Skyland Conference
|
|||
Delaware Division
|
|||
Overall
|
Division
|
||
wxz-Bridgewater-Raritan
|
(21-3)
|
(11-1)
|
|
z-Hunterdon Central
|
(18-7)
|
(10-2)
|
|
Ridge
|
(14-9)
|
(8-4)
|
|
Pingry
|
(7-13-1)
|
(6-6)
|
|
Hillsborough
|
(7-14)
|
(4-8)
|
|
Watchung Hills
|
(3-15-2)
|
(1-10-1)
|
|
North Hunterdon
|
(2-15-1)
|
(1-10-1)
|
|
Raritan Division
|
|||
Overall
|
Division
|
||
wyz-Warren Hills
|
(22-4-1)
|
(9-1)
|
|
y-Voorhees
|
(16-5)
|
(9-1)
|
|
Montgomery
|
(12-10-1)
|
(5-5)
|
|
Delaware Valley
|
(9-10-1)
|
(4-5-1)
|
|
Phillipsburg
|
(2-13-2)
|
(1-7-2)
|
|
Somerville
|
(1-17-3)
|
(0-9-1)
|
|
Valley Division
|
|||
Overall
|
Division
|
||
y-South Hunterdon
|
(16-5)
|
(9-1)
|
|
y-Bernards
|
(17-5)
|
(9-1)
|
|
Mount Saint Mary
|
(13-8-1)
|
(5-5)
|
|
Belvidere
|
(6-10-3)
|
(4-5-1)
|
|
Franklin
|
(8-10-2)
|
(2-7-1)
|
|
North Plainfield
|
(1-15-1)
|
(0-10)
|
|
Northwest Jersey
Athletic Conference
|
|||
Freedom Division
|
|||
Overall
|
Division
|
||
x-Parsippany
|
(20-2)
|
(14-0)
|
|
Lenape Valley
|
(15-6-1)
|
(9-4-1)
|
|
Kittatinny
|
(8-8-3)
|
(7-5-2)
|
|
Hackettstown
|
(12-8)
|
(8-6)
|
|
Wallkill Valley
|
(9-12)
|
(6-8)
|
|
Newton
|
(8-13-1)
|
(4-9-1)
|
|
Jefferson
|
(3-12-2)
|
(3-9-2)
|
|
North Warren
|
(4-14-2)
|
(1-11-2)
|
|
American Division
|
|||
Overall
|
Division
|
||
x-High Point
|
(16-2-3)
|
(13-0-1)
|
|
Morris Knolls
|
(13-7-1)
|
(10-3)
|
|
Sparta
|
(11-8-1)
|
(9-4-1)
|
|
Montville
|
(9-9)
|
(8-6)
|
|
Vernon
|
(10-9)
|
(7-7)
|
|
Mount Olive
|
(6-13-1)
|
(3-10)
|
|
Morris Hills
|
(4-15)
|
(3-11)
|
|
Pope John
|
(1-17)
|
(1-13)
|
|
w-county champion
|
|||
x-division champion
|
|||
y-co-division
champions
|
|||
z-sectional champion
|
|||
Monday, November 18, 2013
Field hockey: Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex standings
(Final)
Sunday, November 17, 2013
Field hockey: Five thoughts on stellar Group 3 final
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.
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.
Saturday, November 16, 2013
Field hockey: Streaks' title hopes derailed by nemesis
TOMS RIVER -- Streaks, pardon the pun, come and go, and the one that Warren Hills' field hockey team dearly wanted to end continues for at least one more year.
Hoping to get the monkey off their backs on the eighth attempt, the Blue Streaks fought tooth-and-nail and ultimately came up short in a 1-0 loss in double overtime to nemesis Ocean City in what was a classic Group 3 final on Saturday at Toms River East High School.
Warren Hills (22-4-1) saw its program-best 19-game win streak end -- one victory shy of setting the school's single-season record -- while falling to 0-8 all-time in state championship games. For the second straight year and fifth overall, it was Ocean City (19-5) that ended the Warren County school's bid for an ever elusive title. This was the third time in the postseason series between these teams that the title was decided in overtime as the Red Raiders also won in OT in 1999 and 2009.
Junior forward Kelly Hanna ended the drama by scoring off a penalty corner with no time left on the clock to give Ocean City its ninth state championship. Hanna, who leads the team with 22 goals, took the pass after a little give-and-go from Lauren McNally near the top of the circle and slammed it into the left corner of the cage to end one of the finest games you'll ever see.
"We're 0-8 ... I don't know what it is," said an emotional Blue Streaks coach Laurie Kerr, whose teams are 0-6 in these games in her 14 seasons at the helm. "The girls played with a lot of heart and soul. They left everything out on the field."
Ocean City advances to the Tournament of Champions that begins on Monday with a play-in game at Rider University. The five Group champions (four public and one non-public) will play to an overall champion in a three-day span, culminating with the final next Friday night at The College of New Jersey.
After a slow first half, Warren Hills seized control of the game and held Ocean City to just one shot-on-goal from the second half through the first 10-minute overtime. After nearly winning it several times in the first OT -- a shot by senior midfielder Nikki Schott went off the pads of Ocean City goalie Sarita Charap with 56 seconds left on a penalty corner -- the Blue Streaks gave up two corners late in the second overtime.
On the fateful corner, Warren Hills' defense was whistled for deliberately trying to hit the ball over the goal line with about two seconds left in the period. It was a questionable call, as Kerr felt it was all in the act of trying to clear the ball out of the circle. Had the second OT ended scoreless, a winner would have been decided on a best-of-five round of penalty strokes.
That sequence of corners followed a tremendous stop on a penalty stroke by Warren Hills goalie Taylor Austin. The sophomore was outstanding in the loss, keeping her team alive by knocking down the attempt to her left by Rachael Young with 2:37 left in the period. The stroke occurred when Schott used her hand to stop a threatening shot.
"I really thought that [save on the stroke] was going to give them momentum," said fourth-year Ocean City coach Cory Terry, who had the assist on the game-winning goal in overtime that beat Warren Hills in 1999 at TCNJ and is 80-8 during her coaching career. "I'm completely overcome with excitement and pride for these girls. It was a huge battle and they found a way to persevere. It was an unbelievable finish to a game. Warren Hills is a very strong team."
Schott played perhaps the best game of her four-year career in defeat. The midfielder was a force on corners and fired three laser shots on goal in the second half, one off Charap's pads with 11:00 remaining in regulation.
Needless to say it was a tough final game for Schott and fellow senior starters Shannon Zignoli and Melanie Loth as they were attempting to end the title drought in the 49th season of Blue Streaks field hockey. Those seniors don't leave empty handed as they collected two North 2, Group 3 sectional titles, two Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex and three Skyland Conference Raritan Division championships in their careers.
"We dominated most of the game. It's hard to explain," said Schott, whose sisters, Lauren and Lindsey (who played on the '09 team and is the program's all-time leading scorer), were standout players for the Streaks. "We didn't feel any pressure, we were used to the atmosphere. We just took it as another game. There's nothing negative to look back on at all. We fought hard. I'm proud of my girls."
For the second straight year, Warren Hills' high-octane offense -- shut out for the first time since last year's title game -- couldn't find the back of the cage. Despite holding a 5-2 edge in shots-on-goal in regulation and averaging just over five goals per game in the playoffs, the shots just didn't fall, even on eight corner chances in the second half alone. In a 9-0 win over Northern Highlands in the Group 3 semifinals, the Streaks scored on eight of their 11 corners.
Junior midfielder Nikki Profita, who led the Streaks with 20 goals, and counterpart Sydney Muntone, with 19 goals, did their best with inspired play in the second half and first overtime, as most of the play flowed through their stick work and crisp passes.
"We just needed one more dodge, one more pass," said Kerr, whose team hadn't suffered a loss since dropping a 2-1 decision to Bridgewater-Raritan -- which lost 3-0 to Eastern in the Group 4 final on Saturday -- at home on Sept. 21. "Some days the ball goes in the cage and some days it doesn't go in. We had a lot of opportunities."
"It just happens," Schott said. "You face harder defenses down here."
Not to be lost was the stellar play of Austin, who had never seen a field hockey game much less played in one before Kerr made one of her finest coaching moves in the offseason.
"For a kid I [recruited] out of phys ed class in May, she wasn't bad," said Kerr a bit tongue-in-cheek. "She's been awesome. She's a tremendous athlete."
With eight starters returning, including Austin and the entire defensive backfield, Warren Hills will be an odds-on-favorite to get back here for a third straight year in 2014. Ocean City returns five starters, including Hanna and McNally.
"Next year the girls will fill our spots and I feel like they'll get it next year," Schott said.
Ocean City (19-5) 0 0 0 1 -- 1
Warren Hills (22-4-1) 0 0 0 0 -- 0
Scoring
Second overtime -- OC, Kelly Hanna, 22nd, (Lauren McNally), 0:00.
Shots -- Ocean City 5; Warren Hills 9.
Saves -- Sarita Charap 7, McNally 2 (defensive) (OC); Taylor Austin 3, Amanda Crampton 1 (defensive) (WH).
Penalty corners -- Ocean City 14; Warren Hills 13.
Hoping to get the monkey off their backs on the eighth attempt, the Blue Streaks fought tooth-and-nail and ultimately came up short in a 1-0 loss in double overtime to nemesis Ocean City in what was a classic Group 3 final on Saturday at Toms River East High School.
Warren Hills (22-4-1) saw its program-best 19-game win streak end -- one victory shy of setting the school's single-season record -- while falling to 0-8 all-time in state championship games. For the second straight year and fifth overall, it was Ocean City (19-5) that ended the Warren County school's bid for an ever elusive title. This was the third time in the postseason series between these teams that the title was decided in overtime as the Red Raiders also won in OT in 1999 and 2009.
Junior forward Kelly Hanna ended the drama by scoring off a penalty corner with no time left on the clock to give Ocean City its ninth state championship. Hanna, who leads the team with 22 goals, took the pass after a little give-and-go from Lauren McNally near the top of the circle and slammed it into the left corner of the cage to end one of the finest games you'll ever see.
"We're 0-8 ... I don't know what it is," said an emotional Blue Streaks coach Laurie Kerr, whose teams are 0-6 in these games in her 14 seasons at the helm. "The girls played with a lot of heart and soul. They left everything out on the field."
Ocean City advances to the Tournament of Champions that begins on Monday with a play-in game at Rider University. The five Group champions (four public and one non-public) will play to an overall champion in a three-day span, culminating with the final next Friday night at The College of New Jersey.
After a slow first half, Warren Hills seized control of the game and held Ocean City to just one shot-on-goal from the second half through the first 10-minute overtime. After nearly winning it several times in the first OT -- a shot by senior midfielder Nikki Schott went off the pads of Ocean City goalie Sarita Charap with 56 seconds left on a penalty corner -- the Blue Streaks gave up two corners late in the second overtime.
On the fateful corner, Warren Hills' defense was whistled for deliberately trying to hit the ball over the goal line with about two seconds left in the period. It was a questionable call, as Kerr felt it was all in the act of trying to clear the ball out of the circle. Had the second OT ended scoreless, a winner would have been decided on a best-of-five round of penalty strokes.
That sequence of corners followed a tremendous stop on a penalty stroke by Warren Hills goalie Taylor Austin. The sophomore was outstanding in the loss, keeping her team alive by knocking down the attempt to her left by Rachael Young with 2:37 left in the period. The stroke occurred when Schott used her hand to stop a threatening shot.
"I really thought that [save on the stroke] was going to give them momentum," said fourth-year Ocean City coach Cory Terry, who had the assist on the game-winning goal in overtime that beat Warren Hills in 1999 at TCNJ and is 80-8 during her coaching career. "I'm completely overcome with excitement and pride for these girls. It was a huge battle and they found a way to persevere. It was an unbelievable finish to a game. Warren Hills is a very strong team."
Schott played perhaps the best game of her four-year career in defeat. The midfielder was a force on corners and fired three laser shots on goal in the second half, one off Charap's pads with 11:00 remaining in regulation.
Needless to say it was a tough final game for Schott and fellow senior starters Shannon Zignoli and Melanie Loth as they were attempting to end the title drought in the 49th season of Blue Streaks field hockey. Those seniors don't leave empty handed as they collected two North 2, Group 3 sectional titles, two Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex and three Skyland Conference Raritan Division championships in their careers.
"We dominated most of the game. It's hard to explain," said Schott, whose sisters, Lauren and Lindsey (who played on the '09 team and is the program's all-time leading scorer), were standout players for the Streaks. "We didn't feel any pressure, we were used to the atmosphere. We just took it as another game. There's nothing negative to look back on at all. We fought hard. I'm proud of my girls."
For the second straight year, Warren Hills' high-octane offense -- shut out for the first time since last year's title game -- couldn't find the back of the cage. Despite holding a 5-2 edge in shots-on-goal in regulation and averaging just over five goals per game in the playoffs, the shots just didn't fall, even on eight corner chances in the second half alone. In a 9-0 win over Northern Highlands in the Group 3 semifinals, the Streaks scored on eight of their 11 corners.
Junior midfielder Nikki Profita, who led the Streaks with 20 goals, and counterpart Sydney Muntone, with 19 goals, did their best with inspired play in the second half and first overtime, as most of the play flowed through their stick work and crisp passes.
"We just needed one more dodge, one more pass," said Kerr, whose team hadn't suffered a loss since dropping a 2-1 decision to Bridgewater-Raritan -- which lost 3-0 to Eastern in the Group 4 final on Saturday -- at home on Sept. 21. "Some days the ball goes in the cage and some days it doesn't go in. We had a lot of opportunities."
"It just happens," Schott said. "You face harder defenses down here."
Not to be lost was the stellar play of Austin, who had never seen a field hockey game much less played in one before Kerr made one of her finest coaching moves in the offseason.
"For a kid I [recruited] out of phys ed class in May, she wasn't bad," said Kerr a bit tongue-in-cheek. "She's been awesome. She's a tremendous athlete."
With eight starters returning, including Austin and the entire defensive backfield, Warren Hills will be an odds-on-favorite to get back here for a third straight year in 2014. Ocean City returns five starters, including Hanna and McNally.
"Next year the girls will fill our spots and I feel like they'll get it next year," Schott said.
Ocean City (19-5) 0 0 0 1 -- 1
Warren Hills (22-4-1) 0 0 0 0 -- 0
Scoring
Second overtime -- OC, Kelly Hanna, 22nd, (Lauren McNally), 0:00.
Shots -- Ocean City 5; Warren Hills 9.
Saves -- Sarita Charap 7, McNally 2 (defensive) (OC); Taylor Austin 3, Amanda Crampton 1 (defensive) (WH).
Penalty corners -- Ocean City 14; Warren Hills 13.
Friday, November 15, 2013
Field hockey: Streaks primed to end state title drought
It's a familiar scene for Warren Hills' field hockey program -- one that it hopes has a very different ending.
For the eighth time in their history, the Blue Streaks head south with the goal of bringing home an elusive state championship as they take on nemesis Ocean City at noon on Saturday in the Group 3 final at Toms River East High School.
The contest is the second of five championship games. Another Skyland Conference member, Bridgewater-Raritan, meets state power Eastern for the ninth straight year in the Group 4 final at 2 p.m. West Essex faces Wall Township in the Group 2 final at 10 a.m.; Shore Regional battles Collingswood in the Group 1 final at 4 p.m., and Oak Knoll squares off against St. Joseph-Hammonton in the first Non-Public final at 6 p.m., a rematch of last year's Group 1 final.
"This team is really composed," said veteran coach Laurie Kerr, whose teams are 0-5 all-time in state finals during her 14 seasons at Warren Hills. "The pressure is on for them, the community and everyone that has supported them. We just need to get the monkey off our backs."
For the eighth time in their history, the Blue Streaks head south with the goal of bringing home an elusive state championship as they take on nemesis Ocean City at noon on Saturday in the Group 3 final at Toms River East High School.
The contest is the second of five championship games. Another Skyland Conference member, Bridgewater-Raritan, meets state power Eastern for the ninth straight year in the Group 4 final at 2 p.m. West Essex faces Wall Township in the Group 2 final at 10 a.m.; Shore Regional battles Collingswood in the Group 1 final at 4 p.m., and Oak Knoll squares off against St. Joseph-Hammonton in the first Non-Public final at 6 p.m., a rematch of last year's Group 1 final.
"This team is really composed," said veteran coach Laurie Kerr, whose teams are 0-5 all-time in state finals during her 14 seasons at Warren Hills. "The pressure is on for them, the community and everyone that has supported them. We just need to get the monkey off our backs."
Warren Hills (22-3-1) has never been on this kind of roll entering a state final. The Streaks are riding a program-record 19-game win streak -- outscoring opponents 75-5 during the stretch -- following a 9-0 pounding of Northern Highlands in Thursday's Group 3 semifinal at Boonton High School. One more will give the Warren County school a single-season record for victories and the first state team title in any female sport.
Warren Hills' eighth appearance in a state final is the most among Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex schools, surpassing Belvidere's total of seven in Group 1. The County Seaters won titles in 1989 and '90, in addition to appearances in '82, '88, '91, '92 and '96. No team from the tri-county area has won a championship since Hunterdon Central (six finals appearances) claimed the last of its three titles in 1996.
Standing in the way, as in four previous years, is an Ocean City (18-5) team that's been here and done that eight times in its fine history, including a 2-0 win over Warren Hills in last year's Group 3 final at The College of New Jersey. The Red Raiders also denied the Streaks' title bids in 1999, 2001 and '09. OC's other championships came against High Point (1997 and 2002), Mount Olive (1998) and Ridge (2005). Only Moorestown (16), Eastern (16), West Essex (15), Shore Regional (12) and Shawnee (11) have won more titles than Ocean City.
The '99 and '09 games both ended with losses in overtime. All of the previous meetings were at TCNJ, except the '09 game, where Colleen Slaughter converted a penalty stroke for the 2-1 win in Toms River. Outstanding Blue Streaks forward Toni Popinko, now playing at the University of Delaware, was called for a high-stick infraction while attempting to make a goal-line save for the foul that caused the stroke. The Streaks also lost 2-1 in former coach Luanne Ferenci's final game in '99.
This title rematch is certainly not unexpected, as both teams return a wealth of talent from a year ago. But Warren Hills had a huge question mark at the critical goalie position this offseason. In fact, Kerr was a nervous wreck with no in-house options until recruiting sophomore Taylor Austin to fill the void.
After a bit of a slow start, Austin has been a rock in the cage, helping the defense earn a program-best 19 shutouts.
"She had never seen a field hockey game," Kerr said. "[After talking with here in the offseason] I thought she could handle the pressure. She's come up with a lot of key saves."
Junior backs Amanda Crampton and Allie Brouhard and Amanda Oberly, along with sophomore Rachel Phillips, have been stalwarts this season in the back end.
Offensively, junior forwards Sydney Muntone (19 goals, 17 assists) and Jessica Nissen (13 goals), along with super freshman Dani Profita (15 goals), senior forward Shannon Zignoli (7 goals) and sophomore Katie Thompson (3 goals), lead a well-balanced attack. The midfield is strong with junior Nikki Profita (20 goals, 13 assists) and senior Nikki Schott (9 goals, 9 assists), a four-year starter, along with senior Melanie Loth.
Muntone, who is one assist shy of matching Lauren Cuff (18 in 2002) for the second-most in a season, needs one goal to join Nikki Profita and five other Blue Streaks to amass 20 goals in a season. With 48 career goals, Muntone currently is tied with Lori Toole (48 in 1979) for fourth place on the Streaks' all-time list. Only Lindsey Schott (72 from 2008-11), Niki Miller (61 from 2009-12) and Megan Springmeyer (54 from 2004-07) have more career goals. Nikki Profita is sixth on the list with 44.
Nikki Schott is third on the school's all-time assists list with 40, behind only her sister, Lindsey (46) and Miller (57).
Muntone, who is one assist shy of matching Lauren Cuff (18 in 2002) for the second-most in a season, needs one goal to join Nikki Profita and five other Blue Streaks to amass 20 goals in a season. With 48 career goals, Muntone currently is tied with Lori Toole (48 in 1979) for fourth place on the Streaks' all-time list. Only Lindsey Schott (72 from 2008-11), Niki Miller (61 from 2009-12) and Megan Springmeyer (54 from 2004-07) have more career goals. Nikki Profita is sixth on the list with 44.
Nikki Schott is third on the school's all-time assists list with 40, behind only her sister, Lindsey (46) and Miller (57).
"We have a lot of kids that have played in big games before with [offseason] club and indoor tournaments," Kerr said. "Only Dani, Amanda, Taylor and Katie Thompson didn't play in last year's [Group 3 final]."
In last year's contest, the teams battled to a scoreless tie in the first half before Ocean City broke through midway through the second half on goals by Lauren McNally and Jordan Allegretto. McNally, a junior back/midfielder, is among seven returning starters and one of the offensive leaders with 14 goals and 16 assists. Allegretto, a freshman on last year's title team, has eight goals and 12 assists.
Senior forward Leah Davies and junior forward Kelly Hanna lead the Red Raiders with 21 goals apiece.
Defensively, Ocean City had 13 shutouts, including three in a row in the postseason. The Red Raiders advanced to the title game with a 1-0 win over Allentown in Thursday's semifinals.
Last year's loss was the first decided by more than one goal. The Blue Streaks also lost to West Deptford (2-1 in 1997), Cumberland (1-0 in 2000) and Moorestown (2-1 in OT in 2003) in finals at TCNJ's Lions Stadium.
Bridgewater (21-2), which recently claimed its ninth sectional title (consecutively since 2005) and handed Warren Hills its last defeat, 2-1 on Sept. 21, has lost the last seven Group 4 finals to Eastern (23-0-1). The South Jersey school has won 15 straight sectional titles and a state record 14 straight Group 4 titles since 1999 under coach Danyle Heilig (373-10-9 in 15 seasons). A win on Saturday would give the Vikings the most state titles in New Jersey history. Junior forward Austyn Cuneo holds national records for season (87 in 2013) and career (224) goals.
Prediction: Warren Hills 3, Ocean City 1.
Prediction: Warren Hills 3, Ocean City 1.
Thursday, November 14, 2013
Field hockey: Group finals schedule
Saturday, Nov. 16
(At Toms River East)
Group 2
West Essex vs. Wall, 10 a.m.
Group 3
Warren Hills vs. Ocean City, noon
Group 4
Bridgewater-Raritan vs. Eastern, 2 p.m.
Group 1
Shore Regional vs. Collingswood, 4 p.m.
Non-Public
Oak Knoll vs. St. Joseph-Hammonton, 6 p.m.
(At Toms River East)
Group 2
West Essex vs. Wall, 10 a.m.
Group 3
Warren Hills vs. Ocean City, noon
Group 4
Bridgewater-Raritan vs. Eastern, 2 p.m.
Group 1
Shore Regional vs. Collingswood, 4 p.m.
Non-Public
Oak Knoll vs. St. Joseph-Hammonton, 6 p.m.
Field hockey: Streaks earn title shot with blowout win
It's the perfect time for a field hockey team to be clicking and Warren Hills hopes the program's finest hour ends with what's been an elusive state championship.
The Blue Streaks are one victory away following a 9-0 dismantling of Northern Highlands in a Group 3 semifinal on Thursday at Boonton High School. Warren Hills (22-3-1), which extended its program record win streak to 19, will face nemesis Ocean City (19-5) -- a 1-0 winner over Allentown in the other semifinal -- for the state title at noon on Saturday at Toms River East High School.
The Skyland Conference will have two representatives in Saturday's finals as Bridgewater-Raritan advanced to its ninth straight Group 4 final with a 4-2 win over Hunterdon Central in the nightcap at Boonton. The Panthers (21-2), who lost to state power Eastern in the previous eight finals, are the last team to beat Warren Hills -- 2-1 on Sept. 21 in Washington.
Warren Hills, which is 0-7 all-time in state finals, matched the 2011 and '12 teams for most wins in a season. The Streaks would love one more to own that record and end its drought in title games. Veteran coach Laurie Kerr's teams were the Group 3 runner-up in 2000, '01, '03, '09 and '12. Last year, Ocean City beat Warren Hills for the fourth time with a 2-0 victory at The College of New Jersey.
"We've never won 23 games in a season and we've never won 20 in a row," said Kerr, who is 241-66-12 overall in 14 seasons, including a 33-13 mark in postseason games and 6-1 in state semifinals. "We'd love to get 23 and 20 in a row. The kids are so composed. This was just another day at the office."
Junior back Amanda Crampton led the offensive onslaught with three goals against Northern Highlands (21-2), which had its 19-game win streak snapped with the loss. Coach Rich Smith's Highlanders reached the semifinals for the first time since 1993 by claiming its seventh North 1 sectional title.
"Amanda is my brick wall on defense and she had a hat trick," said Kerr, who emptied the bench in the final minutes.
The Blue Streaks scored on eight of their 11 penalty corners, including the first four goals of the game. Crampton's first goal -- a direct shot -- off a feed from junior forward Sydney Muntone capped the first-half scoring with 15:25 left before the break. Junior midfielder Nikki Profita, senior midfielder Nikki Schott and Muntone also had first-half goals.
"We had a few days of practice where it was so darn cold out, and we've been working on corners," Kerr said.
Muntone continued her stellar play in the postseason with a pair of goals to go with two assists. The Temple recruit has seven assists overall in four playoff wins. Profita added one goal and one assist for the third straight game, becoming just the seventh player in program history to record 20 goals in a season -- joining Lindsey Schott (27 in 2011), Kate Alleger (26 in 1996), Niki Miller (25 in 2012, 22 in 2011), Megan Springmeyer (23 in 2007), Lori Toole (23 in 1979) and Gail Petteruti (21 in 1984).
Muntone matched Toole for fourth place on the all-time goals list with 48 career, while Profita is next on the list with 44. Lindsey Schott leads with 72 from 2008-11, followed by Miller (61 from 2009-12) and Springmeyer (54 from 2004-07).
Schott notched her third goal and assist in the playoffs, while sophomore goalie Taylor Austin recorded her third straight shutout as the Streaks' stout defense earned its 19th of the season, also a program record.
"Nikki Schott has really stepped it up," Kerr said of the four-year starter. "She knows this is the end [of her career]."
Now, a fifth meeting in the Group 3 final with Ocean City awaits a very talented Warren Hills team.
"They are confident and composed," Kerr said of her Streaks. "The pressure on for them and the entire community, and everyone that has supported the program. We just have to get that monkey off our backs."
Northern Highlands (21-2) 0 0 -- 0
Warren Hills (22-3-1) 4 5 -- 9
Scoring
First half -- WH, Nikki Profita, 20th, (Dani Profita), 21:19; WH, Nikki Schott, 9th, (Allie Brouhard), 20:08; WH, Sydney Muntone, 18th, (Brouhard), 17:31; WH, Amanda Crampton, 3rd, (Muntone), 15:25.
Second half -- WH, Muntone, 19th, 28:11; WH, Crampton, 4th, (Muntone), 21:30; WH, Jessica Nissen, 13th, (Schott), 13:00; WH, Crampton, 5th, (N. Profita), 4:47; WH, Katie Thompson, 3rd, (Lexie Meyerhofer), 2:15.
Shots -- Northern Highlands 0; Warren Hills 26.
Saves -- Alexa Markel 17 (NH); Taylor Austin 0 (WH).
Penalty corners -- Northern Highlands 2; Warren Hills 11.
The Blue Streaks are one victory away following a 9-0 dismantling of Northern Highlands in a Group 3 semifinal on Thursday at Boonton High School. Warren Hills (22-3-1), which extended its program record win streak to 19, will face nemesis Ocean City (19-5) -- a 1-0 winner over Allentown in the other semifinal -- for the state title at noon on Saturday at Toms River East High School.
The Skyland Conference will have two representatives in Saturday's finals as Bridgewater-Raritan advanced to its ninth straight Group 4 final with a 4-2 win over Hunterdon Central in the nightcap at Boonton. The Panthers (21-2), who lost to state power Eastern in the previous eight finals, are the last team to beat Warren Hills -- 2-1 on Sept. 21 in Washington.
Warren Hills, which is 0-7 all-time in state finals, matched the 2011 and '12 teams for most wins in a season. The Streaks would love one more to own that record and end its drought in title games. Veteran coach Laurie Kerr's teams were the Group 3 runner-up in 2000, '01, '03, '09 and '12. Last year, Ocean City beat Warren Hills for the fourth time with a 2-0 victory at The College of New Jersey.
"We've never won 23 games in a season and we've never won 20 in a row," said Kerr, who is 241-66-12 overall in 14 seasons, including a 33-13 mark in postseason games and 6-1 in state semifinals. "We'd love to get 23 and 20 in a row. The kids are so composed. This was just another day at the office."
Junior back Amanda Crampton led the offensive onslaught with three goals against Northern Highlands (21-2), which had its 19-game win streak snapped with the loss. Coach Rich Smith's Highlanders reached the semifinals for the first time since 1993 by claiming its seventh North 1 sectional title.
"Amanda is my brick wall on defense and she had a hat trick," said Kerr, who emptied the bench in the final minutes.
The Blue Streaks scored on eight of their 11 penalty corners, including the first four goals of the game. Crampton's first goal -- a direct shot -- off a feed from junior forward Sydney Muntone capped the first-half scoring with 15:25 left before the break. Junior midfielder Nikki Profita, senior midfielder Nikki Schott and Muntone also had first-half goals.
"We had a few days of practice where it was so darn cold out, and we've been working on corners," Kerr said.
Muntone continued her stellar play in the postseason with a pair of goals to go with two assists. The Temple recruit has seven assists overall in four playoff wins. Profita added one goal and one assist for the third straight game, becoming just the seventh player in program history to record 20 goals in a season -- joining Lindsey Schott (27 in 2011), Kate Alleger (26 in 1996), Niki Miller (25 in 2012, 22 in 2011), Megan Springmeyer (23 in 2007), Lori Toole (23 in 1979) and Gail Petteruti (21 in 1984).
Muntone matched Toole for fourth place on the all-time goals list with 48 career, while Profita is next on the list with 44. Lindsey Schott leads with 72 from 2008-11, followed by Miller (61 from 2009-12) and Springmeyer (54 from 2004-07).
Schott notched her third goal and assist in the playoffs, while sophomore goalie Taylor Austin recorded her third straight shutout as the Streaks' stout defense earned its 19th of the season, also a program record.
"Nikki Schott has really stepped it up," Kerr said of the four-year starter. "She knows this is the end [of her career]."
Now, a fifth meeting in the Group 3 final with Ocean City awaits a very talented Warren Hills team.
"They are confident and composed," Kerr said of her Streaks. "The pressure on for them and the entire community, and everyone that has supported the program. We just have to get that monkey off our backs."
Northern Highlands (21-2) 0 0 -- 0
Warren Hills (22-3-1) 4 5 -- 9
Scoring
First half -- WH, Nikki Profita, 20th, (Dani Profita), 21:19; WH, Nikki Schott, 9th, (Allie Brouhard), 20:08; WH, Sydney Muntone, 18th, (Brouhard), 17:31; WH, Amanda Crampton, 3rd, (Muntone), 15:25.
Second half -- WH, Muntone, 19th, 28:11; WH, Crampton, 4th, (Muntone), 21:30; WH, Jessica Nissen, 13th, (Schott), 13:00; WH, Crampton, 5th, (N. Profita), 4:47; WH, Katie Thompson, 3rd, (Lexie Meyerhofer), 2:15.
Shots -- Northern Highlands 0; Warren Hills 26.
Saves -- Alexa Markel 17 (NH); Taylor Austin 0 (WH).
Penalty corners -- Northern Highlands 2; Warren Hills 11.
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
Field hockey: Streaks, Red Devils ready for next step
It may be lonely at the top, but Hunterdon Central and Warren Hills are quite the twosome these days in the tri-county area.
As the only local field hockey teams still standing, the Red Devils and Blue Streaks, fresh off sectional championships, continue their runs to a Group championship on Thursday in a state semifinal doubleheader at Boonton High School.
Warren Hills, which won the North 2, Group 3 title on Monday, will take on North 1 champion Northern Highlands in a Group 3 semifinal at 4 p.m. In the nightcap, North 2 champion Hunterdon Central will battle North 1 winner Bridgewater-Raritan in a Group 4 semifinal at 6 p.m.
Thursday's winners advance to the Group finals on Saturday at Toms River East. The Group 3 title game is at noon and Group 4 final is set for 2 p.m.
The Blue Streaks (21-3-1), winners of 18 in a row, are set to face another red-hot club in Northern Highlands, which has won 19 straight, including its first sectional title since 1993 and the program's seventh overall. Coach Laurie Kerr's Streaks are seeking the Warren County school's first state title after coming up short in seven championship games since its first finals appearance in 1996.
But first thing's first for Warren Hills, which defeated Northern Highlands pretty handily in an abbreviated preseason scrimmage, not that it means much at this time of year. Also of note, this is just the second meeting between the schools since the Streaks' 2-1 win at Northern Highlands in the second round of the 1974 sectional playoffs.
"The tradition is here and we've always had kids that love sports at Warren Hills," said Kerr, when asked why the field hockey program has far exceeded any other at the school with 12 sectional titles. "When you put on that Warren Hills jersey it means something. The kids are pumped up and real excited."
Junior midfielder Nikki Profita (19 goals, 12 assists) and junior forward Sydney Muntone (17 goals, 16 assists) lead a well-balanced offensive attack. Freshman star Dani Profita holds the school's single-season record for goals by a ninth-grader with 15, while junior forward Jessica Nissen has 11 goals. Senior midfielder Nikki Schott, a four-year starter, also has come up big of late with two goals and two assists in the Streaks' three sectional playoff games.
Defensively, backs Amanda Crampton and Rachel Phillips have been locking down opposing scorers all season, while sophomore goalie Taylor Austin has really come along during the season. Austin made a huge save early on in Monday's 3-0 win over Ocean Township to set the tone in the sectional final.
Northern Highlands (21-1), which posted a 1-0 win over West Milford in the North 1 title game, is making a major leap up in competition for this one. Coach Rich Smith's Highlanders have been rolling since a 1-0 loss at Wayne Valley on Sept. 18. Senior forward Lauren O'Keefe (16 goals, 11 assists) and Jordan Patton (17 goals, 12 assists) pace the offense.
Hunterdon Central, which won its only Group 4 titles in 1993, '94 and '96, enters its third meeting with Bridgewater this season with a bit of a chip on its collective shoudlers. The Red Devils felt slighted by published comments deeming their 2-1 win "lucky" over the Panthers on Sept. 10, which snapped a 13-game losing skid in the series since a 1-0 victory in 2007 exactly six years to the day.
"We need to do the little things well, keep our passing game going," said veteran Central coach Jenn Sponzo, whose teams finished as the Group 4 runner-up to Eastern from 2001-04. "The girls have a kind of bring it on attitude [after losing the second meeting with Bridgewater this season]."
Bridgewater (20-2), which won its ninth straight sectional title and has losses to Eastern in the last eight Group 4 title games, won the rematch at Hunterdon Central, 3-2 in overtime on Oct. 3. Coach Kathie DeBonis' teams are 285-105-8 in her 19 seasons, including a 15-8-2 mark vs. Central in Sponzo's 15 seasons with the Red Devils. The Somerset County school is 5-2 in playoff meetings -- including wins in last year's North 2, Group 4 semis (4-0) and the 2011 Group 4 semifinals (4-1 at Governor Livingston) during Sponzo's tenure.
"[Bridgewater] said it was a lucky win [on Sept. 10] and we really want to show them we are just as good of a team," said Central junior forward Kendall Nickel, who has scored three postseason goals, including the game-winner in Tuesday's 1-0 sectional final win over Montgomery.
Nickel (15 goals), along with junior forward Taylor Barrett (15 goals) and senior forward Sarah Pulkowski (13 goals) comprise a potent offensive attack. Senior Ally Baligian, now healthy after missing a few games earlier this season with a knee injury, is a rock at the center midfield spot. A 3-0 loss at Warren Hills on Oct. 15, without Baligian in the lineup, began a rough patch for Central, which lost four of six games prior to the start of the playoffs.
The Red Devils' last postseason win over the Panthers was 2-1 in the North 2, Group 4 semifinals in 2004.
Bridgewater features a pair of 20-goal scorers in forward Emily Miller (23) and back Samantha Giordano (20). Miller also leads the Panthers with 23 assists, including one on the game-winner in Tuesday's 5-4 win in overtime against Montclair in the North 1 final. Midfielder Lindsay Alvarez (15) and forward Kelly Watson (12) also bear watching up front.
As the only local field hockey teams still standing, the Red Devils and Blue Streaks, fresh off sectional championships, continue their runs to a Group championship on Thursday in a state semifinal doubleheader at Boonton High School.
Warren Hills, which won the North 2, Group 3 title on Monday, will take on North 1 champion Northern Highlands in a Group 3 semifinal at 4 p.m. In the nightcap, North 2 champion Hunterdon Central will battle North 1 winner Bridgewater-Raritan in a Group 4 semifinal at 6 p.m.
Thursday's winners advance to the Group finals on Saturday at Toms River East. The Group 3 title game is at noon and Group 4 final is set for 2 p.m.
The Blue Streaks (21-3-1), winners of 18 in a row, are set to face another red-hot club in Northern Highlands, which has won 19 straight, including its first sectional title since 1993 and the program's seventh overall. Coach Laurie Kerr's Streaks are seeking the Warren County school's first state title after coming up short in seven championship games since its first finals appearance in 1996.
But first thing's first for Warren Hills, which defeated Northern Highlands pretty handily in an abbreviated preseason scrimmage, not that it means much at this time of year. Also of note, this is just the second meeting between the schools since the Streaks' 2-1 win at Northern Highlands in the second round of the 1974 sectional playoffs.
"The tradition is here and we've always had kids that love sports at Warren Hills," said Kerr, when asked why the field hockey program has far exceeded any other at the school with 12 sectional titles. "When you put on that Warren Hills jersey it means something. The kids are pumped up and real excited."
Junior midfielder Nikki Profita (19 goals, 12 assists) and junior forward Sydney Muntone (17 goals, 16 assists) lead a well-balanced offensive attack. Freshman star Dani Profita holds the school's single-season record for goals by a ninth-grader with 15, while junior forward Jessica Nissen has 11 goals. Senior midfielder Nikki Schott, a four-year starter, also has come up big of late with two goals and two assists in the Streaks' three sectional playoff games.
Defensively, backs Amanda Crampton and Rachel Phillips have been locking down opposing scorers all season, while sophomore goalie Taylor Austin has really come along during the season. Austin made a huge save early on in Monday's 3-0 win over Ocean Township to set the tone in the sectional final.
Northern Highlands (21-1), which posted a 1-0 win over West Milford in the North 1 title game, is making a major leap up in competition for this one. Coach Rich Smith's Highlanders have been rolling since a 1-0 loss at Wayne Valley on Sept. 18. Senior forward Lauren O'Keefe (16 goals, 11 assists) and Jordan Patton (17 goals, 12 assists) pace the offense.
Central seeking redemption
Hunterdon Central, which won its only Group 4 titles in 1993, '94 and '96, enters its third meeting with Bridgewater this season with a bit of a chip on its collective shoudlers. The Red Devils felt slighted by published comments deeming their 2-1 win "lucky" over the Panthers on Sept. 10, which snapped a 13-game losing skid in the series since a 1-0 victory in 2007 exactly six years to the day.
"We need to do the little things well, keep our passing game going," said veteran Central coach Jenn Sponzo, whose teams finished as the Group 4 runner-up to Eastern from 2001-04. "The girls have a kind of bring it on attitude [after losing the second meeting with Bridgewater this season]."
Bridgewater (20-2), which won its ninth straight sectional title and has losses to Eastern in the last eight Group 4 title games, won the rematch at Hunterdon Central, 3-2 in overtime on Oct. 3. Coach Kathie DeBonis' teams are 285-105-8 in her 19 seasons, including a 15-8-2 mark vs. Central in Sponzo's 15 seasons with the Red Devils. The Somerset County school is 5-2 in playoff meetings -- including wins in last year's North 2, Group 4 semis (4-0) and the 2011 Group 4 semifinals (4-1 at Governor Livingston) during Sponzo's tenure.
"[Bridgewater] said it was a lucky win [on Sept. 10] and we really want to show them we are just as good of a team," said Central junior forward Kendall Nickel, who has scored three postseason goals, including the game-winner in Tuesday's 1-0 sectional final win over Montgomery.
Nickel (15 goals), along with junior forward Taylor Barrett (15 goals) and senior forward Sarah Pulkowski (13 goals) comprise a potent offensive attack. Senior Ally Baligian, now healthy after missing a few games earlier this season with a knee injury, is a rock at the center midfield spot. A 3-0 loss at Warren Hills on Oct. 15, without Baligian in the lineup, began a rough patch for Central, which lost four of six games prior to the start of the playoffs.
The Red Devils' last postseason win over the Panthers was 2-1 in the North 2, Group 4 semifinals in 2004.
Bridgewater features a pair of 20-goal scorers in forward Emily Miller (23) and back Samantha Giordano (20). Miller also leads the Panthers with 23 assists, including one on the game-winner in Tuesday's 5-4 win in overtime against Montclair in the North 1 final. Midfielder Lindsay Alvarez (15) and forward Kelly Watson (12) also bear watching up front.
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