The Rangers (12-3) earned their first-ever county semifinal with a hard-fought 1-0 win over defending champion Voorhees on Saturday. Their reward: a semifinal showdown with once-beaten Warren Hills (14-1) at 4 p.m. on Thursday in Washington. Rain postponed the game originally slated for Wednesday.
Belvidere (12-2), an impressive 4-0 winner over Vernon in a quarterfinal played on Monday, will battle unbeaten High Point (14-0) in the other semifinal showdown at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Due to poor field conditions, the game will played at Vernon.
"I feel we're not capitalizing on those close opportunities," said veteran Wallkill Valley coach Irene Chernati, whose team had four shots sail wide of the cage against Voorhees, including a wide-open shot by midfielder Brittany Harlos that nipped the post.
Those are shots that Wallkill Valley will have to make count against a potent Warren Hills squad that averages 4 1/2 goals per contest. This one is a rematch of last year's quarterfinal meeting, a 4-1 win for host Warren Hills, which went on to lose, 1-0, to Voorhees in the title game.
Senior forward Lindsey Schott, who holds the school records for career goals, points and assists, leads the Blue Streaks with 20 goals this season. She scored twice in a 5-0 quarterfinal win over Newton.
For comparison, Wallkill Valley has scored two goals total in two meetings with Newton this season. Both also played Hackettstown this season, with Wallkill Valley winning twice, 1-0 and 2-0, while Warren Hills blanked the Tigers, 8-0 on opening day.
Senior forward Felicia Wetzel has been a big boost to the Rangers' offense with five goals and a big assist on Andreanna Nordland's game-winning score against Voorhees. This is no surprise to anyone that has seen Wetzel in the past. She notched 16 goals as a sophomore to help Pope John reach the county and sectional semifinals in 2009.
"I knew I'd make a little impact [on offense]," said Wetzel, who had to sit 30 days due to New Jersey transfer rules before being allowed to compete this fall. "It was horrible [having to sit]."
Playing this one on turf is also a big edge for Warren Hills, which is suited for the artificial surface. In addtion to Schott, midfielders Niki Miller and Nikki Schott, Lindsey's sister, are also capable of leading the offense. The Blue Streaks feature six players that have recorded at least five goals.
On the other end, backs Jen Hylkema and Whitney Kowski anchor a defense that's produced 10 shutouts and held opponents to one goal or fewer 12 times in 15 games. Interestingly, veteran coach Laurie Kerr, whose teams are 0-5 all-time in county titles games, opted to go with backup goalie Alexa Lavelle, a senior with one career start, over junior Katie Wintersteen against Newton.
Wallkill Valley is also a stingy group on the defensive end. Backs Kristina Garrera and Katie Bencivenga are solid players, while goalie Emily Stukenborg has recorded 10 shutouts. The Rangers have allowed a total of 12 goals.
Here's my take on both games:
Belvidere at High Point -- County Seaters are quietly rolling along in the tournament and have yet to surrender a goal in wins over Hackettstown (1-0 in OT) and Vernon (4-0 in semis). Forward Tiffany McKenna (23 goals) is a handful to defend, while goalie Josee Ritter has been solid in the cage with nine shutouts. High Point enters the semis unbeaten for the second straight year and features a potent forward line, anchored by Nikki Hull (13 goals) and Darby Smith (17 goals). At some point, goalie Kelsey Stoll will need to come up big in a key spot and Belvidere has the firepower to test her. This game, because of the forecast for rain, may be shifted to the turf at Vernon. That would be a big advantage for High Point.
The pick: High Point, 3-2.
Wallkill Valley at Warren Hills -- Rangers won a huge game in the quarters over a Voorhees team that split two meetings with archrival Warren Hills. Not only will Wallkill Valley have to find a way to slow down a potent offense, but it will have the added challenge of playing a tough team on a turf surface that the Rangers have played on just twice this season (4-0 loss to Madison, 2-0 win over Hackettstown). Harlos is a key player and must control that area of the field. Blue Streaks have more weapons on the offensive end and that will be the difference.
The pick: Warren Hills 3-1.
Previous HWS history:
Belvidere -- 1-1 in 2009, lost 4-0 to Newton in first round; 1-1 in 2010, lost 2-0 to Newton in quarters.
Wallkill Valley -- 0-1 in 2009, lost 3-1 to Hackettstown in first round; 1-1 in 2010, lost 4-1 to Warren Hills in quarters.
Warren Hills -- 3-0 in 2009, beat Pope John, 3-0 in semis and declared co-champ with Newton (final never played); 3-1 in 2010, lost 1-0 to Voorhees in title game.
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