Brittany Harlos is one of those players that can make an impact on either end of the field. But the players with ability to affect the outcome when it matters most are a special breed.
The senior center midfielder was front and center again on Thursday, knocking in the decisive goal in overtime to help Wallkill Valley prevail 1-0 over rival Newton in a Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference showdown at Harold Sisco Field in Hardyston.
Harlos' goal, her second of the season, also ended five years of frustration and a nine-game losing skid in the series. Wallkill Valley (4-2 overall, 3-0 NJAC), ranked No. 7 in the area, last beat Newton (3-2, 3-1) in 2006, also by the same 1-0 score. In fact, eight of the last 16 meetings have ended in a 1-0 score.
"We really wanted [to win]," said Harlos, who is considering Division I Lock Haven among her college choices. "We needed to do this. Last year we were so close. I can't wait to play them again."
Newton has owned this rivalry over the years, holding a 13-3 edge since 2004 when both teams played in the old Sussex County Interscholastic League. The Braves have always been a thorn for veteran Wallkill Valley coach Irene Chernati, who notched career win No. 324 in this one as her team snapped a two-game losing streak and took a one-game lead over 2010 champion Newton, which had won 11 straight Freedom Division contests dating to 2009.
"We always know, no matter what the teams' abilities are, that both teams always come to play," Chernati said. "It's a good rivalry."
Both teams have struggled on the offensive end this season and both feature solid defenses. So, needless to say that the first team to score would have a huge advantage. After 60 minutes of scoreless hockey and not a lot of shots-on-goal, Harlos ended things early in sudden death overtime with a goal during the Rangers' second penalty corner in OT.
Harlos picked a ball off the pads of Newton goalie Amanda Norman, who made three saves in the loss, and put it in the cage to trigger a wild celebration. Junior forward Andreanna Nordland took the initial shot and Harlos was in place for the rebound.
"Andreanna is an amazing player and we've all been playing well together," said Harlos, who was also big in this one on the defensive side as the Rangers held the Braves without a shot-on-goal. "We're really strong back there [with backs Kristina Garrera and Katie Bencivenga and goalie Emily Stukenborg]. And Em is an amazing goalie."
Both teams had plenty of chances in regulation, but neither was able to cash in. Nordland just missed on a penalty corner in the second half and both teams sent a few shots wide of the cage. Wallkill Valley came into the game having scored just six goals in their previous five games. Last year, the Rangers scored one goal or fewer in 14 games and lost five of them.
"We've had so many shots. We just have to keep shooting and eventually they'll go in," Harlos said. "That's all we can do."
Newton's defense also held tough in regulation, despite the absence of senior midfielder Kelsi Huber. Senior back Sam Hofmann had a tremendous game and almost single-handily kept the Braves in the game.
Both teams seemed to be dragging in the second half on a warm and humid day, but Harlos said the Rangers were rejuvenated in overtime.
"Once it hit overtime it lifted all of our spirits," she said. "We needed to get that goal in. I just wish it could've happened earlier."
Newton (3-2, 3-1) 0 0 0 -- 0
Wallkill Valley (4-2, 3-0) 0 0 1 -- 1
Scoring
Overtime -- WV, Brittany Harlos, 2nd.
Shots -- Newton 0; Wallkill Valley 4.
Saves -- Amanda Norman 3 (N); Emily Stukenborg 0 (WV).
Penalty corners -- Newton 10; Wallkill Valley 10.
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