Field hockey: Stakes raised for Rangers, Streaks

Wallkill Valley's field hockey team has been without a doubt the toughest bunch to figure out this season.

The Rangers stood 6-5 at the midway point, including 1-0 victories over Kittatinny and Lenape Valley, which have enjoyed breakout campaigns. Then, coach Irene Chernati's club went on a six-game losing streak, falling to Jefferson and North Warren in overtime affairs.

But it appears that Wallkill Valley (9-11) is getting back on track at an opportune time. Sparked by wins over Hackettstown (1-0 on Oct. 22) and Lenape Valley (2-0 on Oct. 24), the Rangers suddenly have designs on winning a North 1, Group 1 sectional title.

The fifth-seeded Rangers started their postseason run with a 4-0 win over No. 12 seed Pequannock on Thursday at Sisco Field. Provided they get past No. 4 Mountain Lakes -- which dropped a 4-0 decision to Hackettstown on Sept. 10 -- in Tuesday's quarterfinals, a third meeting with top-seeded Lenape Valley likely awaits in the semifinals.

"We've had some good games against Lenape Valley," said senior forward Barbara Hannan, who scored a goal and had an assist in Wallkill's win over Pequannock. "We hope we do see them again. I think it will be another good game."

The last team that Lenape Valley (14-5-1) wanted to see in its half of the draw was Wallkill Valley, a team that can be a pain to play because of its stout defense. The Rangers have held the Patriots scoreless in two meetings this season. The only other team to do so is NJAC Freedom Division champion Parsippany -- a 2-0 loss on Sept. 12.

Lenape, which won just two games a year ago, rebounded from the second loss to Wallkill to earn a 3-2 win in overtime against West Morris on Oct. 30. West Morris, which was the top seed in North 2, Group 3, was upset by Morristown in the quarterfinals on Saturday.

Kittatinny is the No. 3 seed in this wide open section. The Cougars (8-7-3) host Whippany Park in Tuesday's quarterfinals.

Sussex County schools have combined for 38 sectional titles in field hockey dating to 1976. Wallkill Valley is the last to win in a championship in 2006. Lenape Valley has two titles (1978, '90) in its history, while Kittatinny has four (1978, '79, '94, '95).

Streak-ing along

Warren Hills (19-3-1) dodged a bullet on Saturday, rallying from two goals down to post a 3-2 win over Princeton in the North 2, Group 3 quarterfinals. The section was ripe with upsets, as No. 1 West Morris and No. 2 Mendham were ousted in their playoff openers.

As a result, the fourth-seeded Blue Streaks get at least one more home game as they'll host No. 9 Morristown -- a 2-1 winner over West Morris -- in Thursday's semifinals. The Warren County school, which has won 10 sectional titles, is the hottest club around having won a program record 16 in a row since a 2-1 loss at home to Bridgewater on Sept. 21.

Freshman forward Dani Profita scored a pair of goals against Princeton, while senior midfielder Nikki Schott added one goal and one assist. Schott, whose sisters, Lauren and Lindsey, were both outstanding players for the Streaks, has suddenly been a force on offense with three goals and three assists in the last six games.

Mendham's 1-0 loss to No. 7 Ocean Township was hardly a shocker. Three of Ocean's four losses are to a pretty good Wall team. Next up for the Spartans is No. 3 Hopewell Valley.

Warren Hills and Ocean Township have met three times in the postseason -- all since 2009. The Streaks are 3-0 in the series, all at home, winning 2-1 in overtime in the North 2, Group 3 semifinals in 2009, 6-0 in the North 2, Group 3 quarterfinals in 2011 and 3-1 in last year's opening round.

The Streaks are 2-1 against Morristown in the postseason -- all on the road -- winning 1-0 in the 1998 semifinals, losing 1-0 in the 2006 semifinals and winning 2-0 in the 2007 semifinals.

Surprise, surprise

How about those North Hunterdon Lions? Coming into the postseason with just one victory, first-year coach Suzanne Toke's team, a No. 12 seed, scored a 2-1 win over No. 5 Columbia in the North 1, Group 4 playoffs.

Senior forward Jamie Ruggiero scored both goals for North (2-14-1), which travels to No. 4 Morris Knolls for Monday's quarterfinals. The Hunterdon County school has won two sectional titles (1986, '93) in its strong history.

Here's the rest of this week's sectional schedule involving area teams:

Monday, Nov. 4
(Both games at 2 p.m.)

North 2, Group 4

Hillsborough at Hunterdon Central

North 1, Group 4

North Hunterdon at Morris Knolls

Tuesday, Nov. 5
(All games at 2 p.m.)

North 1, Group 1
(Quarterfinals)

Boonton at Lenape Valley
Wallkill Valley at Mountain Lakes
Whippany Park at Kittatinny
Newton at Westwood

North 2, Group 1

Bernards at South Hunterdon

Thursday, Nov. 7
(Semifinals)

North 1, Group 2

Voorhees at Parsippany, 11 a.m.
High Point at West Essex, noon

North 2, Group 3

Morristown at Warren Hills, 11 a.m.

Friday, Nov. 8
(Semifinals)
North 2, Group 4

West Windsor South at Hunterdon Central