experience: Most of the top players also play for Field Hockey Life (FHL), a club founded by Olympian Keli Smith Puzo. It’s year-round and intense.
- Attend the Clinics: The high school team often runs "beginner clinics." It’s a low-pressure way to see if your kid actually likes the sport before buying all the gear.
The legacy of this program isn't just the trophies in the glass case at the school. It’s the fact that they’ve turned field hockey into a "way of life" in Central Ohio. Whether they win a fifth in a row in 2026 or finally get knocked off the mountain, the culture isn't going anywhere.
Actionable Insights for Aspiring Players:
- Focus on the Steal: If you want to play for Simonetti-Frost, you need to be a defensive pest. Work on your stick-to-stick tackling and timing.
- Academic Discipline: Being a scholar-athlete isn't optional here. Keep the GPA up or you won't see the turf.
- Conditioning is King: The Cardinals win late in the fourth quarter because they don't tire out. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is your friend in the off-season.