Warren Hills, last year's No. 1 team, returns to the top spot in the first Open Mike team rankings of the season. Only teams from the three counties are eligible.
Records and stats reflect action from Sept. 6-10.
1. Warren Hills (1-0) -- Blue Streaks unquestionably are the deepest team in the area. Senior center midfielder Niki Miller and junior Nikki Schott are terrors in the middle behind a young but talented forward line. Goalie Katie Wintersteen has developed into one of the top keepers in the area. After a 2-1 win over Montgomery -- a North 2 Group 2 finalist last year -- a much-anticipated game with Group 1 power Shore Regional was rained out on Saturday. Coach Laurie Kerr entered the week two wins shy of 200.
Up next: at Delaware Valley on Tuesday; at Phillipsburg on Thursday; Bernards at home on Saturday.
2. Hunterdon Central (1-1) -- Red Devils opened with a pair of tough games -- beating Ridge, 4-3, on Thursday before a 4-0 loss to perennial Group 4 power Bridgewater-Raritan on Saturday. Coach Jenn Sponzo's team lost three meetings against the Panthers last season, including a 4-1 decision in the Group 4 semifinals. Keep an eye on the Barretts -- Nicole and Taylor. Nicole Barrett scored two goals in the win over Ridge.
Up next: North Hunterdon at home on Tuesday; Pingry at home on Thursday; at Westfield on Saturday.
3. Voorhees (1-0-1) -- Vikings stormed out of the gate with a 3-1 win over No. 4 Phillipsburg -- their 12th in a row over the Stateliners since 2007 (20-4-1 edge in the all-time series) and the program's 16th straight win on on Opening Day -- before a 1-1 draw with a tough Montgomery squad on Monday. Sophomore Hannah Ryan leads the Vikes with two goals. Two familiar names are in the cage, as Lauren Pianucci and Kathryn Boyce, have seem time early on. Lauren is the younger sister of Kimmie Pianucci, a star goalie for Voorhees the last three years and now playing at Columbia University. Kathryn is the third of the Boyce sisters -- Colleen is at Princeton and Kelsey is playing at Iowa.
Up next: Somerville at home on Thursday.
4. Phillipsburg (1-1) -- 'Liners lost a tough one to Voorhees before rebounding nicely with a 2-0 win over Belvidere on Saturday. Senior forward Katie Decker scored in the opener and Molly Zgoda got here first against the County Seaters. Those two will pace the offense this season. Goalie Brittany Lavin recorded five saves for her first shutout this season and the fourth career. Big showdown for P'burg on Thursday as it hosts No. 1 Warren Hills, which has won the last eight meetings dating to 2008 and leads 26-11-1 overall in the series. 'Liners also have lost the last seven meetings at home since 2005.
Up next: at Somerville on Tuesday; Warren Hills at home on Thursday; at Blair Academy on Saturday.
5. High Point (2-0-1) -- Wildcats enjoyed a strong showing in their opener -- a 7-1 thrashing of rival Vernon before a scoreless tie on Saturday against Pequannock and a 4-0 win over Mount Olive on Monday to go 2-0 in the NJAC American Division. Senior foward and UConn recruit Darby Smith scored five goals -- one shy of the school record -- to become the Wantage school's all-time goals and points leader in the win over Vernon. First-year goalie Erin Williams has posted back-to-back shutouts in the first three games.
Up next: at Morris Hills on Wednesday; Pope John at home on Friday.
6. Wallkill Valley (1-0) -- Ranger survived a scare in their opener with a 1-0 win over Kittatinny at home. Senior forward Andreanna Nordland scored the game-winner -- her 35th career goal. Senior Emily Stukenborg -- arguably the area's top goalie -- made five saves for her first shutout of the season (11 in 2011) and the 26th of her four-year career. She will give the Rangers a chance to win almost every time out. Coach Irene Chernati's team closes the week with two tough ones -- Jefferson and Newton.
Up next: Parsippany at home on Tuesday; at Jefferson on Thursday; at Newton on Saturday.
7. South Hunterdon (2-0) -- Eagles started strong with a thrilling 2-1 win in overtime against defending Skyland Conference Valley Division champion Bernards before a 4-1 pounding of Franklin on Monday. Forward Kaycee Zavorsky is off to a strong start with three goals and one assist in the first two games, while Sarah McCaffrey scored twice against Franklin.
Up next: at Belvidere on Thursday.
8. Belvidere (1-1) -- County Seaters opened with a 2-0 win over Mount St. Mary and followed up with a 2-0 loss to No. 4 Phillipsburg on Saturday. Senior forward Nicole DeHerde scored both goals against Mount St. Mary and senior goalie Amanda Fisher made three saves for her first shutout. Senior back Kristen Ostrzyzek has an assist in the opener. Big week on tap against two Skyland Conference Valley Division foes.
Up next: at Bernards on Tuesday; South Hunterdon at home on Thursday.
9. Newton (1-0) -- Braves escaped with a 1-0 win over NJAC Freedom Division rival Hackettsown in their opener. Senior forward Melanie Rudio converted the game-winner off a feed from junior forward Katherine Kellenberger. Senior goalie Audrey Kelly stopped five shots for her first career shutout. Grudge game against Wallkill Valley coming up on Saturday. Newton won the first two Freedom titles until Wallkill wrestled the crown away last season with two 1-0 wins in overtime against the Braves.
Up next: Lenape Valley at home on Tuesday; at North Warren on Thursday; Wallkill Valley at home on Saturday.
10. Delaware Valley (1-0) -- Terriers earned a 1-0 win over Somerville at home in their opener on Friday. Senior back Caitlyn Slusser scored the decisive goal off a feed from senior midfielder Olivia Brogan to give second-year coach Stephanie Carino her first win in a season opener. Tough week on tap against two of the better teams in the Skyland Conference Raritan Division.
Up next: Warren Hills at home on Tuesday; at Montgomery on Thursday.
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