NJSIAA: Rangers suffer early postseason exit

The postseason is once again history in the making for Jefferson's field hockey team.

After reaching the semifinals for the first time ever a year ago, the No. 11 seed Falcons will make a return appearance after Wednesday's 2-1 upset win over No. 3 Wallkill Valley in a North 1, Group 2 quarterfinal matchup.

The game was moved to the turf at Vernon Township High School after the recent snow left Wallkill Valley's home field unplayable. The artificial surface, which Jefferson enjoys playing on, may have been a blessing. The Falcons (13-5-1) advance to meet No. 2 Ramsey, a 2-1 winner over No. 7 Newton, in Saturday's semifinals.

"We knew Wallkill was going to be a tough team, but if we played our best we would be able to get a win today," said first-year coach Kasey Farris, who is guiding the Morris County team for this season while coach Danielle Ryan is out on maternity leave. "I think if they play the way they did today, they can beat anybody."

Wallkill Valley (14-5) saw its season end with a tough loss. Coach Irene Chernati's Rangers, who were seeking the Sussex County school's eighth sectional title and first since 2006, never quite overcame a sluggish first half that was completely one-sided in Jefferson's favor. Wallkill also had two goals waived off, as both balls hit off bodies inside the circle.

Outstanding senior midfielder Brittany Harlos, in her final game, made it a one-goal game about midway through the second half -- converting a penalty stroke after a Jefferson defender played a ball off her body in the circle.

But the Falcons' defense, led by senior back Vivianna Samite, held it together down the stretch despite yielding 12 corners in the final 30 minutes. Just when it appeared Wallkill Valley was threatening late, Jefferson pressured and was rewarded with three penalty corners in the final three minutes.

"This was great. We really played as a team," said Samite, who was all over the field making big defensive stops in this one. "We had some struggles, but we pulled it together in the second half. I had a lot of faith in our team."

Jefferson struck for both of its goals in the first half, as the Falcons racked up 12 penalty corners to only one for Wallkill Valley.

Junior Katelyn Cannarozzi opened the scoring with her fourth goal of the season on the team's eighth corner, making a nice dodge on Wallkill Valley goalie Emily Stukenborg and finding an empty cage. Senior forward Lauren Ferguson made it a two-goal lead, receiving a nice cross pass from Vienna Castrignano and firing a shot past Wallkill Valley defender Kristin Garrera, who attempted what would have been an incredible back-line save.

"[Stukenborg] was coming out really far and coach [Farris] told me to dodge her when I had the opportunity." Cannarozzi said. "I did that and I was able to score.

"Our defense had a really strong game and we knew where to place the ball, and we were able to switch fields."

Farris, whose team has won five of its last six games, said getting an early jump on the hosts played a huge role in the outcome.

"Scoring early is something we've had a problem with all season," the coach said. "It really boosted their confidence and it was huge for us to get those two goals early."

This Jefferson team, the first in school history to play in back-to-back semifinals, is playing with a lot of confidence overall.

"This is shocking. I wasn't expecting such a great senior year," Samite said. "It's a great run and we didn't want it to end [today]."

Jefferson (13-5-1)                     2                   0               --   2
Wallkill Valley (14-5)               0                   1               --   1

Scoring

First half -- J, Katelyn Cannarozzi, 4th, 15:07; J, Lauren Ferguson, 6th, (Vienna Castrignano), 7:51.

Second half -- WV, Brittany Harlos, 14th, (penalty stroke), 15:24.

Shots -- Jefferson 5; Wallkill Valley 3.

Saves -- Lexi Taveras 2 (J); Emily Stukenborg 2, Andreanna Nordland 1 (defensive) (WV).

Penalty corners -- Jefferson 15; Wallkill Valley 13.