But things didn't fall the Blue Streaks' way, including a penalty stroke in the first two minutes that never got off the ground, in a tough 2-1 loss to Clearview in the Group 3 final on Saturday afternoon at Bordentown Regional High School.
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| Warren Hills is now 2-12 all-time in state title games. |
"[Clearview] was a solid team. They wanted it more than we did today," said third-year Streaks coach Josie Potter, who took exception to some of the officiating in this one. "We couldn't get a call. They were a fast team and they forced a lot of opportunities. There were a lot of questionable balls that I thought were ours and they weren't [called our way]."
Clearview (22-2-1), which was playing in its first state final after winning its only sectional titles in 2017 and '19, dodged some early trouble as Warren Hills seized the early momentum. Streaks senior Samantha Dugan, who fired the first shot of the contest right off the pads of Pioneers goalie Nevaeh Dechert, stepped to the line for a penalty stroke attempt -- which resulted when the ball hit a defender's foot in the circle -- but the ball rolled just a few feet.
"I really just overstepped on it," said Dugan, who finished her fine career ranked seventh on the program's all-time goals (57) and points (141) lists. "Everything in that moment. ... My stick rolled right over the ball."
The Streaks had another attempt on a penalty corner just three minutes in, but they only managed one other shot-on-goal the rest of the first half, and had just one corner in the second half. Those missed chances proved to be huge as the teams played to a scoreless first half.
"[Dechert] did a great job. She just got a stick on my shot," Streaks junior left wing Simryn Desai, who played a superb game and had several breakaways, including a one-on-one look about 10 minutes into the first half. "We did have a lot of opportunities if we could have executed ... just a couple of inches. Sometimes the odds aren't in your favor."
Clearview, which scored both of its goals off corners, broke the tie seven minutes into the second half when junior Allie Palumbo collected a rebound for her 19th goal of the season. Junior Grace Trovato, who scored the decisive goal -- her 21st -- with 9:26 left to play started the drive by lifting the ball into the circle, which Warren Hills senior goalie Julia Webber knocked down.
Trovato's goal, also off a rebound, was disputed by Warren Hills to no avail. Sophomore back Emily Dvorsky appeared to stop the ball right on the goal line for a defensive save since it did not cross the line, but officials ruled it was a goal. It turned out to be big as the Streaks avoided the shutout when junior forward Jenna Wyckoff got loose on a breakaway and executed a beautiful crossing shot into the left corner of the cage for her ninth goal with just five seconds left to play.
"It was on the line," said Webber, who recorded 10 saves in the loss and is heading to Rowan University next fall. "It didn't fully cross. But the girls kept fighting and did not give up."
Webber, who anchored a defensive unit that produced 15 shutouts this season, was sensational in her final game -- making several incredible saves, including a diving attempt that thwarted a sure goal on Clearview's third corner of the first half.
"I don't know how my body does it," Webber said of her ability to make diving and sometimes spectacular split saves. "My defense is a huge part for me. I can always count on them. They are always there for me."
Potter lauded Webber's efforts for helping to keep Warren Hills in a tight game. Clearview came into the final averaging just over five goals per game this season.
"She was awesome," Potter said. "On their offensive corners, they have all but one player in the circle so I see why they scored so many goals this season. My defense was strong for a good portion of the game. They just wanted it more than we did in the circle."
It was a tough way for Webber and Dugan, along with two other starting seniors, midfielder Kate Fenner and forward Paulina Georgoutsos, to go out after such a successful season. The Streaks won Skyland Conference Raritan Division and Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament titles, along with the program's eighth straight sectional championship.
"Clearview is a great team," said Dugan, who will graduate next month and join her sister, Mikayla, at Quinnipiac University. "We had a lot of shots-on-goal, but and [Dechert] is a really great goalie. We got very defensive at one point. Our defense is very strong and a big part of Warren Hills hockey. Sometimes, we rely on them too much. We could have capitalized more. I'm proud of everything we accomplished, team and personal stuff."
Clearview (22-2-1) 0 2 -- 2
Warren Hills (23-2) 0 1 -- 1
Scoring
Second half -- C, Allie Palumbo, 19th, 23:07; C, Grace Trovato, 21st, 9:26; WH, Jenna Wyckoff, 9th, 0:05.
Shots -- Clearview 13; Warren Hills 5.
Saves -- Nevaeh Dechert 4 (C); Julia Webber 10, Sarah Korczukowski 1 (defensive) (WH).
Penalty corners -- Clearview 13; Warren Hills 3.
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