POCOMOKE- Worcester County, the Lower Shore and the entire Bayside Conference community this week is mourning the sudden passing of legendary Pocomoke High School field hockey coach Susan Pusey, who passed away last weekend at the age of 56.

Pusey was well known and well liked far beyond Pocomoke High School community where she led the Warriors’ field hockey team since 1991 and played an instrumental in so many facets of the school community beyond the field. With just around 300 students, Pocomoke is the smallest of the county’s public high schools, but pound for pound has collected more than its fair share of state championships.

The Pocomoke High School field hockey team has won 18 state championships, 16 of which came with Pusey at the helm. Pusey won her first state championship in 1992 and reeled off five in a row from 1994 to 1998. Pocomoke won again in 2001, then won a remarkable eight in a row from 2003 to 2010. Pusey’s 16 state championships as a high school field hockey head coach was second only to Severna Park’s Lillian Shelton, who won 20 state titles.

As the news spread last Sunday, Pocomoke and the entire Worcester County community mourned the affable coach’s passing. A statement from the school asked for the community’s continued prayers for her loved ones.

“We are shocked and deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Susan Pusey,” the school’s official statement read. “Mrs. Pusey was a true legend and Pocomoke will never be the same without her. At this time, we ask for prayers of God’s comfort for her husband, children, grandchildren, family, friends and players.”