Field hockey: Rangers, Streaks continue title chase

Senior forwards Morgan Carr and Tara Brody emphatically said Wallkill Valley's field hockey team was in it to win it following a 2-1 win in overtime against Belvidere in the North 1, Group 1 semifinals on Wednesday.

Mission accomplished.

Carr scored a pair of goals -- her team-leading 45th and 46th of the season -- and had the assist on a goal by senior forward Fiona Blake as second-seeded Wallkill Valley rolled to a 3-1 win over No. 4 Boonton in the sectional final on Friday at Sisco Field in Hardyston Township.

The Rangers (21-2), who captured the program's eighth sectional title and first since 2006, will next face Madison, the North 2 champion, in the Group 1 state semifinals at 6 p.m. on Wednesday at Boonton High School. Haddonfield (20-3), last year's state champion, will meet Schalick (14-6-2) in the other semifinal.

Wallkill celebrates its first sectional title since 2006. (Courtesy WV athletics)

All five state championship games (Groups 1-4 and Non-Public) will be contested on Saturday, Nov. 11 at Bordentown Regional High School.

Wallkill Valley, which has won 10 in a row since a 5-2 loss to Hunterdon Central in the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament quarterfinals on Oct. 7, has never won a state title and is looking reach the championship game for just the second time in program history after falling to Moorestown in the 1988 Group 1 final. It won't be an easy task against Madison, one of the state's top teams and last year's Group 1 runner-up. The Dodgers (21-2) knocked off Shore for their 16th sectional title.

"We're taking it one game at a time," Brody said after the win over Belvidere. "We've been working hard all season."

Warren Hills (23-2) is the only other team from the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex area still playing for a championship as the Blue Streaks, who won their sixth straight sectional title and 15th overall on Thursday with a 1-0 win over West Morris in the North 1, Group 3 final, will take on Colts Neck in the Group 3 semifinals at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday at Johnson High School. Moorestown (15-3) will face Clearview (18-1-1) in the other semifinal.

Coach Josie Potter's Streaks, who have won 18 in a row, are seeking their sixth straight appearance in the Group 3 final -- winning titles in 2014 and '15 before dropping a 5-0 decision to Ocean City in last year's title game. Ocean City won't make a return trip after being ousted by Clearview -- 1-0 in the South Jersey, Group 3 sectional final.

Warren Hills eyes its sixth straight trip to the Group 3 final.

"We've never played Colts Neck, so I'm really excited," Potter said. "When you see the same teams over and over, you know how each other is going to play. We have to bring our A-game."

Warren Hills is 11-3 all-time in state semifinals and has won seven such games in a row since a 1-0 loss to High Point in the 2002 Group 3 semis.

"Last year, we had a pretty tough loss in the state championship," said senior midfielder Tali Popinko. "We're coming for revenge this year."

Hunterdon Central (15-7-1) was eliminated from the postseason chase with a tough 3-2 loss to nemesis Bridgewater-Raritan in the North 2, Group 4 final on Friday. Coach Jenn Sponzo's Red Devils were seeking their 14th sectional title and first since 2011.

Public state semifinal matchups

Group 4

Morristown (19-3) vs. Bridgewater-Raritan (18-5)
Lenape (11-10) vs. Eastern (21-0-1)

Group 3

Warren Hills (23-2) vs. Colts Neck (17-1-1), 5:30 p.m. at Johnson High School
Moorestown (15-3) vs. Clearview (18-1-1)

Group 2

West Essex (20-2) vs. Rumson-Fair Haven (18-2)
Seneca (16-5-2) vs. West Deptford (18-3-1)

Group 1

Wallkill Valley (21-2) vs. Madison (21-2), 6 p.m. at Boonton High School
Haddonfield (20-3) vs. Schalick (14-6-2)

Non-Public sectional final matchups

(Games to be played on Wednesday)

North

3-Kent Place (10-6-1) at 1-Oak Knoll (21-0-1)

South

5-Camden Catholic (16-4-1) at 2-Bishop Eustace (19-2)