Forwards Katie Decker and Lauren Nunes led a second-half charge with goals, but Phillipsburg's field hockey team didn't have enough to complete what would have been a tremendous comeback.
Jillian Alonzo scored twice and Jessie Kent-Cutillo added another score as second-seeded Montclair held on for a 3-2 win over sixth-seeded Phillipsburg on Friday in a North 1, Group 4 semifinal clash on the turf at Watchung Elementary school in Montclair.
Alonzo, the team's leading scorer with 17 goals, knocked in the decisive goal with 4:47 left in the game. Montclair (10-6-4) will meet top-seeded Bridgewater-Raritan (19-3), winner of six straight titles and an 8-0 winner over Randolph in the other semifinal, for the championship on Monday.
Phillipsburg (10-11), which had won four straight coming in, saw its season end with the loss after a tremendous postseason run in which the Warren County school knocked off No. 11 North Hunterdon (3-1 on Oct. 26) and Westfield (2-1 on Monday) to reach the semifinals.
First-year coach Jennifer Paulus' team fell behind, 2-0, in the first half before storming back with a pair of goals in the first 12 minutes of the second half.
Decker, a junior who was outstanding down the stretch, knocked in her ninth of the season with 26:18 remaining. Nunes, last year's leading scorer, evened the game just eight minutes later with her ninth goal of the season. Senior midfielder Cassie Fortuna assisted on both scores.
Phillipsburg's offense totaled 13 goals in its final five games. Decker helped lead the way with five goals in that stretch.
The 2010 Stateliners were denied a chance to play Montclair in last year's title game after being declared ineligible for playing too many games following an 8-1 win over Vernon in the semifinals. Phillipsburg is now 1-3 against Montclair in postseason meeting dating to 2005.
Coach Mary Pat Mercuro's Huskies are seeking the Essex County school's second straight sectional title and 10th overall.
Phillipsburg (10-11) 0 2 -- 2
Montclair (10-6-4) 2 1 -- 3
Scoring
First half -- M, Jessie Kent-Cutillo, 6th; M, Jillian Alonzo, 16th.
Second half -- P, Katie Decker, 9th, (Cassie Fortuna), 26:18; P, Lauren Nunes, 9th, (Fortuna), 18:40; M, Alonzo, 17th, (Cara Riordan), 4:47.
Shots -- Phillipsburg 6; Montclair 9.
Saves -- Brittany Lavin 6 (P); Katie Cantine 4 (M).
Friday, November 4, 2011
Thursday, November 3, 2011
NJSIAA: Wildcats claw their way to semifinal round
Senior forwards Nikki Hull and Brittany Papa connected for goals to help top-seeded High Point cruise to a 3-0 victory over eighth-seeded Montville on Thursday in the North 1, Group 3 sectional quarterfinals in Wantage.
The Wildcats (19-1), seeking the program's sixth sectional title and first since 2002, will host No. 4 Northern Highlands (15-4-2) in Saturday's semifinals. Northern Highlands advanced with a 4-3 win over No. 5 Vernon on Wednesday. High Point defeated Vernon twice this season, 6-1 on Sept. 21 and 2-1 on Oct. 25. The 'Cats also beat Montville (10-8), 2-0, in a Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference clash on Sept. 19.
No. 2 seed West Milford (18-1) will host No. 3 Wayne Hills (16-4-1) in the other semifinal on Saturday. The championship game is slated for Tuesday. It will be the third meeting between the two Passaic County schools, as West Milford won the first two, including a 3-1 decision in the county final on Oct. 22.
High Point has now won four straight since a 3-1 loss to Warren Hills in the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex final on Oct. 22. Coach Bev Keur's 'Cats have outscored their opponents 26-8 in their last seven contests. Keur also picked up career win No. 310.
Hull continued her pursuit of the Sussex County school's career points record, currently held by Lesley Dube (112 from 1994-97 with 50 goals and 12 assists). Hull now has 18 goals and 13 assists this season, putting her career totals at 39 goals and 30 assists for 108 points. Teammate Darby Smith, a junior who didn't score a goal or have an assist on Thursday, has 107 points.
Papa recorded her 14th goal of the season, giving High Point an early 1-0 lead. Hull connected two minutes later off a feed from senior midfielder Sarah Clark, who capped the scoring with 16:30 left in the game. Goalie Kelsey Stoll made it stand with eight saves for her ninth shutout.
The Wildcats (19-1), seeking the program's sixth sectional title and first since 2002, will host No. 4 Northern Highlands (15-4-2) in Saturday's semifinals. Northern Highlands advanced with a 4-3 win over No. 5 Vernon on Wednesday. High Point defeated Vernon twice this season, 6-1 on Sept. 21 and 2-1 on Oct. 25. The 'Cats also beat Montville (10-8), 2-0, in a Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference clash on Sept. 19.
No. 2 seed West Milford (18-1) will host No. 3 Wayne Hills (16-4-1) in the other semifinal on Saturday. The championship game is slated for Tuesday. It will be the third meeting between the two Passaic County schools, as West Milford won the first two, including a 3-1 decision in the county final on Oct. 22.
High Point has now won four straight since a 3-1 loss to Warren Hills in the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex final on Oct. 22. Coach Bev Keur's 'Cats have outscored their opponents 26-8 in their last seven contests. Keur also picked up career win No. 310.
Hull continued her pursuit of the Sussex County school's career points record, currently held by Lesley Dube (112 from 1994-97 with 50 goals and 12 assists). Hull now has 18 goals and 13 assists this season, putting her career totals at 39 goals and 30 assists for 108 points. Teammate Darby Smith, a junior who didn't score a goal or have an assist on Thursday, has 107 points.
Papa recorded her 14th goal of the season, giving High Point an early 1-0 lead. Hull connected two minutes later off a feed from senior midfielder Sarah Clark, who capped the scoring with 16:30 left in the game. Goalie Kelsey Stoll made it stand with eight saves for her ninth shutout.
Schott continues record run as Streaks keep rolling
Lindsey Schott keeps adding to her record collection as Warren Hills' field hockey team piles up victories.
The senior forward registered a pair of goals to establish a new single-season record as the third-seeded Blue Streaks rolled to a 6-0 victory over No. 11 Ocean Township on Thursday in a North 2, Group 3 quarterfinal contest on the turf in Washington.
Schott notched her 26th and 27th goals of the season to esclipse the previous mark of 26 set by Kate Alleger in 1996. Junior forward Niki Miller and senior forward Kayla Grater also scored a pair of goals for the Blue Streaks, who are seeking the program's 10th sectional title and third in the last three years since winning the school's last championship in 2009. Goalie Katie Wintersteen made two saves for her 12th shutout.
Warren Hills (21-1), which has now won 11 straight, advances to meet No. 2 Hopewell Valley, a 5-2 winner over No. 7 Cranford in another quarterfinal, in Saturday's sectional semifinals. Streaks coach Laurie Kerr, now 24-11 all-time in postseason games, said the semifinal game may be played at the Stuart Day School in Princeton depending on whether or not Hopewell Valley's field is playable after the recent bad weather.
Top-seeded Freehold Borough (18-1) hosts No. 4 West Morris (18-2) in the other semifinal. The sectional championship game will be played on Tuesday.
Hopewell Valley (17-1), which has won five sectional titles and none since 1988, beat Warren Hills on penalty strokes at home in last year's semifinal round.
Schott now holds just about all of the Warren County school's offensive records, including career goals (72), career assists (46), single-season points (70) and career points (190). At 16 this season, she is two assists shy of matching Lauren Cuff's single-season mark of 18 set in 2002.
On the record-breaking 27th goal, Schott dribbled into the circle from about the 25-yard line on a free hit and blasted a shot past Hopewell Valley goalie Bailey Herr. Miller followed 41 seconds later with an identical score, her 22nd goal of the season.
Schott has scored at least one goal in six straight games and in 16 of the team's 22 contests this season. Miller, who has been outstanding at the center midfield spot, has at least one goal or one assist in 13 consecutive games and in 19 of 22 this season. Nikki Schott and Whitney Kowski added assists in Thursday's win.
Warren Hills has reached the sectional semifinals in six consecutive seasons dating to 2006, falling in three of those contests. The 2009 team claimed the title en route to a runner-up finish in the Group 3 state final.
The senior forward registered a pair of goals to establish a new single-season record as the third-seeded Blue Streaks rolled to a 6-0 victory over No. 11 Ocean Township on Thursday in a North 2, Group 3 quarterfinal contest on the turf in Washington.
Schott notched her 26th and 27th goals of the season to esclipse the previous mark of 26 set by Kate Alleger in 1996. Junior forward Niki Miller and senior forward Kayla Grater also scored a pair of goals for the Blue Streaks, who are seeking the program's 10th sectional title and third in the last three years since winning the school's last championship in 2009. Goalie Katie Wintersteen made two saves for her 12th shutout.
Warren Hills (21-1), which has now won 11 straight, advances to meet No. 2 Hopewell Valley, a 5-2 winner over No. 7 Cranford in another quarterfinal, in Saturday's sectional semifinals. Streaks coach Laurie Kerr, now 24-11 all-time in postseason games, said the semifinal game may be played at the Stuart Day School in Princeton depending on whether or not Hopewell Valley's field is playable after the recent bad weather.
Top-seeded Freehold Borough (18-1) hosts No. 4 West Morris (18-2) in the other semifinal. The sectional championship game will be played on Tuesday.
Hopewell Valley (17-1), which has won five sectional titles and none since 1988, beat Warren Hills on penalty strokes at home in last year's semifinal round.
Schott now holds just about all of the Warren County school's offensive records, including career goals (72), career assists (46), single-season points (70) and career points (190). At 16 this season, she is two assists shy of matching Lauren Cuff's single-season mark of 18 set in 2002.
On the record-breaking 27th goal, Schott dribbled into the circle from about the 25-yard line on a free hit and blasted a shot past Hopewell Valley goalie Bailey Herr. Miller followed 41 seconds later with an identical score, her 22nd goal of the season.
Schott has scored at least one goal in six straight games and in 16 of the team's 22 contests this season. Miller, who has been outstanding at the center midfield spot, has at least one goal or one assist in 13 consecutive games and in 19 of 22 this season. Nikki Schott and Whitney Kowski added assists in Thursday's win.
Warren Hills has reached the sectional semifinals in six consecutive seasons dating to 2006, falling in three of those contests. The 2009 team claimed the title en route to a runner-up finish in the Group 3 state final.
Stateliners ready for redemption in sectional semis
Phillipsburg's field hockey team is getting two for the price of one.
The sixth-seeded Stateliners will take on an opponent they weren't allowed to compete against a year ago on Friday when they face second-seeded Montclair in a North 1, Group 4 semifinal at the Watchung Elementary School.
This was supposed to be a rematch of last year's sectional final. However, Phillipsburg was disqualified from playing in the title game -- after an 8-1 semifinal win over Vernon -- for having played too many regular season contests. It left a talented group of seniors heartbroken and denied the Warren County school a shot at its first championship since 1999. Instead, Montclair beat Vernon, 5-0, in the final.
"In a way we're playing last year's game and this one on Friday," said first-year coach Jennifer Paulus, an assistant under former head coach Carrie Saul the previous two seasons. "I'm really excited. It's really sad what happened last year. I wasn't the head coach, but it was awful. The opportunity [to play for the title] was taken away from those seniors and the team."
So, here we are again, this time with Phillipsburg (10-10) and Montclair (9-6-4) in the sectional semifinals. These programs are no stranger to one another, squaring off for a fourth time in the playoffs since 2005.
The 'Liners won the last meeting, 1-0, in the 2009 quarterfinals. The Huskies prevailed in the 2005 and '06 semifinals, including a controversial 1-0 win in the latter. In that one, Jess Kasza scored what appeared to be the tying goal on a penalty corner with no time left in regulation. The goal was incorrectly waived off, as several high-ranking officials later confirmed after the contest.
So you could say that Phillipsburg is not only playing for the present, but its past as well. The 'Liners have won four sectional titles (1972, '77, '98, '99), while Montclair is seeking to become only the 13th school in New Jersey history to win 10 championships.
"I didn't expect us to be in the states. It's exciting to have the opportunity to go and win this year," Paulus said. "We're coming to play. Some of the girls weren't on the [varsity] team last year, but we're all supposed to be in this together. The girls want to play Montclair."
Phillipsburg is playing some of its best hockey of the season at the right time. The 'Liners, after falling to 4-7 on Oct. 7, have gone 6-3 since and have won four straight including a pair of state playoff wins against No. 11 seed North Hunterdon (3-1 on Oct. 26) and No. 3 Westfield (2-1 on Oct. 31). In between, P'burg beat Belvidere, 2-1, a meaningful victory for Paulus and assistant Shannon Kadi (O'Neil), who both played for the County Seaters. Paulus was a freshman on the 1996 team, guided by legendary coach Sally Ueberroth, that claimed the school's seventh and last sectional title before falling in the Group 1 final.
Paulus, whose sisters, Taylor and Cassie Rudd, also played at Belvidere, said one of the reasons for P'burg's improved second half is a lighter schedule. During the first half of the season, P'burg played Skyland Conference heavyweights like Warren Hills, Voorhees and Montgomery.
"We're clicking at the right time," Paulus said. "We played a lot of tough teams early. We lost some close games, twice to Voorhees by a goal and we were 0-0 with Warren Hills [in the second meeting on Oct. 18]. We lost to Montgomery [on Oct. 6] in double overtime on a [penalty] stroke.
"I told the girls that I've been in their situation. I told them this is what they've been practicing for and all the hard work in the offseason. It's great to see them doing it right now."
A talented forward line, anchored by seniors Lauren Nunes (8 goals, 9 assists) and Priscilla Howell (12 goals) has accounted for 11 goals in the team's last four games. But it's primarily been the emergence of junior right wing Katie Decker that's fueled the Warren County school's postseason run. Decker, who has four goals in the last four games, has eight for the season to go with 10 assists.
"She's a class act and a great kid," Paulus said of Decker. "She's a captain, an outstanding athlete and a true leader. Her speed is ridiculous. She doesn't stop playing the ball. I'm very pleased to have her back next season."
The defense was a big question mark coming into the season. But Mariya Saydek, Renee Custodio and Autumn Marinelli have pulled together as a completely new backfield from a year ago.
They will have to be on top of their game to stop a potent Montclair offense, led by senior Jillian Alonzo (15 goals) and Heather Hammerling (10 goals).
The sixth-seeded Stateliners will take on an opponent they weren't allowed to compete against a year ago on Friday when they face second-seeded Montclair in a North 1, Group 4 semifinal at the Watchung Elementary School.
This was supposed to be a rematch of last year's sectional final. However, Phillipsburg was disqualified from playing in the title game -- after an 8-1 semifinal win over Vernon -- for having played too many regular season contests. It left a talented group of seniors heartbroken and denied the Warren County school a shot at its first championship since 1999. Instead, Montclair beat Vernon, 5-0, in the final.
"In a way we're playing last year's game and this one on Friday," said first-year coach Jennifer Paulus, an assistant under former head coach Carrie Saul the previous two seasons. "I'm really excited. It's really sad what happened last year. I wasn't the head coach, but it was awful. The opportunity [to play for the title] was taken away from those seniors and the team."
So, here we are again, this time with Phillipsburg (10-10) and Montclair (9-6-4) in the sectional semifinals. These programs are no stranger to one another, squaring off for a fourth time in the playoffs since 2005.
The 'Liners won the last meeting, 1-0, in the 2009 quarterfinals. The Huskies prevailed in the 2005 and '06 semifinals, including a controversial 1-0 win in the latter. In that one, Jess Kasza scored what appeared to be the tying goal on a penalty corner with no time left in regulation. The goal was incorrectly waived off, as several high-ranking officials later confirmed after the contest.
So you could say that Phillipsburg is not only playing for the present, but its past as well. The 'Liners have won four sectional titles (1972, '77, '98, '99), while Montclair is seeking to become only the 13th school in New Jersey history to win 10 championships.
"I didn't expect us to be in the states. It's exciting to have the opportunity to go and win this year," Paulus said. "We're coming to play. Some of the girls weren't on the [varsity] team last year, but we're all supposed to be in this together. The girls want to play Montclair."
Phillipsburg is playing some of its best hockey of the season at the right time. The 'Liners, after falling to 4-7 on Oct. 7, have gone 6-3 since and have won four straight including a pair of state playoff wins against No. 11 seed North Hunterdon (3-1 on Oct. 26) and No. 3 Westfield (2-1 on Oct. 31). In between, P'burg beat Belvidere, 2-1, a meaningful victory for Paulus and assistant Shannon Kadi (O'Neil), who both played for the County Seaters. Paulus was a freshman on the 1996 team, guided by legendary coach Sally Ueberroth, that claimed the school's seventh and last sectional title before falling in the Group 1 final.
Paulus, whose sisters, Taylor and Cassie Rudd, also played at Belvidere, said one of the reasons for P'burg's improved second half is a lighter schedule. During the first half of the season, P'burg played Skyland Conference heavyweights like Warren Hills, Voorhees and Montgomery.
"We're clicking at the right time," Paulus said. "We played a lot of tough teams early. We lost some close games, twice to Voorhees by a goal and we were 0-0 with Warren Hills [in the second meeting on Oct. 18]. We lost to Montgomery [on Oct. 6] in double overtime on a [penalty] stroke.
"I told the girls that I've been in their situation. I told them this is what they've been practicing for and all the hard work in the offseason. It's great to see them doing it right now."
A talented forward line, anchored by seniors Lauren Nunes (8 goals, 9 assists) and Priscilla Howell (12 goals) has accounted for 11 goals in the team's last four games. But it's primarily been the emergence of junior right wing Katie Decker that's fueled the Warren County school's postseason run. Decker, who has four goals in the last four games, has eight for the season to go with 10 assists.
"She's a class act and a great kid," Paulus said of Decker. "She's a captain, an outstanding athlete and a true leader. Her speed is ridiculous. She doesn't stop playing the ball. I'm very pleased to have her back next season."
The defense was a big question mark coming into the season. But Mariya Saydek, Renee Custodio and Autumn Marinelli have pulled together as a completely new backfield from a year ago.
They will have to be on top of their game to stop a potent Montclair offense, led by senior Jillian Alonzo (15 goals) and Heather Hammerling (10 goals).
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
NJSIAA: Voorhees moving on to sectional semis
Senior back Taylor Irving converted a pair of penalty strokes as fourth-seeded Voorhees scored three times in the second half to edge fifth-seeded Bernards, 4-3, in a matchup of Skyland Conference teams in the North 2, Group 2 quarterfinals on Wednesday at North Hunterdon's Singley Field.
Senior forward Kat Francis, a goalie her freshman year, scored the decisive goal with 3:20 left in the game.
Voorhees (14-3), which has now won five straight, advances to Saturday's semifinals and will meet top-seeded Johnson, a 1-0 winner over eighth-seeded Summit. Johnson beat Voorhees, 2-1 in double overtime, in last year's final that had to be played over two days and on two different fields due to poor weather and field conditions in Glen Gardner.
Coach Taylor Webb's Vikings are bidding for the Hunterdon County school's seventh sectional championship and first since 2006. Voorhees has reached the sectional semifinals seven straight years dating to 2005 and is now 51-30 all-time in postseason contests.
Bernards (12-6), which led 2-1 at halftime, got two goals from KeeKee Winslow and another by Rachael Alberti.
Outstanding Voorhees goalie Kimmie Pianucci made 12 saves, allowing more than one goal in a game for the first time all season. The Vikings' defense had yielded a total of seven goals coming into this one.
In other action:
Northern Highlands 4, Vernon 3 -- Junior forward Rachel Colvin struck for a pair of goals and senior right wing Melody Prisco added another, but it wasn't enough as the fifth-seeded Vikings (14-6) fell in the North 1, Group 3 quarterfinals. Lauren O'Keefe scored twice for the fourth-seeded Highlanders (15-4-2), who will face the winner of Thursday's quarterfinal between No. 1 High Point and No. 8 Montville in Saturday's semifinals.
Ramsey 2, Newton 1 -- Stephanie Mocerino scored the lone goal for the seventh-seeded Braves (9-6-1) in a North 1, Group 2 quarterfinal against second-seeded Ramsey (15-3-2). Junior Melanie Rudio assisted on Mocerino's goal. Newton, which has won eight sectional titles and none since 1986, reached the final last year under veteran coach Lisa Bechtel, who has yet to win the elusive title in 22 seasons at the helm of the Sussex County school.
Senior forward Kat Francis, a goalie her freshman year, scored the decisive goal with 3:20 left in the game.
Voorhees (14-3), which has now won five straight, advances to Saturday's semifinals and will meet top-seeded Johnson, a 1-0 winner over eighth-seeded Summit. Johnson beat Voorhees, 2-1 in double overtime, in last year's final that had to be played over two days and on two different fields due to poor weather and field conditions in Glen Gardner.
Coach Taylor Webb's Vikings are bidding for the Hunterdon County school's seventh sectional championship and first since 2006. Voorhees has reached the sectional semifinals seven straight years dating to 2005 and is now 51-30 all-time in postseason contests.
Bernards (12-6), which led 2-1 at halftime, got two goals from KeeKee Winslow and another by Rachael Alberti.
Outstanding Voorhees goalie Kimmie Pianucci made 12 saves, allowing more than one goal in a game for the first time all season. The Vikings' defense had yielded a total of seven goals coming into this one.
In other action:
Northern Highlands 4, Vernon 3 -- Junior forward Rachel Colvin struck for a pair of goals and senior right wing Melody Prisco added another, but it wasn't enough as the fifth-seeded Vikings (14-6) fell in the North 1, Group 3 quarterfinals. Lauren O'Keefe scored twice for the fourth-seeded Highlanders (15-4-2), who will face the winner of Thursday's quarterfinal between No. 1 High Point and No. 8 Montville in Saturday's semifinals.
Ramsey 2, Newton 1 -- Stephanie Mocerino scored the lone goal for the seventh-seeded Braves (9-6-1) in a North 1, Group 2 quarterfinal against second-seeded Ramsey (15-3-2). Junior Melanie Rudio assisted on Mocerino's goal. Newton, which has won eight sectional titles and none since 1986, reached the final last year under veteran coach Lisa Bechtel, who has yet to win the elusive title in 22 seasons at the helm of the Sussex County school.
NJSIAA: Rangers suffer early postseason exit
The postseason is once again history in the making for Jefferson's field hockey team.
After reaching the semifinals for the first time ever a year ago, the No. 11 seed Falcons will make a return appearance after Wednesday's 2-1 upset win over No. 3 Wallkill Valley in a North 1, Group 2 quarterfinal matchup.
The game was moved to the turf at Vernon Township High School after the recent snow left Wallkill Valley's home field unplayable. The artificial surface, which Jefferson enjoys playing on, may have been a blessing. The Falcons (13-5-1) advance to meet No. 2 Ramsey, a 2-1 winner over No. 7 Newton, in Saturday's semifinals.
"We knew Wallkill was going to be a tough team, but if we played our best we would be able to get a win today," said first-year coach Kasey Farris, who is guiding the Morris County team for this season while coach Danielle Ryan is out on maternity leave. "I think if they play the way they did today, they can beat anybody."
Wallkill Valley (14-5) saw its season end with a tough loss. Coach Irene Chernati's Rangers, who were seeking the Sussex County school's eighth sectional title and first since 2006, never quite overcame a sluggish first half that was completely one-sided in Jefferson's favor. Wallkill also had two goals waived off, as both balls hit off bodies inside the circle.
Outstanding senior midfielder Brittany Harlos, in her final game, made it a one-goal game about midway through the second half -- converting a penalty stroke after a Jefferson defender played a ball off her body in the circle.
But the Falcons' defense, led by senior back Vivianna Samite, held it together down the stretch despite yielding 12 corners in the final 30 minutes. Just when it appeared Wallkill Valley was threatening late, Jefferson pressured and was rewarded with three penalty corners in the final three minutes.
"This was great. We really played as a team," said Samite, who was all over the field making big defensive stops in this one. "We had some struggles, but we pulled it together in the second half. I had a lot of faith in our team."
Jefferson struck for both of its goals in the first half, as the Falcons racked up 12 penalty corners to only one for Wallkill Valley.
Junior Katelyn Cannarozzi opened the scoring with her fourth goal of the season on the team's eighth corner, making a nice dodge on Wallkill Valley goalie Emily Stukenborg and finding an empty cage. Senior forward Lauren Ferguson made it a two-goal lead, receiving a nice cross pass from Vienna Castrignano and firing a shot past Wallkill Valley defender Kristin Garrera, who attempted what would have been an incredible back-line save.
"[Stukenborg] was coming out really far and coach [Farris] told me to dodge her when I had the opportunity." Cannarozzi said. "I did that and I was able to score.
"Our defense had a really strong game and we knew where to place the ball, and we were able to switch fields."
Farris, whose team has won five of its last six games, said getting an early jump on the hosts played a huge role in the outcome.
"Scoring early is something we've had a problem with all season," the coach said. "It really boosted their confidence and it was huge for us to get those two goals early."
This Jefferson team, the first in school history to play in back-to-back semifinals, is playing with a lot of confidence overall.
"This is shocking. I wasn't expecting such a great senior year," Samite said. "It's a great run and we didn't want it to end [today]."
Jefferson (13-5-1) 2 0 -- 2
Wallkill Valley (14-5) 0 1 -- 1
Scoring
First half -- J, Katelyn Cannarozzi, 4th, 15:07; J, Lauren Ferguson, 6th, (Vienna Castrignano), 7:51.
Second half -- WV, Brittany Harlos, 14th, (penalty stroke), 15:24.
Shots -- Jefferson 5; Wallkill Valley 3.
Saves -- Lexi Taveras 2 (J); Emily Stukenborg 2, Andreanna Nordland 1 (defensive) (WV).
Penalty corners -- Jefferson 15; Wallkill Valley 13.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
NJSIAA: Streaks, Red Devils earn playoff wins
Junior midfielder Niki Miller scored a pair of goals and assisted on two other scores as third-seeded Warren Hills rolled to an 8-1 win over No. 14 Mendham on Tuesday in Flemington.
The game was played at Hunterdon Central Regional High School due to the recent storm and power outages. The Blue Streaks (20-1), who have won 10 in a row since a 2-1 overtime loss to Voorhees on Oct. 6, hadn't played a game in a week.
Warren Hills advances to the quarterfinals and will host No. 11 Ocean Township, a 2-0 winner over No. 6 Princeton, in Thursday's quarterfinals. Tuesday's win was the Warren County school's second in two postseason meetings with overmatched Mendham (6-12-1), which lost, 2-0, to the Streaks in 1982.
Warren Hills defeated Ocean Township, 2-1 in overtime, en route to the sectional title in 2009.
Coach Laurie Kerr's teams are now 23-11 overall in the postseason and the program is 52-35 all-time in playoff contests dating to 1972. Warren Hills is seeking the program's 10th sectional title and its first since 2009.
Miller, the center midfielder who is having an outstanding season, now has 20 goals and 12 assists. She is only the sixth player ever to record a 20-goal season for the Blue Streaks. Teammate Lindsey Schott, the school's all-time goals, assists and points leader, added a goal and an assist on Tuesday, raising her season totals to 25 and 15.
Schott, who has 21 goals last year, is one goal shy of matching Kate Alleger (26 in 1996) for the single-season record. Megan Springmeyer (23 in 2007), Lori Toole (23 in 1979) and Gail Petteruti (21 in 1984) are the others to notch 20 goals in a season.
Freshmen Sydney Muntone and Nikki Profita combined for four goals and two assists. Muntone recorded her first-ever hat trick.
In other action:
Montclair Kimberley 2, Belvidere 1 -- Senior forward Tiffany McKenna concluded her fine career with a goal, her 28th of the season, as the County Seaters (15-5) came up short in the North 1, Group 1 quarterfinals. Belvidere also lost to MKA, 2-1 on strokes, in last year's opening round. Coach Kristin Gaitan's team was trying to earn the program's first playoff win since capturing the 1996 sectional title.
Florence 3, South Hunterdon 1 -- Kaycee Zelvosky scored the lone goal for the Eagles (12-6) in their North 2, Group 1 quarterfinal loss. South was looking to capture its 15th sectional title and first since 2002. Only West Essex (29), Moorestown (21), Shore (21), Shawnee (20), Eastern (18) and Haddonfield (16) have won more sectional championships than the Hunterdon County school.
On Monday:
Hunterdon Central 1, East Brunswick 0 (OT) -- Senior forward Kim Engelhart scored the winning goal just 1:37 into the seven-a-side overtime as the sixth seeded Red Devils continued their amazing comeback season with a win over the third-seeded Bears in the North 2, Group 4 quarterfinals. Central (12-9), which won only three games in 2010, will meet No. 2 West Windsor-North in Friday's semifinals. Coach Jenn Sponzo's team is seeking the school's 12th sectional title and first since 2007.
Phillipsburg 2, Westfield 1 -- Senior right wing Lauren Nunes notched one goal and assisted on another to lead the sixth-seeded Stateliners (10-10), who have won four straight, in the North 1, Group 4 quarterfinals. Junior foward Katie Decker had one assist, giving her four goals and one assist in the team's last four games. P'burg, which beat Westfield, 5-0, in last year's quarterfinals, will travel to second-seeded Montclair for Friday's semifinals. The 'Liners were to play Montclair for the title last year, but were disqualified for playing too many games. P'burg is 1-2 against Montclair in three postseason meetings dating to 2005, including a 1-0 win for the 'Liners in the 2009 quarterfinals.
The game was played at Hunterdon Central Regional High School due to the recent storm and power outages. The Blue Streaks (20-1), who have won 10 in a row since a 2-1 overtime loss to Voorhees on Oct. 6, hadn't played a game in a week.
Warren Hills advances to the quarterfinals and will host No. 11 Ocean Township, a 2-0 winner over No. 6 Princeton, in Thursday's quarterfinals. Tuesday's win was the Warren County school's second in two postseason meetings with overmatched Mendham (6-12-1), which lost, 2-0, to the Streaks in 1982.
Warren Hills defeated Ocean Township, 2-1 in overtime, en route to the sectional title in 2009.
Coach Laurie Kerr's teams are now 23-11 overall in the postseason and the program is 52-35 all-time in playoff contests dating to 1972. Warren Hills is seeking the program's 10th sectional title and its first since 2009.
Miller, the center midfielder who is having an outstanding season, now has 20 goals and 12 assists. She is only the sixth player ever to record a 20-goal season for the Blue Streaks. Teammate Lindsey Schott, the school's all-time goals, assists and points leader, added a goal and an assist on Tuesday, raising her season totals to 25 and 15.
Schott, who has 21 goals last year, is one goal shy of matching Kate Alleger (26 in 1996) for the single-season record. Megan Springmeyer (23 in 2007), Lori Toole (23 in 1979) and Gail Petteruti (21 in 1984) are the others to notch 20 goals in a season.
Freshmen Sydney Muntone and Nikki Profita combined for four goals and two assists. Muntone recorded her first-ever hat trick.
In other action:
Montclair Kimberley 2, Belvidere 1 -- Senior forward Tiffany McKenna concluded her fine career with a goal, her 28th of the season, as the County Seaters (15-5) came up short in the North 1, Group 1 quarterfinals. Belvidere also lost to MKA, 2-1 on strokes, in last year's opening round. Coach Kristin Gaitan's team was trying to earn the program's first playoff win since capturing the 1996 sectional title.
Florence 3, South Hunterdon 1 -- Kaycee Zelvosky scored the lone goal for the Eagles (12-6) in their North 2, Group 1 quarterfinal loss. South was looking to capture its 15th sectional title and first since 2002. Only West Essex (29), Moorestown (21), Shore (21), Shawnee (20), Eastern (18) and Haddonfield (16) have won more sectional championships than the Hunterdon County school.
On Monday:
Hunterdon Central 1, East Brunswick 0 (OT) -- Senior forward Kim Engelhart scored the winning goal just 1:37 into the seven-a-side overtime as the sixth seeded Red Devils continued their amazing comeback season with a win over the third-seeded Bears in the North 2, Group 4 quarterfinals. Central (12-9), which won only three games in 2010, will meet No. 2 West Windsor-North in Friday's semifinals. Coach Jenn Sponzo's team is seeking the school's 12th sectional title and first since 2007.
Phillipsburg 2, Westfield 1 -- Senior right wing Lauren Nunes notched one goal and assisted on another to lead the sixth-seeded Stateliners (10-10), who have won four straight, in the North 1, Group 4 quarterfinals. Junior foward Katie Decker had one assist, giving her four goals and one assist in the team's last four games. P'burg, which beat Westfield, 5-0, in last year's quarterfinals, will travel to second-seeded Montclair for Friday's semifinals. The 'Liners were to play Montclair for the title last year, but were disqualified for playing too many games. P'burg is 1-2 against Montclair in three postseason meetings dating to 2005, including a 1-0 win for the 'Liners in the 2009 quarterfinals.
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