It was without a doubt the biggest heartbreaking loss yet for the Warren Hills field hockey program -- 1-0 in double overtime to Ocean City on Saturday in the Group 3 final at Toms River East High school.
That's saying something as all eight finals losses since the first in 1996 have been tough ones for the Blue Streaks, who came up short in what I believe was their finest effort since a 2-1 loss in overtime to Amy Lewis-led Moorestown in the 2003 final at The College of New Jersey. This also, in my opinion, is the best team since that '03 group, which had a sensational goalie in Carolyn Kisling and a superb center midfielder in Jessica Kacerek.
But the 2013 version may be a more complete unit. Defensively, this group is the strongest as backs Amanda Crampton, Allie Brouhard, Rachel Phillips and Amanda Oberly were solid all season and in this final game. The best part is all return next season, along with sophomore goalie Taylor Austin, who answered the Streaks' biggest question mark in the offseason as to who would step up in the cage. How about the stop she made on the penalty stroke in OT on Saturday? Talk about clutch.
With the loss of just three senior starters, including four-year starter Nikki Schott, who was sensational in her last game and in the postseason with three goals and three assists in the final five contests, expect Warren Hills to make a strong run at a ninth state final.
Here are five thoughts from what was one of the best field hockey games I've covered:
1. It's hard to believe, but the Warren Hills offense, which has been sharp most of the season and averaged 4.4 goals per game in five playoff games, was shut out for the second straight year by Ocean City, which won a 2-0 affair at The College of New Jersey in the 2012 Group 3 final. Junior midfielder Nikki Profita (20 goals, 13 assists) overcome a slow first half to give the Streaks a big boost in the second half and first overtime. Junior forward Sydney Muntone (19 goals, 17 assists) created most of the team's best scoring chances, either by flying up the sidelines or starting fast breaks or with insert passes on penalty corners. Those two, along with Schott, set up several nice shots on corners, but none found the cage. Sophomore Katie Thompson also provided a lift off the bench and will be a player to watch in 2014.
2. Five of the Blue Streaks' eight losses in state finals have been to Ocean City, which won its ninth championship, trailing only Eastern (17), West Essex (16), Moorestown (16), Shore (13) and Shawnee (11). It's safe to say that Warren Hills and Ocean City have not seen the last of one another and I wouldn't be surprised to see the schools meet for a sixth time and for the third straight year in next year's title game. The Red Raiders will return five starters, including juniors Kelly Hanna and Lauren McNally, who teamed up on the winning goal off a penalty corner with no time on the clock on Saturday. McNally assisted on that one and also scored the first goal in last year's meeting. Fourth-year coach Cory Terry, now 80-8 overall, assisted on the game-winner in OT for Ocean City against Hills in the 1999 final -- the last game coached by Luanne Ferenci, who was in attendance at Toms River East.
3. Unfortunately, some of the officiating in this year's game was highly questionable, including the call on the Warren Hills defense for intentionally hitting the ball over the goal line that gave Ocean City a corner with time winding down. From my viewpoint, it appeared it was a clean attempt to clear it out of the circle. Given there were only a few seconds left, it's a shame there wasn't a no-call that would have left the title to be decided on penalty strokes. The official who called the corner was Joanna McKenna, who Warren Hills fans may remember from a North 2, Group 3 sectional playoff game at South Plainfield in 2003. In that one, Lauren Dubiel scored a goal in sudden-victory overtime that should have ended the game right then, but McKenna and partner Walt Rusak mistakenly ruled it should continue for the full 10 minutes. Fortunately, it did not affect the outcome as the Streaks won and eventually lost to Moorestown in the Group 3 final.
4. Experience went a long way for Warren Hills in this one, as Austin, Oberly and freshman forward Dani Profita -- whose 15 goals this season were the most by a ninth-grader -- were the only starters who did not play in the 2012 Group 3 final. The Streaks recovered quickly after a slow start and dominated the game from the second half through the first overtime. Schott said after that the Streaks were not overwhelmed by the magnitude of the game and did not feel the pressure of trying to end the state title drought. It's possible that all 11 starters next season will have postseason experience and will surely be hungry for another title run.
5. It was never more clear that playing a tough schedule prepares teams for big games. Warren Hills was 3-3-1 after dropping a 2-1 decision to Bridgewater at home on Sept. 21. The Streaks proceeded to roll off a program record 19 straight wins, outscoring opponents 75-5 during that run. The early-season schedule included games against Shore Regional (3-3 tie on Sept. 7) and 2012 Group 2 champion Bishop Eustace (2-1 loss on Sept. 14). Shore won its 13th state title by beating Collingswood in the Group 1 final on Saturday, while Bridgewater gave a good account in a 3-0 loss to Eastern, which won its 15th straight Group 4 title and a state record 17th overall in defeating coach Kathie DeBonis' Panthers for a ninth straight year.
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