NJSIAA: Red Devils still going strong in playoffs

What a difference a year makes.

No. 6 seed Hunterdon Central continued its Cinderella run this postseason with a stunning 2-1 win over second-seeded West Windsor-North in Friday's North 2, Group 4 semifinals.

Central (13-9) will meet top-seeded Montgomery (15-4-1) in an All-Skyland Conference final on Monday.

It's the Red Devils' first trip to the title game since losing to Bridgewater-Raritan in the 2008 final. Hunterdon Central won the last of its 11 titles in 2007.

Coach Jenn Sponzo's team, which won three games and scored only 11 goals in 16 games a year ago, did not play Montgomery during the regular season since the schools are in different divisions.

Senior forward Kim Engelhart led the offensive charge for Central with her team-leading 18th goal and an assist on the decisive goal by Kristen Given in the second-half. Goalie Fran Orella made nine saves.

Devin Brakel scored for West Windsor-North, the first goal allowed by Hunterdon Central in three postseason games. The Red Devils defeated Hillsborough, 1-0, in the opening round, followed by a thrilling 1-0 win in overtime against third-seeded East Brunswick. Engelhart scored the game winner in that one.

Hunterdon Central (13-9)                  1                   1               --   2
West Windsor-North (13-5)               0                   1               --   1

Scoring

First half -- HC, Kim Engelhart, 18th, (Chloe Maurice).

Second half -- WWN, Devin Brakel; HC, Kristen Given, 6th, (Engelhart).

Shots -- Hunterdon Central 12; West Windsor-North 10.

Saves -- Fran Orella 9 (HC); Christina Hayduchok 10 (WWN).