Warren Hills' youth on the field hockey field has served notice of big things to come all season long.
Now, just two wins away from the program's first field hockey state championship, those young Blue Streaks are helping pave the way with veteran performances.
Sophomore midfielder Nikki Profita is among the young and hungry goal scorers that has helped Warren Hills advance to the Group 3 semifinals at home against West Morris on Friday at 2 p.m. Profita scored two goals in the Streaks' 4-1 thumping of South Plainfield in Wednesday's North 2, Group 3 sectional final.
Moorestown squares off against Ocean City in the other state semifinal. Friday's semifinal winners advance to Sunday's Group 3 championship game to be played at 2 p.m.on the turf at The College of New Jersey.
Profita has been waiting for this opportunity for most of her young life. She's anxious to help Warren Hills end their 0-for-6 drought in the state title games since their first appearance in 1996.
"Ever since I was little, I would come to Warren Hills games," said Profita, who has 16 goals and 14 assists on the season. "I remember going to see my cousin [Rebecca Pulsinelli] play in 2001 [the Streaks' sectional champion team that dropped a 2-1 decision to Ocean City in the Group 3 final]. I went to watch the '09 team play [a 2-1 overtime loss to Ocean City in the title game]. To finally be on the team playing and get a sectional championship [the program's 10th] feels amazing."
Sophomores Sydney Muntone (18 goals, 12 assists) and Jessica Nissen (15 goals) also have played a big role on the forward line. Senior Niki Miller anchors the group with a team-high 24 goals and a school record 28 assists. Miller, a UMass recruit, is the school's all-time assists and single-season points record holder.
What has struck Miller and veteran coach Laurie Kerr, is the poise with which the younger players carry themselves on the field. They also aren't fazed one bit by the magnitude of these championship contests.
"They stay composed," said Kerr, whose teams are 28-12 overall in postseason play including a 6-2 record in sectional finals and a 4-1 mark in Group semifinals. "Maybe being so young is to our advantage. They don't know any better. They understand the tradition and they train all the time."
Profita says playing in clubs and offseason tournaments has lifted a lot of the pressure. In fact, she prefers playing under fire.
"I'd rather have a game tied than be winning by 10," Profita said.
Warren Hills (21-2), celebrating the program's 48th season, will be a heavy favorite to reach its seventh state championship game in this first-ever meeting against West Morris (13-6-1), the North 1 champion.
The Wolfpack, who claimed the program's second sectional title and first since 2010, split a pair of close games with Chatham this season and beat Wayne Hills, 3-1, in the sectional final. The Streaks handed Chatham a 6-3 loss in the sectional semis and blanked Wayne Hills, 5-0, in a regular-season matchup.
Junior Lindsay Roller (15 goals) and senior Caroline Boyland (seven goals) lead the Wolfpack's offense, while senior goalie Cristina Eichelosdoerfer has produced 10 shutouts.
Warren Hills' defense was solid on Wednesday after a few shaky performances in previous games. Backs Stephanie Collins and Meghan Dempski combined for three defensive saves to aid senior goalie Katie Wintersteen (10 shutouts).
Due to Superstorm Sandy, Miller will play one final game at home. In past years, semifinals were played at neutral sites. She's anxious to make a return trip to the finals and avenge a very tough OT loss her freshman season in '09.
"I think we can definitely get there," Miller said after contributing a pair of assists in Wednesday's win. "We definitely can go all the way."
Even the youngsters are champing at the bit for a chance to make school history.
"We just want to keep the [Warren Hills field hockey] legacy going," Profita said.
No comments:
Post a Comment