The third annual Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament resumes with the first round contests on Friday.
All games scheduled for 2 p.m. Winners advance to the quarterfinal round on Saturday, Oct. 15.
In preliminary round action on Monday: Hackettstown beat Lenape Valley, 2-1, in overtime, while North Warren defeated Sparta, 3-0.
Seeds
A-Sussex
B-Hunterdon-Warren
Top bracket
8B-North Hunterdon (1-10) at 1A-High Point (9-0) -- High Point is a heavy favorite in this one as coach Bev Keur's team reached the semifinals a year ago before sustaining its first loss. Wildcats haven't played a game in nine days, but Nikki Hull (8 goals) and Darby Smith (9 goals) should get them back on the attack and keep Lions goalie Felicia Heard busy in the cage. Pick: High Point 4-1.
5A-Pope John (4-5) at 4B-South Hunterdon (7-3) -- Lions make the long trek to Lambertville for this one. Pope John has won two straight and will count on Madison Zavoda (4 goals) and Lydia Hoff (4 goals) for offense. Eagles are enjoying a fast start and are coming off a nice 1-0 win over Bernards on Thursday. Karli Ribsam (10 goals) is a player to watch. Pick: South Hunterdon 3-1.
6B-Delaware Valley (4-3-1) at 3A-Vernon (9-2) -- Could be the best matchup of the day. Delaware Valley is coming off a 1-1 tie against a good Montgomery team and is led defensively by goalie Mary Drabich. Vikings are without leading scorer Kayla Turner-Boss (16 goals), who is nursing a foot injury. However, junior forward Rachel Colvin (11 goals) and senior right wing Melody Prisco (8 goals, 11 assists) are dangerous. Pick: Vernon 2-1.
10B-Hackettstown (2-9) at 2B-Belvidere (8-2) -- Belvidere won their first meeting, 2-1, on Sept. 30. Forward Tiffany McKenna, who scored in that one, leads the County Seaters with 18 goals. Tigers have scored only six goals, but goalie Tanya Volkert is solid. Pick: Belvidere, 3-1.
Bottom bracket
9B-North Warren (5-4-1) at 1B-Warren Hills (10-1) -- Coach Laura Kasa's North Warren team is much improved this season after an 0-19 campaign a year ago. Jess Towey (6 goals) and Giuliana LoRusso will need to be on top of their game for the Patriots, who draw an angry Warren Hills team on the heels of a 2-1 loss in overtime to Voorhees. Forward Lindsey Schott (16 goals) and younger sister Nikki Schott could have big games for the Blue Streaks. Pick: Warren Hills 6-1.
5B-Phillipsburg (4-6) at 4A-Newton (6-2) -- Another good matchup here as Phillipsburg makes the trek to Sussex County. Stateliners are coming off back-to-back tough losses to Voorhees and Montgomery and have the benefit of playing a tough early schedule. Forward Lauren Nunes (6 goals) will look to test Newton goalie Amanda Norman (4 shutouts) as the Braves enter on a three-game win streak and have the edge on their unique home field. Pick: Phillipsburg 2-1.
6A-Kittatinny (3-6) at 3B-Voorhees (6-2) -- Another long ride for Kittatinny to face Hunterdon County's premiere program. Cougars looked solid in a 2-1 loss at Vernon on Wednesday and forward Michaela Virga is playing well. But the Vikings, who won last year's title, are on a huge roll with wins this week over Phillipsburg and Warren Hills and goalie Kimmie Pianucci, a Division I recruit, is stopping anything that moves near the cage. Pick: Voorhees 4-1.
7B-Hunterdon Central (5-6) at 2A-Wallkill Valley (8-2) -- Central joins the long bus ride brigade with the journey to Hamburg and don't be fooled by the record. Coach Jenn Sponzo's Red Devils are much improved and forward Kim Engelhart (10 goals) and Nicole Barrett (4 goals) are capable of putting the ball in the cage. However, the Rangers have an excellent defense, led by goalie in Emily Stukenborg (7 shutouts) and an outstanding midfielder in Brittany Harlos (7 goals, 6 assists). Pick: Wallkill Valley 2-1.
No comments:
Post a Comment