HACKETTSTOWN -- The odds favored Warren Hills' field hockey team before and during Saturday's Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament final.
Entering as heavy favorites, the Blue Streaks dominated as anticipated but goals for a high-powered offense proved difficult to come by. Junior midfielder Nikki Profita finally connected to break a scoreless tie in the second half to give Warren Hills a 1-0 win over Hackettstown in the fifth annual championship game -- and 43rd meeting between these rivals -- on the turf at Morrison Field.
"We definitely dominated the first half," said Profita, whose 15th goal with 18:39 left gave Warren Hills (16-3-1) its 13th straight win and third HWS title after winning previously in 2009 and '11. "We had a lot of great shots. They just weren't falling."
Warren Hills -- now 36-4-3 all-time in this series between Warren County rivals dating to 1969 -- has now won a record three tri-county titles in the tournament's five-year history after being snakebit in the former Hunterdon-Warren Tournament. The Streaks appeared in five H-W finals from 1987-2008 and lost them all. Needless to say, veteran coach Laurie Kerr was pleased with her team's title run.
"I just wanted us to go out and play hard," said Kerr, whose team has outscored its opponents 46-2 during this win streak. "We had a lot of opportunities. We just didn't cash in. Once we established our passing game, we looked pretty good and brought the ball down the right side. [Hackettstown] has some quick girls and some nice athletes."
Hackettstown (12-7), which was given less than a puncher's chance in this one coming in, did its best to make it a defensive struggle. The Tigers managed little offense -- firing off their only two shots-on-goal with about a minute left to play. Coach Stephen Speirs' team, playing in the program's first tri-county final, was aggressive, as the No. 5 seed posted two unlikely overtime wins on the road just to get to the championship game.
"They played a great game. You can't avoid making mistakes," said Speirs, whose daughter, Lexie, scored the game-winning goal for Hackettstown in its 2004 Hunterdon-Warren title win at Warren Hills -- the first of the Tigers' only two county championships. "[Warren Hills] put the ball in the cage and we didn't. I think we played our game. If I had to do it all over again, I would say I'd do the same thing."
Profita's goal came during Warren Hills' second corner of the second half. Her sister, Dani, fired one toward the cage, but sophomore goalie Rose Bishop, who was outstanding for Hackettstown, made a great diving save on the ball. Nikki Profita, who was named the tournament MVP, collected the rebound and buried it for her 15th goal to match junior forward Sydney Muntone for the team lead.
The Profitas and the rest of a relentless forward line peppered Bishop throughout the contest -- firing off three shots-on-goal in the first 30 minutes with five others sailing just wide of the cage. Nikki Profita seemingly put the Streaks on top nearly nine minutes in, but the officials waved off the goal because they said her shot was outside the circle and went in untouched by a defender.
Profita thought the goal should have counted.
"I was outside the circle, but it was an own goal. It went off one of [the Tigers'] sticks," she said. "We were a little frustrated. We thought that one fell."
The Streaks nearly had another when Dani Profita, who played despite a laceration under her right knee that required stitches after the game, fed senior midfielder Nikki Scott on a corner with two minutes left before halftime. But Schott's rifle drive went off Bishop's pads and the game remained deadlocked at zero.
"[Bishop] made some great saves," Speirs said. "I give her a lot of credit with this being her first year in the cage."
The second half was more of the same as Hackettstown packed the circle on defense in trying to slow down Warren Hills' offensive onslaught. With eight minutes remaining, junior forward Jessica Nissen bounced one off the right post, typifying the Streaks' day on offense.
"We just had to keep taking shots. Eventually, they were going to fall," Nikki Profita said. "Our defense is outstanding and our goalie [Taylor Austin] being this is her first year. I couldn't have [won the MVP award] without my teammates."
Junior backs Amanda Crampton, Allie Brouhard and Amanda Oberly, along with sophomore Rachel Phillips, were rock-solid, as usual, throughout the 60 minutes.
Despite the loss, Speirs was encouraged as his team heads into the North 1, Group 2 playoffs. The fifth-seeded Tigers will take on No. 4 Voorhees in a first-round game on Friday, Nov. 1.
"Voorhees is a skilled team just like Warren Hills," he said. "This gives me hope."
Warren Hills, the No. 4 seed and defending champion in the North 2, Group 3 draw, will host Princeton in a first-round game next Saturday. But first thing's first as the Streaks will play Somerville on Tuesday and can earn a share of the Skyland Conference Raritan Division title -- along with Voorhees -- with a victory.
"That's another big game for us and hopefully this is the start of a complete season to the finish line," said Kerr, now 15-2 overall in HWS games.
Hackettstown (12-7) 0 0 -- 0
Warren Hills (16-3-1) 0 1 -- 1
Scoring
Second half -- WH, Nikki Profita, 15th, 18:39.
Shots -- Hackettstown 2; Warren Hills 10.
Saves -- Rose Bishop 8, Marissa Siconolfi 1 (defensive) (H); Taylor Austin 2 (WH).
Penalty corners -- Hackettstown 3; Warren Hills 10.
Saturday, October 26, 2013
Friday, October 25, 2013
Field hockey: HWS starting lineups, facts, prediction
Who: Hackettstown Tigers vs. Warren Hills Blue Streaks.
What: Fifth annual Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament.
When: Saturday, 4 p.m.
Where: Morrison Field, Hackettstown High School.
Records: Hackettstown 12-6; Warren Hills 15-3-1.
Coaches: Stephen Speirs (fourth season, 35-36-2); Laurie Kerr (14th season, 234-66-12).
Series history: Warren Hills owns a 35-4-3 edge dating to 1969, including a 6-1 win here in the last meeting on Sept. 25, 2012. Hackettstown's last win was a 2-1 regular-season victory on its old grass field at Hatchery Hill School in 2006 before a 5-1 loss at Warren Hills in the Hunterdon-Warren semifinals. The Tigers' only other wins were: 3-2 in the 2004 Hunterdon-Warren final; 1-0 in 1970 and 1-0 in the first-ever meeting in 1969 -- both wins coming at home. The schools tied in '70 (0-0), '71 (1-1) and '04 (3-3).
Previous Champions: Newton/Warren Hills co-champs in 2009 (final was never played); Voorhees in 2010 and 2012; Warren Hills in 2011.
Note: Here's a closer look at both teams with probable starting lineups:
Hackettstown Tigers
How they got here: Beat Vernon, 9-0, in first round; South Hunterdon, 3-2 on strokes, in quarterfinals; Hunterdon Central, 4-3 in OT, in semifinals.
Previous tournament history: Beat Wallkill Valley, 3-1, in 2009 first round, Lost to Voorhees, 3-0 in 2009 quarterfinals; Lost to Wallkill Valley, 1-0, in 2010 first round; Beat Lenape Valley, 2-1 in overtime, in 2011 preliminary round, Lost to Belvidere, 1-0 in overtime, in 2011 first round, Lost to Pope John, 2-1, in 2012 first round. Overall HWS record: 5-4.
Probable starting lineup: Sr. F Kalie Thies (13 goals-12 assists-38 points); Sr. F Michelle Carlson (11-3-25); Sr. F Sierramarie Fitzgerald (10-10-30); Jr. F Kelly Healy (8-3-19); Sr. MF Nicole Andes (4-3-11); Sr. MF Nicole Felicetti (0-1-1); Sr. MF Illin Bangug (0-0-0); Jr. D Marissa Siconolfi (1-0-2); Jr. D Allana Fitzgerald (0-0-0); Jr. D Kaitlyn Keiser (0-1-1); So. GK Rose Bishop (75 saves, 6 shutouts, .798 save percentage, 1.06 goals against).
Warren Hills Blue Streaks
How they got here: Beat Kittatinny, 6-0, in first round; High Point, 3-0, in quarterfinals; Voorhees, 2-1, in semifinals.
Previous tournament history: Beat Delaware Valley, 8-2, in 2009 first round, Beat High Point, 4-0, in 2009 quarterfinals, Beat Pope John, 3-0 in 2009 semifinals; Beat Sparta, 6-0, in 2010 first round, Beat Wallkill Valley, 4-1, in 2010 quarterfinals, Beat Newton, 2-1 in overtime, in 2010 semifinals, Lost to Voorhees, 1-0, in 2010 championship game; Beat North Warren, 9-0, in 2011 first round, Beat Newton, 5-0, in 2011 quarterfinals, Beat Wallkill Valley, 8-1, in 2011 semifinals, Beat High Point, 3-1, in 2011 championship game; Beat Lenape Valley, 5-1, in 2012 first round, Beat Pope John, 8-0, in 2012 quarterfinals, Lost to Voorhees, 2-0, in 2012 semifinals. Overall HWS record: 14-2.
Probable starting lineup: Jr. F Sydney Muntone (15 goals-9 assists-39 points); Fr. F Dani Profita (11-7-29); Sr. F Jessica Nissen (7-2-16); Jr. MF Nikki Profita (14-10-38); Sr. MF Nikki Schott (5-6-16); Sr. MF Melanie Loth (0-0-0); Jr. D Amanda Crampton (1-7-9); Jr. D Allie Brouhard (2-0-4); So. D Rachel Phillips (0-0-0); Jr. D Amanda Oberly (0-0-0); So. GK Taylor Austin (61 saves, 9 1/2 shutouts, .884 save percentage, 0.58 goals against).
Analysis: On paper, this appears to be a huge mismatch. But games are played on the field and not on paper. And you can't ignore Hackettstown's improbable run to get to the final by beating favored South Hunterdon and Hunterdon Central on the road. The Tigers have absolutely nothing to lose and have the one benefit of playing on their home field. The key will be getting off to a quick start and possibly connecting for an early goal -- Carlson is red-hot on offense with five goals in her last five games -- to put some pressure on Warren Hills, which has played in more high-pressure games. The Streaks are playing their best hockey and are on a major roll right now, winning 12 in a row and outscoring its opponents, 45-2, during that stretch. If either of the Profita sisters or Muntone are left unmarked it will be a long day for the Tigers' defense. But the same token, the Streaks' defense has been an unsung unit this season -- allowing a total of four goals in the team's last 14 games -- with Crampton and Brouhard anchoring the backfield. Warren Hills simply has too much talent and the Cinderella story ends at home.
Pick: Warren Hills, 4-1.
What: Fifth annual Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament.
When: Saturday, 4 p.m.
Where: Morrison Field, Hackettstown High School.
Records: Hackettstown 12-6; Warren Hills 15-3-1.
Coaches: Stephen Speirs (fourth season, 35-36-2); Laurie Kerr (14th season, 234-66-12).
Series history: Warren Hills owns a 35-4-3 edge dating to 1969, including a 6-1 win here in the last meeting on Sept. 25, 2012. Hackettstown's last win was a 2-1 regular-season victory on its old grass field at Hatchery Hill School in 2006 before a 5-1 loss at Warren Hills in the Hunterdon-Warren semifinals. The Tigers' only other wins were: 3-2 in the 2004 Hunterdon-Warren final; 1-0 in 1970 and 1-0 in the first-ever meeting in 1969 -- both wins coming at home. The schools tied in '70 (0-0), '71 (1-1) and '04 (3-3).
Previous Champions: Newton/Warren Hills co-champs in 2009 (final was never played); Voorhees in 2010 and 2012; Warren Hills in 2011.
Note: Here's a closer look at both teams with probable starting lineups:
Hackettstown Tigers
How they got here: Beat Vernon, 9-0, in first round; South Hunterdon, 3-2 on strokes, in quarterfinals; Hunterdon Central, 4-3 in OT, in semifinals.
Previous tournament history: Beat Wallkill Valley, 3-1, in 2009 first round, Lost to Voorhees, 3-0 in 2009 quarterfinals; Lost to Wallkill Valley, 1-0, in 2010 first round; Beat Lenape Valley, 2-1 in overtime, in 2011 preliminary round, Lost to Belvidere, 1-0 in overtime, in 2011 first round, Lost to Pope John, 2-1, in 2012 first round. Overall HWS record: 5-4.
Probable starting lineup: Sr. F Kalie Thies (13 goals-12 assists-38 points); Sr. F Michelle Carlson (11-3-25); Sr. F Sierramarie Fitzgerald (10-10-30); Jr. F Kelly Healy (8-3-19); Sr. MF Nicole Andes (4-3-11); Sr. MF Nicole Felicetti (0-1-1); Sr. MF Illin Bangug (0-0-0); Jr. D Marissa Siconolfi (1-0-2); Jr. D Allana Fitzgerald (0-0-0); Jr. D Kaitlyn Keiser (0-1-1); So. GK Rose Bishop (75 saves, 6 shutouts, .798 save percentage, 1.06 goals against).
Warren Hills Blue Streaks
How they got here: Beat Kittatinny, 6-0, in first round; High Point, 3-0, in quarterfinals; Voorhees, 2-1, in semifinals.
Previous tournament history: Beat Delaware Valley, 8-2, in 2009 first round, Beat High Point, 4-0, in 2009 quarterfinals, Beat Pope John, 3-0 in 2009 semifinals; Beat Sparta, 6-0, in 2010 first round, Beat Wallkill Valley, 4-1, in 2010 quarterfinals, Beat Newton, 2-1 in overtime, in 2010 semifinals, Lost to Voorhees, 1-0, in 2010 championship game; Beat North Warren, 9-0, in 2011 first round, Beat Newton, 5-0, in 2011 quarterfinals, Beat Wallkill Valley, 8-1, in 2011 semifinals, Beat High Point, 3-1, in 2011 championship game; Beat Lenape Valley, 5-1, in 2012 first round, Beat Pope John, 8-0, in 2012 quarterfinals, Lost to Voorhees, 2-0, in 2012 semifinals. Overall HWS record: 14-2.
Probable starting lineup: Jr. F Sydney Muntone (15 goals-9 assists-39 points); Fr. F Dani Profita (11-7-29); Sr. F Jessica Nissen (7-2-16); Jr. MF Nikki Profita (14-10-38); Sr. MF Nikki Schott (5-6-16); Sr. MF Melanie Loth (0-0-0); Jr. D Amanda Crampton (1-7-9); Jr. D Allie Brouhard (2-0-4); So. D Rachel Phillips (0-0-0); Jr. D Amanda Oberly (0-0-0); So. GK Taylor Austin (61 saves, 9 1/2 shutouts, .884 save percentage, 0.58 goals against).
Analysis: On paper, this appears to be a huge mismatch. But games are played on the field and not on paper. And you can't ignore Hackettstown's improbable run to get to the final by beating favored South Hunterdon and Hunterdon Central on the road. The Tigers have absolutely nothing to lose and have the one benefit of playing on their home field. The key will be getting off to a quick start and possibly connecting for an early goal -- Carlson is red-hot on offense with five goals in her last five games -- to put some pressure on Warren Hills, which has played in more high-pressure games. The Streaks are playing their best hockey and are on a major roll right now, winning 12 in a row and outscoring its opponents, 45-2, during that stretch. If either of the Profita sisters or Muntone are left unmarked it will be a long day for the Tigers' defense. But the same token, the Streaks' defense has been an unsung unit this season -- allowing a total of four goals in the team's last 14 games -- with Crampton and Brouhard anchoring the backfield. Warren Hills simply has too much talent and the Cinderella story ends at home.
Pick: Warren Hills, 4-1.
NJSIAA field hockey: Central, Lenape earn top seeds
As we wind down the regular season and get set for the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament final on Saturday, the pairings and seeds for next week's sectional tournaments were finalized on Friday. First-round games are scheduled for Monday through Thursday.
Here are the draws which house teams from the Open Mike area. All pairings and seeds are unofficial until a 24-hour review period.
Hunterdon Central (15-5) in North 2, Group 4 and Lenape Valley (13-5-1) in North 1, Group 1 are the only area teams to receive No. 1 seeds.
Warren Hills (15-3-1), last year's Group 3 runner-up and North 2, Group 3 champion, drew the No. 4 seed for this year's sectional tournament. The Blue Streaks, who have won 10 sectional titles and are 58-37 overall in the postseason, will host No. 5 Princeton in a first-round matchup. The only other time Warren Hills faced the Mercer County school in the postseason was 1972 -- a 3-0 win at home for Princeton.
Another 2012 sectional champion, West Morris, which lost 6-4 to Warren Hills in last year's Group 3 semifinals, drew the top seed in the North 2, Group 3 bracket.
There are two local matchups in the opening rounds with No. 5 Hackettstown at No. 4 Voorhees in North 1, Group 2, while No. 10 North Warren visits No. 7 Newton in North 1, Group 1. Newton won both regular-season meetings -- 4-1 at home on Sept. 18 and 1-0 in Blairstown on Oct. 21.
Group 4
9-Union (3-15) at 8-Westfield (3-11-2), winner to meet 1-Bridgewater-Raritan (16-1)
12-North Hunterdon (1-14-1) at 5-Columbia (6-9-2)
13-Hackensack (1-13) at 4-Morris Knolls (11-5-1)
11-Phillipsburg (2-12-2) at 6-Randolph (7-8-1), winner to meet 3-Ridge (13-7)
10-Watchung Hills (3-13-2) at 7-Livingston (3-9-2), winner to meet 2-Montclair (11-2-4)
Group 3
9-Montville (9-7) at 8-Roxbury (5-8-3), winner to meet 1-Northern Highlands (16-1)
5-Sparta (10-7-1) at 4-Wayne Valley (9-5)
11-Demarest (0-14-1) at 6-West Milford (10-7), winner to meet 3-Passaic Valley (10-6)
10-Mount Olive (4-12-1) at 7-Vernon (8-8), winner to meet 2-Wayne Hills (15-1)
Group 2
9-Lakeland (6-8) at 8-Summit (10-4-2), winner to meet 1-Parsippany (17-1)
5-Hackettstown (12-6) at 4-Voorhees (14-4)
11-Parsippany Hills (0-13-2) at 6-Ramsey (12-4-1), winner to meet 3-High Point (14-1-3)
10-River Dell (6-9-1) at 7-Chatham (9-8), winner to meet 2-West Essex (15-1)
Group 1
9-Belvidere (5-9-3) at 8-Boonton (9-9), winner to meet 1-Lenape Valley (13-5-1)
12-Pequannock (2-13) at 5-Wallkill Valley (8-11), winner to meet 4-Mountain Lakes (10-6-1)
11-Butler (7-11) at 6-Whippany Park (8-9-1), winner to meet 3-Kittatinny (8-7-3)
10-North Warren (4-12-2) at 7-Newton (6-11-1), winner to meet 2-Westwood (9-7)
Group 4
9-Old Bridge (2-13-2) at 8-Hillsborough (6-13), winner to meet 1-Hunterdon Central (15-5)
5-Monroe (8-9-1) at 4-West Windsor South (11-7)
11-Piscataway (1-15-2) at 6-Montgomery (9-8-1), winner to meet 3-South Brunswick (8-3-4)
10-Franklin (6-9-2) at 7-West Windsor North (7-10), winner to meet 2-East Brunswick (15-3-1)
Group 3
9-Morristown (9-7-1) at 8-Middletown South (7-4-2), winner to meet 1-West Morris (17-1)
5-Princeton (12-4-1) at 4-Warren Hills (15-3-1)
11-Millburn (5-10-2) at 6-Hightstown (9-4-2), winner to meet 3-Hopewell Valley (13-3-1)
10-Middletown North (5-8-2) at 7-Ocean Township (12-3-1), winner to meet 2-Mendham (13-3-1)
Group 2
9-Somerville (1-15-3) at 8-Delaware Valley (8-9-1), winner to meet 1-Rumson (14-0-1)
5-Matawan (7-7-1) at 4-Johnson (12-6-1)
6-Raritan (8-11) at 3-Holmdel (9-3-2)
7-Cranford (6-10) at 2-South Plainfield (17-2)
Group 1
9-Metuchen (9-8) at 8-New Egypt (7-7-1), winner to meet 1-Shore (16-0-1)
5-Bernards (14-4) at 4-South Hunterdon (15-3)
6-Keyport (11-3-1) at 3-Madison (17-0)
10-Florence (7-6-1) at 7-Glen Ridge (9-5-1), winner to meet 2-Bordentown (13-2-1)
Here are the draws which house teams from the Open Mike area. All pairings and seeds are unofficial until a 24-hour review period.
Hunterdon Central (15-5) in North 2, Group 4 and Lenape Valley (13-5-1) in North 1, Group 1 are the only area teams to receive No. 1 seeds.
Warren Hills (15-3-1), last year's Group 3 runner-up and North 2, Group 3 champion, drew the No. 4 seed for this year's sectional tournament. The Blue Streaks, who have won 10 sectional titles and are 58-37 overall in the postseason, will host No. 5 Princeton in a first-round matchup. The only other time Warren Hills faced the Mercer County school in the postseason was 1972 -- a 3-0 win at home for Princeton.
Another 2012 sectional champion, West Morris, which lost 6-4 to Warren Hills in last year's Group 3 semifinals, drew the top seed in the North 2, Group 3 bracket.
There are two local matchups in the opening rounds with No. 5 Hackettstown at No. 4 Voorhees in North 1, Group 2, while No. 10 North Warren visits No. 7 Newton in North 1, Group 1. Newton won both regular-season meetings -- 4-1 at home on Sept. 18 and 1-0 in Blairstown on Oct. 21.
North 1
Group 4
9-Union (3-15) at 8-Westfield (3-11-2), winner to meet 1-Bridgewater-Raritan (16-1)
12-North Hunterdon (1-14-1) at 5-Columbia (6-9-2)
13-Hackensack (1-13) at 4-Morris Knolls (11-5-1)
11-Phillipsburg (2-12-2) at 6-Randolph (7-8-1), winner to meet 3-Ridge (13-7)
10-Watchung Hills (3-13-2) at 7-Livingston (3-9-2), winner to meet 2-Montclair (11-2-4)
Group 3
9-Montville (9-7) at 8-Roxbury (5-8-3), winner to meet 1-Northern Highlands (16-1)
5-Sparta (10-7-1) at 4-Wayne Valley (9-5)
11-Demarest (0-14-1) at 6-West Milford (10-7), winner to meet 3-Passaic Valley (10-6)
10-Mount Olive (4-12-1) at 7-Vernon (8-8), winner to meet 2-Wayne Hills (15-1)
Group 2
9-Lakeland (6-8) at 8-Summit (10-4-2), winner to meet 1-Parsippany (17-1)
5-Hackettstown (12-6) at 4-Voorhees (14-4)
11-Parsippany Hills (0-13-2) at 6-Ramsey (12-4-1), winner to meet 3-High Point (14-1-3)
10-River Dell (6-9-1) at 7-Chatham (9-8), winner to meet 2-West Essex (15-1)
Group 1
9-Belvidere (5-9-3) at 8-Boonton (9-9), winner to meet 1-Lenape Valley (13-5-1)
12-Pequannock (2-13) at 5-Wallkill Valley (8-11), winner to meet 4-Mountain Lakes (10-6-1)
11-Butler (7-11) at 6-Whippany Park (8-9-1), winner to meet 3-Kittatinny (8-7-3)
10-North Warren (4-12-2) at 7-Newton (6-11-1), winner to meet 2-Westwood (9-7)
North 2
Group 4
9-Old Bridge (2-13-2) at 8-Hillsborough (6-13), winner to meet 1-Hunterdon Central (15-5)
5-Monroe (8-9-1) at 4-West Windsor South (11-7)
11-Piscataway (1-15-2) at 6-Montgomery (9-8-1), winner to meet 3-South Brunswick (8-3-4)
10-Franklin (6-9-2) at 7-West Windsor North (7-10), winner to meet 2-East Brunswick (15-3-1)
Group 3
9-Morristown (9-7-1) at 8-Middletown South (7-4-2), winner to meet 1-West Morris (17-1)
5-Princeton (12-4-1) at 4-Warren Hills (15-3-1)
11-Millburn (5-10-2) at 6-Hightstown (9-4-2), winner to meet 3-Hopewell Valley (13-3-1)
10-Middletown North (5-8-2) at 7-Ocean Township (12-3-1), winner to meet 2-Mendham (13-3-1)
Group 2
9-Somerville (1-15-3) at 8-Delaware Valley (8-9-1), winner to meet 1-Rumson (14-0-1)
5-Matawan (7-7-1) at 4-Johnson (12-6-1)
6-Raritan (8-11) at 3-Holmdel (9-3-2)
7-Cranford (6-10) at 2-South Plainfield (17-2)
Group 1
9-Metuchen (9-8) at 8-New Egypt (7-7-1), winner to meet 1-Shore (16-0-1)
5-Bernards (14-4) at 4-South Hunterdon (15-3)
6-Keyport (11-3-1) at 3-Madison (17-0)
10-Florence (7-6-1) at 7-Glen Ridge (9-5-1), winner to meet 2-Bordentown (13-2-1)
Field hockey: Tigers face tall order against Streaks
It's been nearly a decade since Hackettstown's field hockey program made its mark and had everyone take notice with a strong effort in a county tournament.
In 2005, the Tigers pulled off the only Warren County repeat with a 1-0 victory over Hunterdon Central to claim back-to-back Hunterdon-Warren titles. But it was that first title game the previous year that people still talk about today.
Hackettstown hopes to make history again on Saturday when it takes on state power Warren Hills in the championship game of the fifth annual Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament. Game time is 4 p.m. on the turf at Morrison Field.
Fourth-year coach Stephen Speirs' Tigers (12-6) have defied the odds as a No. 5 seed to reach the school's first county final since 2005 and its first-ever in the tri-county era. After knocking off top-seeded South Hunterdon (4-3 on strokes in the quarterfinals) and third-seeded Hunterdon Central (4-3 in overtime in the semifinals), the Tigers are one win away from the program's first title since 2005.
"I don't think anybody expected us [to get to the final]. We were certainly the underdogs coming in," said Speirs, whose team opened the tournament with a 9-0 road win over Vernon. "I'm not surprised because I know what this team is capable of. We have nothing to lose and everything to gain."
It's come full circle for Speirs, a 1980 Warren Hills graduate. He was also part of perhaps the biggest win in Hackettstown's field hockey history back in 2004.
Hackettstown, then coached by Gina DiMaio, was a huge underdog against Warren Hills in that year's Hunterdon-Warren title game -- the first-ever All-Warren County matchup. Playing on the Washington school's grass field -- which is still in pristine condition today -- the Tigers found themselves in a 2-0 deficit just 8:35 into the first half. But goals by Nicole Russo and Heather Re knotted the game to force overtime.
In double sudden-victory OT, sophomore Lexie Speirs -- off a nice reverse-stick pass from Re -- connected for the game-winner and a stunning 3-2 upset-win that gave Hackettstown its first county title -- Warren County's second after Belvidere in 1992 -- and the program's first win over Warren Hills since 1970. It was only the third year back as a program after Hackettstown dropped the sport following the 1986 season.
Now, Lexie Speirs' father gets a chance to coach against Warren Hills -- his alma mater -- in a rematch of that finals classic nine years later.
"I'll never forget that game," he said. "That is an interesting back story and adds a little flavor this one since I am a [Warren Hills] alumni. I went to school with a lot of the parents of players on Warren Hills' team."
Warren Hills (15-3-1) is one of the hottest teams in the state right now and hungry for the program's third county title. Coach Laurie Kerr's Blue Streaks have won 12 in a row, outscoring their opponents 45-2 during that stretch. In addition, Warren Hills holds a 35-4-3 edge in the all-time series dating to 1969, winning seven in a row since a 2-1 loss at Hackettstown in 2006. In the only other county tournament meeting, the Streaks earned a 5-1 win in the rematch that season in the H-W semifinals.
"I understand what we're up against," said Speirs, whose teams went 23-30-2 in his first three seasons at the helm. "Laurie Kerr is such a phenomenal coach and they have such a great program over there. They're really well-rounded and a strong team."
Speirs was disappointed that Warren Hills didn't make it onto his regular season schedule as in previous years. The teams had met at least once every year since 2004, with Warren Hills posting a 6-1 win at Hackettstown in 2012. But the last seven meetings have not been particularly competitive, including 3-0 and 8-0 losses in Speirs' first two seasons in charge.
This season, the teams have two common opponents: Kittatinny and Hunterdon Central. Warren Hills beat both -- 6-0 and 3-0, respectively -- while Hackettstown defeated Central in overtime and split two meetings with Kittatinny -- losing 1-0 on Sept. 30 and taking the rematch 2-0 on Thursday.
So how does Hackettstown go about this David vs. Goliath matchup?
"I've heard coach Kerr say many times that they're a second-half team and we also tend to be a second-half team," Speirs said. "You can't do that with this Warren Hills team. You can't be behind. Getting off to a quick start is huge for us. I've seen them play and they're quick to the ball and very skilled. They're not only fast on the field, but they're quick cutting to the ball."
By a strange twist of fate, this game is being played at Hackettstown, which will be the visiting team by virtue of Warren Hills being a No. 4 seed. The three previous finals were all played at a neutral site -- last year's game was also at Morrison Field between Voorhees and High Point.
Speirs admitted that it was a bit of a slap in the face that Hackettstown was chosen as the neutral site for the finals before the tournaments played a game, as it was assumed the Tigers had little to no chance of reaching the title game. Does home field give them an edge?
"Turf is turf. They're a turf team and we're a turf team," Speirs said. "If we can get our fans there, maybe their energy will motivate our girls."
Senior forwards Kalie Thies (13 goals, 12 assists) and Michelle Carlson (11 goals) have paced Hackettstown's offense, particularly in this tournament run. Thies has two goals and four assists in the three county games, while Carlson has three goals, including two against Hunterdon Central and the big one in OT that sent the Tigers to the final. The offense has scored a total of 54 goals for an average of three per game.
Speirs also is high on his defensive backfield, led by junior Marissa Siconolfi. Junior Kaitlyn Keiser has done a nice job at sweeper since replacing sophomore Michaela Sass, who was lost for the season with a thumb injury.
The defense and sophomore goalie Rose Bishop will have their hands full against a well-balanced and potent Warren Hills offense, led by junior forward Sydney Muntone (15 goals, 10 assists) and junior midfielder Nikki Profita (14 goals, 10 assists). The Streaks have combined for 67 goals in 19 games, an average of 3.5 per game.
The Streaks are playing in their ninth county final overall and are bidding for their third HWS title.
"Hackettstown is having a good year. We need to come out strong," Profita said after Warren Hills' 2-1 win over Voorhees in the semifinals.
Regardless of the outcome, Speirs is pleased with how his team has played this season coming off a 9-9-1 season in 2012.
"Being the only fall sport at Hackettstown to reach a Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex final is such a big accomplishment," he said. "In my book, they're already winners."
In 2005, the Tigers pulled off the only Warren County repeat with a 1-0 victory over Hunterdon Central to claim back-to-back Hunterdon-Warren titles. But it was that first title game the previous year that people still talk about today.
Hackettstown hopes to make history again on Saturday when it takes on state power Warren Hills in the championship game of the fifth annual Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament. Game time is 4 p.m. on the turf at Morrison Field.
Fourth-year coach Stephen Speirs' Tigers (12-6) have defied the odds as a No. 5 seed to reach the school's first county final since 2005 and its first-ever in the tri-county era. After knocking off top-seeded South Hunterdon (4-3 on strokes in the quarterfinals) and third-seeded Hunterdon Central (4-3 in overtime in the semifinals), the Tigers are one win away from the program's first title since 2005.
"I don't think anybody expected us [to get to the final]. We were certainly the underdogs coming in," said Speirs, whose team opened the tournament with a 9-0 road win over Vernon. "I'm not surprised because I know what this team is capable of. We have nothing to lose and everything to gain."
It's come full circle for Speirs, a 1980 Warren Hills graduate. He was also part of perhaps the biggest win in Hackettstown's field hockey history back in 2004.
Hackettstown, then coached by Gina DiMaio, was a huge underdog against Warren Hills in that year's Hunterdon-Warren title game -- the first-ever All-Warren County matchup. Playing on the Washington school's grass field -- which is still in pristine condition today -- the Tigers found themselves in a 2-0 deficit just 8:35 into the first half. But goals by Nicole Russo and Heather Re knotted the game to force overtime.
In double sudden-victory OT, sophomore Lexie Speirs -- off a nice reverse-stick pass from Re -- connected for the game-winner and a stunning 3-2 upset-win that gave Hackettstown its first county title -- Warren County's second after Belvidere in 1992 -- and the program's first win over Warren Hills since 1970. It was only the third year back as a program after Hackettstown dropped the sport following the 1986 season.
Now, Lexie Speirs' father gets a chance to coach against Warren Hills -- his alma mater -- in a rematch of that finals classic nine years later.
"I'll never forget that game," he said. "That is an interesting back story and adds a little flavor this one since I am a [Warren Hills] alumni. I went to school with a lot of the parents of players on Warren Hills' team."
Warren Hills (15-3-1) is one of the hottest teams in the state right now and hungry for the program's third county title. Coach Laurie Kerr's Blue Streaks have won 12 in a row, outscoring their opponents 45-2 during that stretch. In addition, Warren Hills holds a 35-4-3 edge in the all-time series dating to 1969, winning seven in a row since a 2-1 loss at Hackettstown in 2006. In the only other county tournament meeting, the Streaks earned a 5-1 win in the rematch that season in the H-W semifinals.
"I understand what we're up against," said Speirs, whose teams went 23-30-2 in his first three seasons at the helm. "Laurie Kerr is such a phenomenal coach and they have such a great program over there. They're really well-rounded and a strong team."
Speirs was disappointed that Warren Hills didn't make it onto his regular season schedule as in previous years. The teams had met at least once every year since 2004, with Warren Hills posting a 6-1 win at Hackettstown in 2012. But the last seven meetings have not been particularly competitive, including 3-0 and 8-0 losses in Speirs' first two seasons in charge.
This season, the teams have two common opponents: Kittatinny and Hunterdon Central. Warren Hills beat both -- 6-0 and 3-0, respectively -- while Hackettstown defeated Central in overtime and split two meetings with Kittatinny -- losing 1-0 on Sept. 30 and taking the rematch 2-0 on Thursday.
So how does Hackettstown go about this David vs. Goliath matchup?
"I've heard coach Kerr say many times that they're a second-half team and we also tend to be a second-half team," Speirs said. "You can't do that with this Warren Hills team. You can't be behind. Getting off to a quick start is huge for us. I've seen them play and they're quick to the ball and very skilled. They're not only fast on the field, but they're quick cutting to the ball."
By a strange twist of fate, this game is being played at Hackettstown, which will be the visiting team by virtue of Warren Hills being a No. 4 seed. The three previous finals were all played at a neutral site -- last year's game was also at Morrison Field between Voorhees and High Point.
Speirs admitted that it was a bit of a slap in the face that Hackettstown was chosen as the neutral site for the finals before the tournaments played a game, as it was assumed the Tigers had little to no chance of reaching the title game. Does home field give them an edge?
"Turf is turf. They're a turf team and we're a turf team," Speirs said. "If we can get our fans there, maybe their energy will motivate our girls."
Senior forwards Kalie Thies (13 goals, 12 assists) and Michelle Carlson (11 goals) have paced Hackettstown's offense, particularly in this tournament run. Thies has two goals and four assists in the three county games, while Carlson has three goals, including two against Hunterdon Central and the big one in OT that sent the Tigers to the final. The offense has scored a total of 54 goals for an average of three per game.
Speirs also is high on his defensive backfield, led by junior Marissa Siconolfi. Junior Kaitlyn Keiser has done a nice job at sweeper since replacing sophomore Michaela Sass, who was lost for the season with a thumb injury.
The defense and sophomore goalie Rose Bishop will have their hands full against a well-balanced and potent Warren Hills offense, led by junior forward Sydney Muntone (15 goals, 10 assists) and junior midfielder Nikki Profita (14 goals, 10 assists). The Streaks have combined for 67 goals in 19 games, an average of 3.5 per game.
The Streaks are playing in their ninth county final overall and are bidding for their third HWS title.
"Hackettstown is having a good year. We need to come out strong," Profita said after Warren Hills' 2-1 win over Voorhees in the semifinals.
Regardless of the outcome, Speirs is pleased with how his team has played this season coming off a 9-9-1 season in 2012.
"Being the only fall sport at Hackettstown to reach a Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex final is such a big accomplishment," he said. "In my book, they're already winners."
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Field hockey: Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex standings
(Through Oct. 22)
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Skyland Conference
|
|||
|
Delaware Division
|
|||
|
Overall
|
Division
|
||
|
x-Bridgewater-Raritan
|
(16-1)
|
(11-1)
|
|
|
Hunterdon Central
|
(15-4)
|
(10-2)
|
|
|
Ridge
|
(13-6)
|
(8-4)
|
|
|
Pingry
|
(5-9-1)
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(5-6)
|
|
|
Hillsborough
|
(5-12)
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(4-8)
|
|
|
Watchung Hills
|
(2-13-2)
|
(1-9-1)
|
|
|
North Hunterdon
|
(1-14-1)
|
(1-10-1)
|
|
|
Raritan Division
|
|||
|
Overall
|
Division
|
||
|
y-Voorhees
|
(13-4)
|
(9-1)
|
|
|
Warren Hills
|
(14-3-1)
|
(8-1)
|
|
|
Montgomery
|
(9-8-1)
|
(5-5)
|
|
|
Delaware Valley
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(6-9-1)
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(4-5-1)
|
|
|
Phillipsburg
|
(2-11-2)
|
(1-7-2)
|
|
|
Somerville
|
(1-14-3)
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(0-8-1)
|
|
|
Valley Division
|
|||
|
Overall
|
Division
|
||
|
x-South Hunterdon
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(15-3)
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(9-1)
|
|
|
x-Bernards
|
(13-4)
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(9-1)
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|
|
Mount Saint Mary
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(10-7-1)
|
(5-5)
|
|
|
Belvidere
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(5-9-3)
|
(4-5-1)
|
|
|
Franklin
|
(6-9-2)
|
(2-7-1)
|
|
|
North Plainfield
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(0-13-1)
|
(0-10)
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|
|
Northwest Jersey
Athletic Conference
|
|||
|
Freedom Division
|
|||
|
Overall
|
Division
|
||
|
x-Parsippany
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(16-1)
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(13-0)
|
|
|
Lenape Valley
|
(13-4-1)
|
(9-3-1)
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|
|
Kittatinny
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(8-6-3)
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(7-4-2)
|
|
|
Hackettstown
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(11-6)
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(7-6)
|
|
|
Wallkill Valley
|
(7-11)
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(5-8)
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|
|
Newton
|
(6-10-1)
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(4-8-1)
|
|
|
Jefferson
|
(2-12-2)
|
(2-9-2)
|
|
|
North Warren
|
(4-11-2)
|
(1-10-2)
|
|
|
American Division
|
|||
|
Overall
|
Division
|
||
|
High Point
|
(13-1-3)
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(11-0-1)
|
|
|
Morris Knolls
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(10-5-1)
|
(9-2)
|
|
|
Sparta
|
(9-6-1)
|
(8-3-1)
|
|
|
Montville
|
(9-6)
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(8-4)
|
|
|
Vernon
|
(7-8)
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(5-7)
|
|
|
Mount Olive
|
(3-11-1)
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(2-9)
|
|
|
Morris Hills
|
(3-14)
|
(2-10)
|
|
|
Pope John
|
(1-15)
|
(1-11)
|
|
|
x-division champion
|
|||
|
y-clinched share of division title
|
|||
Monday, October 21, 2013
Field hockey: Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex rankings
It's hard to believe, but this is the final week of the regular season. The state tournament cutoff is Thursday (only the first 13 games count towards power points) and the postseason kicks off on Monday with the sectional tournaments.
But first thing's first, as Warren Hills and Hackettstown will battle on Saturday for the championship in the fifth annual Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament. The game will be played at Hackettstown, a designated site before the tournament began, despite all three previous tournament finals having been contested on neutral fields. For some reason, the bylaws, which call for a neutral site, are being ignored for this one.
Sort of the way the semifinals being held on a neutral turf field was a one-and-done idea in 2009, the first year of the tri-county tournament as Sussex County joined the party. What a first year that was, as the final between Newton and Warren Hills was never played because of scheduling conflicts with the late finish date that coincided with both schools being involved in sectional tournament games. Co-champions were declared that year. Fun times.
I've been told by many athletic directors over the years that this is a "showcase event." Well, sticking to neutral fields for the finals and having semifinals at one site -- all games on turf -- would be a start in that direction. As it stands right now, this event is not being showcased as is.
Anyway, High Point's 51-game win streak in the American Division of the Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference ended on Monday with a 1-1 tie at Sparta. The Wildcats outscored their opponents, 222-25 during that streak and haven't lost a divisional game since a 2-0 loss at Vernon on Nov. 9, 2009. So the streak continues in that regard as an unbeaten stretch.
It's further evidence as to how far Sparta's program has come in just a short time. Two seasons ago, the Spartans (9-6-1 this year) went 0-16 and scored a total of two goals. Second-year coach Kristin Savasta, after a 5-11 campaign in 2012, believes the Sussex County school is on the right track and has a feeder program in place this season for the first time.
"I'm so proud. This program has come a long way," Savasta said after Monday's tie. "To be 9-6-1 is huge for us. We want to keep improving and keep building. Hopefully, we can finish up with a winning season."
Amazingly, Sparta will likely host at least one playoff game in the North 1, Group 3 bracket. Lenape Valley, also enjoying an amazing turnaround after last year's two-win season, should be the No. 1 seed in the North 1, Group 1 draw, that also includes Kittatinny, Newton, Wallkill Valley, Belvidere and North Warren.
Now onto this week's rankings:
1. Warren Hills (14-3-1) -- Blue Streaks knocked off two longtime rivals last week with a 3-0 win over No. 4 Hunterdon Central on Tuesday and a 2-1 victory over No. 2 Voorhees on Saturday in the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex semifinals -- earning the program's eighth county finals appearance and third in the tri-county event's five-year history. Coach Laurie Kerr's team extended its win streak to 11 in a row with Monday's 4-0 win at Bernards, outscoring its opponents by a combined 39-2 margin during that stretch. Junior midfielder Nikki Profita and freshman forward Dani Profita have keyed this win streak. Nikki scored the go-ahead goal against Voorhees, while Dani scored twice against Central.
Up next: at Pingry on Thursday; at Hackettstown on Saturday in HWS championship game.
2. Voorhees (13-4) -- Vikings move up one spot after a 1-1 week -- scoring a 3-1 win over Hillsborough in a Skyland Conference crossover on Thursday before a 2-1 loss to nemesis Warren Hills on Saturday in the HWS semifinals. The Hunterdon County school still holds a 30-19-6 edge in the series, but has dropped five of the last seven meetings and has lost twice to Warren Hills in the same season for only the fifth time since the rivalry began in 1975. Sophomore Kathryn Roncoroni leads the Vikes with 27 goals -- six shy of the school's single-season record held by Colleen Boyce (33 in 2010). Third-year coach Taylor Webb's team has one regular-season game remaining before the North 1, Group 2 playoffs commence next week.
Up next: Ridge at home on Thursday.
3. Lenape Valley (12-4-1) -- Patriots vault up two spots after a 3-0 week. Coach Kate Rothman's club posted a hard-fought 2-1 win over No. 9 Sparta last Monday before a big 1-0 win over No. 8 Kittatinny on Wednesday that likely secured the No. 1 seed for the upcoming North 1, Group 1 playoffs. Junior forward Kassidy Forik leads the Pats with 14 goals and has scored in four straight games, including one in each of last week's three wins. Junior midfielder and captain Sally Olson has one goal or an assist in eight straight games and leads the team with 10 assists.
Up next: North Warren at home on Tuesday; at Wallkill Valley on Thursday.
4. Hunterdon Central (14-4) -- Red Devils went 2-2 last week, capping the slate with a 4-3 loss in overtime at home to No. 6 Hackettstown on Saturday in the HWS semifinals. Central was bidding for its first county finals appearance since 2007. Coach Jenn Sponzo's team opened with a 3-0 win over North Hunterdon in a Skyland Conference Delaware Division matchup last Monday, followed by a 3-0 loss to No. 1 Warren Hills and a 3-0 win over Watchung Hills on Thursday. Junior forward Kendall Nickel totaled two goals and an assist in the four games, while junior midfielder Ali Baligian (knee) returned to the lineup and scored in Saturday's loss.
Up next: at Hillsborough on Tuesday; at Delaware Valley on Thursday.
5. South Hunterdon (14-3) -- Eagles prevailed in a pair of shutouts last week -- 3-0 at Somerville on Tuesday and 2-0 at Delaware Valley on Thursday in Skyland Conference crossover matchups. Senior forward Kaycee Zelkovsky added four more goals to her tri-county leading total of 34, scoring three times against Somerville. Senior goalie Samantha Soscia raised her shutout total to 11. The Hunterdon County school will likely be a No. 3 or 4 seed in the North 2, Group 1 playoffs behind state powers Shore Regional and Madison.
Up next: Montgomery at home on Tuesday; Pennington at home on Monday, Oct. 28.
6. Hackettstown (11-5) -- Tigers continued their Cinderella run through the HWS tournament with a 4-3 win in overtime against No. 4 Hunterdon Central in the semifinals on Saturday. The No. 5 seed ousted top-seeded South Hunterdon the previous week on strokes in the quarterfinals. Coach Stephen Speirs' club also gave a good account in a 1-0 loss to previously-unbeaten Parsippany on Friday in an NJAC Freedom Division clash after opening last week with a 4-2 win over North Warren. Senior forward Kalie Thies continued her stellar play with three goals and an assist in the three wins, while forward Michelle Carlson racked four goals, including the game-winner against Central.
Up next: at Wallkill Valley on Tuesday; Kittatinny at home on Thursday; Warren Hills at home on Saturday in the HWS championship game.
7. High Point (13-1-3) -- Wildcats rolled to a pair of 5-0 wins over Morris Hills on Tuesday and Pope John on Thursday, extending the Sussex County school's NJAC American Division win streak to 51 in a row dating to 2010. That streak ended with Monday's 1-1 tie at Sparta. Junior forward Alexis Ambrosino had a monster week -- scoring a career-high four goals on Tuesday and adding two goals and an assist on Thursday. Coach Bev Keur's team (11-0-1 division) can clinch at least a share of the division title with a win over Montville on Wednesday. Second-place Morris Knolls (9-2) has three divisional games remaining, including a trip to Wantage on Friday.
Up next: Montville at home on Wednesday; Morris Knolls at home on Friday.
8. Kittatinny (7-6-3) -- Cougars went 2-1 last week, opening with a 2-0 win over Belvidere last Monday before a 1-0 loss to No. 3 Lenape Valley on Wednesday. Coach Emily Murray's team closed it out with a 1-0 win at Newton on Friday in an NJAC Freedom Division matchup. Sophomore forward Maureen Douglas and senior forward Brianna McNeel scored the goals against Belvidere, while junior midfielder Jenn Makarevich scored the game-winner against Newton. Junior goalie Julie Pevarnik made seven saves in the shutout against the Braves -- her eighth of the season.
Up next: Jefferson at home on Tuesday; at Hackettstown on Thursday.
9. Sparta (9-6-1) -- Spartans continued their breakout season with a 1-2 week, scoring a 4-0 win over crosstown rival Pope John on Tuesday in an NJAC American Division clash. Sophomore forward Rhett Curran continued her offensive onslaught with two more goals last week, but was kept off the board for the first time in eight games in the Sussex County school's 1-0 loss at Montville on Thursday that ended Sparta's outside shot for a share of the division title. Curran scored her team-leading 13th goal in the tie with High Point. Spartans opened last week with a tough 2-1 loss at No. 3 Lenape Valley in which it had a 1-0 lead at halftime.
Up next: High Point at home on Monday; at Morris Knolls on Wednesday; at Mount Olive on Friday.
10. Vernon (7-8) -- Vikings re-enter the rankings as this spot has been nearly impossible to handicap all season. Forward Julie Hammerton scored the winning goal in a 1-0 victory over Mount Olive on Tuesday before a tough 2-1 loss to Morris Knolls on Thursday in a pair of NJAC American Division clashes. Coach Hollyce Schoepp's team is looking like it will be a No. 7 or 8 seed for the North 1, Group 3 playoffs.
Up next: Morris Hills at home on Wednesday; at Montville on Friday; Butler at home on Saturday.
On the bubble: Wallkill Valley (6-11); Delaware Valley (6-9-1); Newton (5-9-1); Belvidere (5-9-2).
But first thing's first, as Warren Hills and Hackettstown will battle on Saturday for the championship in the fifth annual Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament. The game will be played at Hackettstown, a designated site before the tournament began, despite all three previous tournament finals having been contested on neutral fields. For some reason, the bylaws, which call for a neutral site, are being ignored for this one.
Sort of the way the semifinals being held on a neutral turf field was a one-and-done idea in 2009, the first year of the tri-county tournament as Sussex County joined the party. What a first year that was, as the final between Newton and Warren Hills was never played because of scheduling conflicts with the late finish date that coincided with both schools being involved in sectional tournament games. Co-champions were declared that year. Fun times.
I've been told by many athletic directors over the years that this is a "showcase event." Well, sticking to neutral fields for the finals and having semifinals at one site -- all games on turf -- would be a start in that direction. As it stands right now, this event is not being showcased as is.
Anyway, High Point's 51-game win streak in the American Division of the Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference ended on Monday with a 1-1 tie at Sparta. The Wildcats outscored their opponents, 222-25 during that streak and haven't lost a divisional game since a 2-0 loss at Vernon on Nov. 9, 2009. So the streak continues in that regard as an unbeaten stretch.
It's further evidence as to how far Sparta's program has come in just a short time. Two seasons ago, the Spartans (9-6-1 this year) went 0-16 and scored a total of two goals. Second-year coach Kristin Savasta, after a 5-11 campaign in 2012, believes the Sussex County school is on the right track and has a feeder program in place this season for the first time.
"I'm so proud. This program has come a long way," Savasta said after Monday's tie. "To be 9-6-1 is huge for us. We want to keep improving and keep building. Hopefully, we can finish up with a winning season."
Amazingly, Sparta will likely host at least one playoff game in the North 1, Group 3 bracket. Lenape Valley, also enjoying an amazing turnaround after last year's two-win season, should be the No. 1 seed in the North 1, Group 1 draw, that also includes Kittatinny, Newton, Wallkill Valley, Belvidere and North Warren.
Now onto this week's rankings:
1. Warren Hills (14-3-1) -- Blue Streaks knocked off two longtime rivals last week with a 3-0 win over No. 4 Hunterdon Central on Tuesday and a 2-1 victory over No. 2 Voorhees on Saturday in the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex semifinals -- earning the program's eighth county finals appearance and third in the tri-county event's five-year history. Coach Laurie Kerr's team extended its win streak to 11 in a row with Monday's 4-0 win at Bernards, outscoring its opponents by a combined 39-2 margin during that stretch. Junior midfielder Nikki Profita and freshman forward Dani Profita have keyed this win streak. Nikki scored the go-ahead goal against Voorhees, while Dani scored twice against Central.
Up next: at Pingry on Thursday; at Hackettstown on Saturday in HWS championship game.
2. Voorhees (13-4) -- Vikings move up one spot after a 1-1 week -- scoring a 3-1 win over Hillsborough in a Skyland Conference crossover on Thursday before a 2-1 loss to nemesis Warren Hills on Saturday in the HWS semifinals. The Hunterdon County school still holds a 30-19-6 edge in the series, but has dropped five of the last seven meetings and has lost twice to Warren Hills in the same season for only the fifth time since the rivalry began in 1975. Sophomore Kathryn Roncoroni leads the Vikes with 27 goals -- six shy of the school's single-season record held by Colleen Boyce (33 in 2010). Third-year coach Taylor Webb's team has one regular-season game remaining before the North 1, Group 2 playoffs commence next week.
Up next: Ridge at home on Thursday.
3. Lenape Valley (12-4-1) -- Patriots vault up two spots after a 3-0 week. Coach Kate Rothman's club posted a hard-fought 2-1 win over No. 9 Sparta last Monday before a big 1-0 win over No. 8 Kittatinny on Wednesday that likely secured the No. 1 seed for the upcoming North 1, Group 1 playoffs. Junior forward Kassidy Forik leads the Pats with 14 goals and has scored in four straight games, including one in each of last week's three wins. Junior midfielder and captain Sally Olson has one goal or an assist in eight straight games and leads the team with 10 assists.
Up next: North Warren at home on Tuesday; at Wallkill Valley on Thursday.
4. Hunterdon Central (14-4) -- Red Devils went 2-2 last week, capping the slate with a 4-3 loss in overtime at home to No. 6 Hackettstown on Saturday in the HWS semifinals. Central was bidding for its first county finals appearance since 2007. Coach Jenn Sponzo's team opened with a 3-0 win over North Hunterdon in a Skyland Conference Delaware Division matchup last Monday, followed by a 3-0 loss to No. 1 Warren Hills and a 3-0 win over Watchung Hills on Thursday. Junior forward Kendall Nickel totaled two goals and an assist in the four games, while junior midfielder Ali Baligian (knee) returned to the lineup and scored in Saturday's loss.
Up next: at Hillsborough on Tuesday; at Delaware Valley on Thursday.
5. South Hunterdon (14-3) -- Eagles prevailed in a pair of shutouts last week -- 3-0 at Somerville on Tuesday and 2-0 at Delaware Valley on Thursday in Skyland Conference crossover matchups. Senior forward Kaycee Zelkovsky added four more goals to her tri-county leading total of 34, scoring three times against Somerville. Senior goalie Samantha Soscia raised her shutout total to 11. The Hunterdon County school will likely be a No. 3 or 4 seed in the North 2, Group 1 playoffs behind state powers Shore Regional and Madison.
Up next: Montgomery at home on Tuesday; Pennington at home on Monday, Oct. 28.
6. Hackettstown (11-5) -- Tigers continued their Cinderella run through the HWS tournament with a 4-3 win in overtime against No. 4 Hunterdon Central in the semifinals on Saturday. The No. 5 seed ousted top-seeded South Hunterdon the previous week on strokes in the quarterfinals. Coach Stephen Speirs' club also gave a good account in a 1-0 loss to previously-unbeaten Parsippany on Friday in an NJAC Freedom Division clash after opening last week with a 4-2 win over North Warren. Senior forward Kalie Thies continued her stellar play with three goals and an assist in the three wins, while forward Michelle Carlson racked four goals, including the game-winner against Central.
Up next: at Wallkill Valley on Tuesday; Kittatinny at home on Thursday; Warren Hills at home on Saturday in the HWS championship game.
7. High Point (13-1-3) -- Wildcats rolled to a pair of 5-0 wins over Morris Hills on Tuesday and Pope John on Thursday, extending the Sussex County school's NJAC American Division win streak to 51 in a row dating to 2010. That streak ended with Monday's 1-1 tie at Sparta. Junior forward Alexis Ambrosino had a monster week -- scoring a career-high four goals on Tuesday and adding two goals and an assist on Thursday. Coach Bev Keur's team (11-0-1 division) can clinch at least a share of the division title with a win over Montville on Wednesday. Second-place Morris Knolls (9-2) has three divisional games remaining, including a trip to Wantage on Friday.
Up next: Montville at home on Wednesday; Morris Knolls at home on Friday.
8. Kittatinny (7-6-3) -- Cougars went 2-1 last week, opening with a 2-0 win over Belvidere last Monday before a 1-0 loss to No. 3 Lenape Valley on Wednesday. Coach Emily Murray's team closed it out with a 1-0 win at Newton on Friday in an NJAC Freedom Division matchup. Sophomore forward Maureen Douglas and senior forward Brianna McNeel scored the goals against Belvidere, while junior midfielder Jenn Makarevich scored the game-winner against Newton. Junior goalie Julie Pevarnik made seven saves in the shutout against the Braves -- her eighth of the season.
Up next: Jefferson at home on Tuesday; at Hackettstown on Thursday.
9. Sparta (9-6-1) -- Spartans continued their breakout season with a 1-2 week, scoring a 4-0 win over crosstown rival Pope John on Tuesday in an NJAC American Division clash. Sophomore forward Rhett Curran continued her offensive onslaught with two more goals last week, but was kept off the board for the first time in eight games in the Sussex County school's 1-0 loss at Montville on Thursday that ended Sparta's outside shot for a share of the division title. Curran scored her team-leading 13th goal in the tie with High Point. Spartans opened last week with a tough 2-1 loss at No. 3 Lenape Valley in which it had a 1-0 lead at halftime.
Up next: High Point at home on Monday; at Morris Knolls on Wednesday; at Mount Olive on Friday.
10. Vernon (7-8) -- Vikings re-enter the rankings as this spot has been nearly impossible to handicap all season. Forward Julie Hammerton scored the winning goal in a 1-0 victory over Mount Olive on Tuesday before a tough 2-1 loss to Morris Knolls on Thursday in a pair of NJAC American Division clashes. Coach Hollyce Schoepp's team is looking like it will be a No. 7 or 8 seed for the North 1, Group 3 playoffs.
Up next: Morris Hills at home on Wednesday; at Montville on Friday; Butler at home on Saturday.
On the bubble: Wallkill Valley (6-11); Delaware Valley (6-9-1); Newton (5-9-1); Belvidere (5-9-2).
Sunday, October 20, 2013
Field hockey: Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex leaders
(Through Oct. 19)
Player
|
School
|
Goals
|
Assists
|
Points
|
Kaycee Zelkovsky
|
South Hunterdon
|
34
|
7
|
75
|
Kathryn Roncoroni
|
Voorhees
|
27
|
6
|
60
|
Alexis Ambrosino
|
High Point
|
19
|
9
|
47
|
Amber Dey
|
South Hunterdon
|
12
|
15
|
39
|
Sydney Muntone
|
Warren Hills
|
15
|
8
|
38
|
Kalie Thies
|
Hackettstown
|
12
|
11
|
35
|
Carly Satter
|
High Point
|
8
|
19
|
35
|
Sierramarie Fitzgerald
|
Hackettstown
|
10
|
11
|
31
|
Kendall Nickel
|
Hunterdon Central
|
11
|
9
|
31
|
Brittany DeLima
|
High Point
|
15
|
0
|
30
|
Nikki Profita
|
Warren Hills
|
10
|
9
|
29
|
Taylor Barrett
|
Hunterdon Central
|
10
|
8
|
28
|
Kassidy Forik
|
Lenape Valley
|
14
|
0
|
28
|
Rhett Curran
|
Sparta
|
12
|
4
|
28
|
Ashley Eick
|
South Hunterdon
|
11
|
3
|
25
|
Dani Profita
|
Warren Hills
|
10
|
5
|
25
|
Ashley Kerekgyarto
|
Voorhees
|
9
|
5
|
23
|
Casey Pustelniak
|
Wallkill Valley
|
10
|
3
|
23
|
Michelle Carlson
|
Hackettstown
|
10
|
3
|
23
|
Sarah Pulkowski
|
Hunterdon Central
|
10
|
2
|
22
|
Gretchen Bowie
|
Sparta
|
8
|
6
|
22
|
Katherine Kellenberger
|
Newton
|
8
|
5
|
21
|
Alyssa Falleni
|
Lenape Valley
|
6
|
9
|
21
|
Maddie Smith
|
High Point
|
5
|
10
|
20
|
Sally Olson
|
Lenape Valley
|
5
|
10
|
20
|
Kelly Healy
|
Hackettstown
|
8
|
3
|
19
|
Jane Higley
|
Hunterdon Central
|
8
|
3
|
19
|
Jessica Towey
|
North Warren
|
8
|
2
|
18
|
Emma Garcia
|
Voorhees
|
6
|
4
|
16
|
Brett Lelie
|
South Hunterdon
|
5
|
6
|
16
|
Erin Sassaman
|
Belvidere
|
4
|
7
|
15
|
Hannah Koch
|
Belvidere
|
6
|
3
|
15
|
Lauren Miano
|
North Warren
|
5
|
5
|
15
|
Rachel Orr
|
High Point
|
4
|
7
|
15
|
Shannon Zignoli
|
Warren Hills
|
5
|
4
|
14
|
Jessica Nissen
|
Warren Hills
|
6
|
2
|
14
|
Tori Crans
|
Voorhees
|
2
|
10
|
14
|
Melissa Bencivenga
|
Newton
|
2
|
10
|
14
|
Megan Stevens
|
North Warren
|
5
|
2
|
12
|
Nikki Schott
|
Warren Hills
|
3
|
5
|
11
|
Nicole Andes
|
Hackettstown
|
4
|
3
|
11
|
Alaina Benson
|
North Warren
|
4
|
3
|
11
|
Samantha Strathern
|
Hackettstown
|
5
|
1
|
11
|
Abby Flagler
|
Voorhees
|
4
|
3
|
11
|
Hollis Smith
|
Lenape Valley
|
3
|
5
|
11
|
Barbara Hannan
|
Wallkill Valley
|
3
|
4
|
10
|
Megan Laubach
|
Belvidere
|
5
|
0
|
10
|
Robyn Case
|
Delaware Valley
|
4
|
2
|
10
|
Kailey Dalgauer
|
Hunterdon Central
|
4
|
2
|
10
|
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