Field hockey: Final Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex ranks

As we close the book on another field hockey season, let's take a sneak peek at some things to watch for in 2019.

Warren Hills, which started an assortment of 11 underclassmen, figures to start next year as the top team in the area. The Blue Streaks, who captured the program's 16th sectional title, will likely have to go through Northern Highlands and West Morris -- both road games this postseason -- in their bid for an eighth consecutive championship. The mandatory crossovers in the Skyland Conference -- locking Raritan Division teams into 15 conference games -- are hurting the Streaks in power points, which do not factor in strength of schedule, and they have little margin for error before the cutoff.

Eastern (Group 4 champion), West Essex (Group 2 champion) and Shore (Group 1 champion) -- all annual state powers -- have been on Warren Hills' schedule in recent years. Seeing those top-flight teams during the regular season was critical to the Group 3 title runs in 2014 and '15. It would be great to see those matchups again in the future.

Voorhees, which was also a fairly young team this season, snapped a four-game skid against Warren Hills with a 4-2 win on the road that essentially secured the Skyland Conference Raritan Division title. Hopefully the area's best rivalry won't resume again on opening day like it did this season. The Vikes own a 34-26-6 edge overall, but the Streaks have won nine of the last 13, including a 1-0 win in overtime in the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament semifinals.

Newton should be the favorite to win a second straight North 1, Group 1 sectional title, but keep an eye on Belvidere as well.

And lastly, Phillipsburg may be poised to make the biggest improvement after this year's seven-win season. The Stateliners, who haven't won a sectional title since 1999, have advanced past the second round just twice in the last eight years (2011 and '17 semifinal losses), and they last reached a title game in 2010, only to be ruled ineligible (too many games) to play for the title.

With Bridgewater-Raritan and Hunterdon Central both in North 2, Group 4, P'burg is in a good spot to end its finals appearance drought.

Now, here are the final Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex rankings for 2018:

Hackettstown beat Warren Hills, 1-0 in OT, in the HWS final.

1. Hackettstown (19-3-1) -- Tigers enjoyed one of the most successful seasons in program history -- winning a fourth consecutive NJAC Freedom Division title and their first Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament championship before falling to Group 2 champion West Essex in the North 1, Group 2 sectional final. Midfielder Madison Hoskins, one of nine seniors on the roster, led the area in scoring with 18 goals and 22 assists, including six assists in three postseason games. Senior forward Kayla Cichlar notched 17 goals, while senior midfielder Jessica Scheper had 15 goals.

Warren Hills has won a Skyland Conference-best 16 titles.

2. Warren Hills (19-6-1) -- Blue Streaks captured their seventh straight sectional title and made the program's seventh consecutive appearance in the Group 3 final, where they dropped a 7-0 decision to Moorestown. With 13 sophomores on the roster, coach Josie Potter's team could be the favorite to win the Group 3 title in 2019. Sophomore Simryn Desai led the Streaks with 18 goals, while sophomore Jenna Wyckoff recorded a team-high 10 assists. In addition, the program is closing in on a milestone with 687 wins.

3. Voorhees (15-7) -- Vikings, who suffered their most losses since going 6-9-1 in 2004, claimed the Skyland Conference Raritan Division title, the program's fifth division championship in six years and its 29th overall (conference or division) in 44 seasons. First-year coach Shannon Hughes' team, which plays in the toughest section in the state, finished with a 3-0 loss to 2017 Group 2 champion Rumson-Fair Haven in the North 2, Group 2 semifinals. Junior forwards Cassie Boyce (20 goals, 15 assists) and Brooke Hyland (20 goals) were the only 20-goal scorers in the area.

4. Hunterdon Central (14-4-1) -- Red Devils saw their fine season end with a 4-1 loss to nemesis Bridgewater-Raritan, which lost to powerhouse Eastern for the 20th straight year in the Group 4 final, in the North 2, Group 4 sectional title game. Coach Jenn Sponzo's team had played to a 2-2 tie with the Panthers, who have ended Central's postseasons the last eight years, on Oct. 9. Though it loses three key seniors, keep an eye on this group in 2019, as junior forward and leading scorer Sammy Freeman (15 goals, 12 assists) will return, along with junior Rachel Stone (12 goals, 10 assists).

Newton celebrates its 12th sectional title.

5. Newton (15-5-1) -- Braves got hot at the right time down the stretch to win the program's fourth sectional title -- and Sussex County-leading 12th -- in five seasons with a 1-0 win in overtime against Belvidere in the North 1, Group 1 final. Senior forward Victoria Docherty scored the winning goal in the championship game and leading the team in scoring with 16 goals and five assists. Freshman Sydney Pavlishin, who had three assists in the postseason, will be among several key returning underclassmen, along with junior forward Angela Melillo and junior goalie Abby Berkowitz.

Belvidere after its HWS win over Hunterdon Central.

6. Belvidere (13-6-1) -- County Seaters finally broke the program's sectional final drought, but came up short in their bid for the first title since 1996 with a tough 1-0 loss in overtime to Newton in the North 1, Group 1 final. Coach Beth Franceschino's team also made a nice run to the HWS semifinals with a stunning 3-2 win over Hunterdon Central before a 3-1 loss to eventual champ Hackettstown. Due to apparent scheduling conflicts, the Seaters never played a crossover game against Somerville in which a win would have given them a share of the Skyland Conference Mountain Division title. Despite the loss of several key seniors, including leading scorer Maddie Call (10 goals, 10 assists) and goalie Anya Logan (10 shutouts), the Warren County school should be a contender in 2019.

7. Delaware Valley (11-7) -- Terriers finished their season with losses to North 2, Group 2 sectional runner-up Bernards (2-0 on Oct. 25) and Johnson (1-0 in the North 2, Group 1 quarterfinals). The latter was a rematch of a regular-season meeting, won by Del Val, 2-0, on Sept. 21. Junior midfielder Madeline Bill (10 goals) and sophomore forward Kristen Bill (10 goals) will be counted on next season by a team that loses five key seniors, including forward Megan Donnelly, who led the team with nine assists.

8. South Hunterdon (8-5-1) -- Eagles saw their rain-shortened season end with a 1-0 loss to Glen Ridge in the opening round of the North 2, Group 2 playoffs. Sophomore midfielder Rebecca Phillips (11 goals) had three multi-goal games, while junior Alicia Catanzareti (12 goals), scored the winning goal in a 1-0 victory over Belvidere on Sept. 11, which helped the program win the Skyland Conference Mountain Division title.

9. High Point (7-8-1) -- Wildcats finished their season on a winning note as leading scorer Tyra Wingle scored a pair of goals in a 3-0 win over Pope John in the program's annual Play for Pink contest. Coach Kelly Reynolds' team also won a postseason game -- 1-0 in double overtime against Sparta in the opener of the North 1, Group 2 playoffs. Freshman forward Ali Stoner scored the decisive goal -- her third of the year -- in that one. With nine seniors, she will be counted on next season.

10. Phillipsburg (7-14) -- Stateliners were a tough out this season despite the record. Second-year coach Toni Popinko's team took Warren Hills to overtime in a 3-2 loss on Sept. 8, while hanging tough in 1-0 losses to Hunterdon Central, Hackettstown and Ridge, which ended the Warren County school's season with a 3-0 win in the North 1, Group 4 playoffs. Senior midfielder Gabby Dudek (11 goals) will be missed in 2019, but this team should be in good shape with junior back Carson Drake and junior goalie Tatum McVey returning next season.

Keur, Johnson enter HOF

Longtime High Point coach Bev Keur and former Newton star Alexis Johnson were inducted into the Sussex County Hall of Fame on Saturday.

Keur's teams went 368-151-25 overall during her 26 seasons over three stints as head coach, and she guided the 'Cats to nine conference and five sectional titles (1988, '96, '97, 2000, '02), the program's only state championship (Group 3 in '88), as well as runner-up finishes in 1997 and 2002.

Johnson was a scoring machine during her playing days for the Braves under longtime coach Lisa Bechtel -- scoring 27 goals her senior season in 2000. Johnson went on to play at the University of Albany, a Division I program.

Field hockey: Will Streaks be G3 title favorites in '19?

Warren Hills juniors Kate Fenner and Samantha Dugan were already thinking about the 2019 field hockey season shortly after the sting of a 7-0 loss to Moorestown in the Group 3 final on Saturday.

Another finals defeat -- the Blue Streaks' third in a row following back-to-back runs for the program's only two championships in 2014 and '15 -- is something neither player wants to endure again a year from now, especially in what will be their last season wearing the blue and white.

Warren Hills will have its sight set on winning another one of these in 2019.

"We have a lot to work on," said Fenner, a strong defensive player who really showed her versatility midway through the season when she was asked to assume the center midfield spot. "Next year the pressure will be on us because we will be expected to win. I can't believe this was my last game as a junior."

Warren Hills (19-6-1), which fell one shy of extending the program's string of 20-win seasons to eight, captured its seventh straight sectional title while appearing in its seventh straight Group 3 final. But that elusive state title will be the focus in 2019, along with reclaiming the Skyland Conference Raritan Division and Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament championships after runner-up finishes in both.

"It stinks to end the season with a loss, but I feel we played the best we possibly could. They played hard the entire game," said second-year coach Josie Potter, whose unorthodox decision to scrap her lineup midway through the season to essentially hold open tryouts for starting spots paid off dividends after the Streaks had lost three of five and were lacking offensive punch.

Fenner and Dugan helped mentor a talented, but inexperienced forward line that struggled at times this fall.

Speedy sophomore wing Simryn Desai, who scored decisive goals in the North 1, Group 3 sectional final and the Group 3 semifinal wins, led the team with 18 goals. Sophomore Jenna Wyckoff also scored some big goals, including a reverse-stick winner in a 2-1 victory in overtime vs. Hackettstown on Sept. 29 -- one of seven OT games and the most played by the Streaks in a season since the 2005 team's six. Freshman Maddie Summitt finished with five goals and five assists, while sophomore Julianna Valli, another speedster, often provided a spark off the bench. Even sophomore Grace Kerner, who played sparingly this season, flashed some skill in coming off the bench against Moorestown.

"You have to want it and take advantage of your opportunities," said Dugan, who also was asked to help out in the midfield after coming off a strong sophomore season in which she scored 19 goals, primarily as a forward.

Dugan, who has 37 career goals, will have a good chance to finish in the Top 10 among on the program's all-time list as a senior -- either at forward or in the midfield. Winning another Group 3 title will hinge on boosting an offense that scored two or fewer goals 16 times and was shut out for the third time this season on Saturday.

"I know how to play multiple positions," Dugan said. "Whatever works best for the team."

Ashley Moskal (far right) was a key loss for the Streaks in 2018.

Considering the youth factor and injuries to key players, Warren Hills, which will enter next season with 687 wins as a program, did well just to reach a seventh straight Group 3 final. Sophomore back Ashley Moskal, one of the best players in the conference and the MVP in last year's HWS Tournament, was lost for the season with a knee injury in the second game, a huge blow that could derailed the rest of the Streaks' campaign. In addition, back Liz Schlaffer, one of 13 sophomores on the roster who was having a solid season on defense, missed the final two games with a knee injury.

According to Potter, Moskal put the team on her back in the season opener against Voorhees and helped lead a scoring drive that sent Warren Hills on its way to a 3-1 win.

"She gave us that on-field leadership that we needed," Potter said. "She changed the entire tone [of that win over Voorhees]. Losing her hurt, not just because of her skill, but her leadership. She does it without being vocal. Kate also became a leader for us."

In her absence, sophomore backs Sarah Korczukowski, who moved from the center midfield spot to sweeper, and Kylie Compton really came into their own to help anchor a strong defensive unit, along with freshman Emily Dvorsky, who will be a major headache for opposing teams the next three seasons. They all were instrumental in the postseason run.

"Sarah K was stellar back there," Potter said. "She's very patient, and understands the game so well."

Moorestown (21-1-1), which won its 18th state title overall, featured 13 seniors, including 10 starters, and may be in for a bit of a rebuilding season next year. Ocean City, a state final nemesis for Warren Hills and a fairly young team as well, could be the Group 3 favorite in South Jersey in 2019. The Raiders (19-4-1), who also lost 7-0 to Moorestown in the Group 3 semifinals, handed the Streaks a 5-0 loss in the 2016 final after falling to Warren Hills in the 2014 and '15 title games.

"This hurts, but the girls played their hearts out," Potter said. "I'm looking forward to seeing the starting lineup we have returning."

Field hockey: Streaks' fine run ends in Group 3 final

BORDENTOWN -- Warren Hills' field hockey team won't have a tomorrow to play for again this season, but the groundwork for another state championship run was done, despite another disappointing loss in the title game.

For a second straight year, the Blue Streaks' campaign ended with a loss to Moorestown in the Group 3 final -- 7-0 on a blustery Saturday afternoon at Bordentown Regional High School.

"[Moorestown] is a very strong team. They were strong last year, and the majority of their lineup is seniors," said second-year coach Josie Potter, who had 11 underclassmen in the starting lineup on Saturday. "But my team never gave up the entire game. They played a full 60 minutes."

Warren Hills expects to make another Group 3 title run in 2019.

Moorestown (22-1-1), which won the program's 18th title overall, drew the No. 3 seed for next week's Tournament of Champions. The Quakers, who have 13 seniors on the roster, suffered their only loss this season to No. 1 Eastern -- 2-1 -- which captured its 20th consecutive Group 4 title on Saturday with an 11-0 win over Bridgewater-Raritan.

"They are incredible," said junior center midfielder Kate Fenner, who turned in another strong performance for Warren Hills after starting the winning drives in the North 1, Group 3 sectional final and Group 3 semifinal wins to get the Streaks to a seventh straight Group 3 final.

"We had a lot of young players. I'm really proud of all the girls, the way they stepped up.

Warren Hills (19-6-1), now 2-11 all-time in the state finals, was seeking the program's third state title since winning back-to-back championships in 2014-15. The Streaks, who fell 6-1 to Moorestown in the '17 final, have now been outscored, 18-1, in their last three appearances here.

"They were extremely skilled," said junior midfielder Samantha Dugan, one of only two returning starters, along with Fenner, from last year's title game. "They knew what they wanted to do, and they were very aggressive."

Inexperience was definitely a factor, but Warren Hills hung tough for about the first 20 minutes after giving up goal just 1:30 into the contest. But Moorestown coach Ali Collins wisely called a timeout with 13:43 left in the half and implored her team to "step on the gas." The Quakers responded with four more first-half goals in a span of about 10 minutes to open the floodgates.

Once again, the Streaks had no answer for Moorestown senior Delaney Lawler, who scored two of her three goals in a two-minute span, starting with a rocket shot off a penalty corner with 11:01 left on the clock. Lawler, an Ohio State recruit who scored twice in last year's final, added another off a corner -- a perfectly executed stick-to-stick pass in the circle from Colleen Craven -- two minutes later to make it 3-0.

Senior Kayla Frank, who opened the scoring, made it a 4-0 lead with her team-leading 35th goal before junior Alivia Labetti capped the first-half scoring off a rebound with 4:22 left on the clock.

Warren Hills, which was held to just one shot-on-goal that came early in the game, did not have a single penalty corner. Dugan, who had served as the insert for most of the season, said the Streaks had practiced several new corners this week that they were hoping to unveil in this one.

"We couldn't maintain possession," said Potter, now 8-2 overall in postseason games. "We either couldn't finish our passes or we just dribbled into [a defender]. That was the biggest issue today. We held them to two goals in the second half. That was our goal."

Though the season ended on a down note, Warren Hills did extend its sectional title streak to seven straight, something to be proud of considering the numerous injuries and inexperience the team had to overcome just to make a return trip to Bordentown.

"We had a great season," Fenner said. "Next year, the pressure will be on us. We will be expected to win."

Warren Hills (19-6-1)                   0                   0            --    0
Moorestown (22-1-1)                   5                   2            --    7

Scoring

First half -- M, Kayla Frank, 34th, (Delaney Lawler), 28:30; M, Lawler, 20th, (Shea Balderson), 11:01; M, Lawler, 21st, (Colleen Craven), 9:01; M, Frank, 35th, 6:10; M, Alivia Labetti, 5th, 4:22.

Second half -- M, Lawler, 22nd, (Catherine Dare), 27:55; M, Dare, 16th, 23:50.

Shots -- Warren Hills 1; Moorestown 15.

Saves -- Julia Webber 7, Emily Dvorsky 1 (defensive) (WH); Lauren Pickul 1 (M).

Penalty corners -- Warren Hills 0; Moorestown 6.

Field hockey: Streaks set to battle for Group 3 title

Warren Hills' field hockey team knows this postseason journey by heart.

After earning their seventh straight trip to the Group 3 final with a tough 3-2 win in double overtime against Millburn in Wednesday's semifinals, the Blue Streaks earned a championship rematch against favorite Moorestown at noon on Saturday at Bordentown Regional High School.

"That's awesome," Potter said of the program's finals streak, which began with the first of seven consecutive sectional titles in 2012. "I'm super proud of these girls."

Warren Hills (19-5-1), which has won five in a row and 12 of its last 13 games, faces its biggest challenge in what's been a bit of a tough season with injuries to several key starters, including sophomore back Ashley Moskal, who suffered a season-ending knee injury on Sept. 8.

Warren Hills seeks its first Group 3 title since going back-to-back in 2014-15.

Moskal, along with juniors Kate Fenner and Samantha Dugan, are the only returning starters from last year's 6-1 loss to Moorestown in the Group 3 final, which snapped Warren Hills' program record 19-game win streak. In fact, since winning back-to-back titles in 2014 and '15, the Streaks have lost two straight championship games in lopsided fashion, starting with a 5-0 defeat to Ocean City in the '16 final.

"The majority of our team has not been [to the finals at Bordentown] as a player. They haven't felt that kind of excitement," Potter said.

As it did a year ago, Warren Hills, which is 2-10 all-time in state finals, will embark on the nearly two-hour trek to South Jersey early enough to get to the school and get in a good warmup session. The departure time from Washington won't be quite as early this year with a noon start as opposed to playing in the 10 a.m. opener in 2017. The Streaks are also used to bus rides after playing on the road in all but the opening game in the North 1, Group 3 sectional playoffs this postseason -- including wins at Northern Highlands and West Morris.

"We got a good warmup [before the Group 3 semifinal on Wednesday at West Essex] and got the bus ride out of our legs," Potter said. "I've found that's been key for us."

A great sign for Warren Hills coming into the Group 3 final has been the resurgence of the offense, which has scored a total of 10 goals in four postseason games, including at least three goals in three of those contests. After scoring 15 goals in the first four games of the regular season, the Streaks averaged just 1.7 per game over their next 17 contests.

Speedy sophomore forward Simryn Desai, who has been a postseason hero with game-winning goals in overtime in the previous two games -- West Morris and Millburn -- as Warren Hills improved to 5-2-1 in OT this season and 84-42 overall in the postseason. Desai, who leads the team with 18 goals (six game-winners) on the year, looks to become just the 12th player in program history to notch 20 in a season. Not too shabby for a player who saw limited action as a freshman -- finishing her rookie season with one goal and one assist.

"She's extremely fast and reads plays really well," Potter said. "The second half of this season, she's really come into her own. She has great stick work and a nose for positioning. She's flawless right now."

Warren Hills celebrates winning its 16th sectional title on Nov. 1.

In addition, Dugan and Fenner have come up big in clutch moments.

Fenner, an outstanding defensive player who has made a smooth transition to the center midfield spot, started the winning drives in the sectional final win over West Morris and the Group 3 semifinal. Dugan, who has 12 goals on the season, has scored three goals and assisted on one this postseason. Both had a hand in Desai's winner against Millburn off a penalty corner.

Sophomore Sarah Korczukowski switched positions with Fenner, and she has done a nice job at sweeper, while sophomore Kylie Compton and freshman Emily Dvorsky are strong backs. Junior goalie Julia Webber, who plays an aggressive style in front of the cage, has been solid all season.

Warren Hills' defense will be put to the test against Moorestown (21-1-1), which returns 10 starters (nine seniors) from last year's title team -- the program's first championship since 2006. The Quakers' 17 state titles are tied with West Essex for the second-most in New Jersey history behind Eastern's 21.

Senior midfielder Delaney Lawler (19 goals, 13 assists), an Ohio State recruit who scored two goals in last year's Group 3 final, is Moorestown's top player and the niece of Eastern coach Danyle Heilig, who has guided the South Jersey power to 19 consecutive Group 4 titles. The Quakers feature a well-balanced attack with senior forwards Kayla Frank (33 goals) and Colleen Craven (8 goals, 13 assists), along with seniors Catherine Dare (15 goals, 13 assists) and Madison Sever (14 goals, 9 assists).

Coach Ali Collins' team won its first 13 games this season before playing to a 2-2 tie with 2017 Group 2 champion Rumson-Fair Haven on Oct. 8. Five days later, Moorestown suffered its only loss -- 2-1 to Eastern -- before bouncing back with a 3-1 win over West Essex, which will face Seneca for the Group 2 title on Saturday at 10 a.m. The Quakers, who have yielded just 12 goals all season, also waxed Group 4 finalist Bridgewater-Raritan, 7-1, earlier this year. Warren Hills fell, 2-1 in OT, to the Panthers on Sept. 15.

Moorestown, which has won an amazing 28 sectional titles in its history, has been tough on Open Mike area teams in state championship games. The Quakers scored a 1-0 win over Voorhees in the 2006 Group 3 final at Toms River East High School, and they handed Warren Hills a 2-1 loss in overtime in the 2003 title game at The College of New Jersey.

State finals matchups

(Games to be played Saturday at Bordentown)

Group 2

West Essex (19-2-1) vs. Seneca (16-6), 10 a.m.

Group 3

Warren Hills (19-5-1) vs. Moorestown (21-1-1), noon

Group 4

Bridgewater-Raritan (19-4-1) vs. Eastern (24-0), 2 p.m.

Group 1

Shore (21-3) vs. Haddonfield (19-2-2), 4 p.m.

Non-Public

Oak Knoll (22-1) vs. Bishop Eustace (16-2-2), 6 p.m.

Field hockey: Streaks prevail in wild G3 semifinal

Warren Hills' field hockey team is bound for Bordentown.

Sophomore forward Simryn Desai scored a pair of goals, including the game-winner off a corner in the second overtime, as the Blue Streaks earned a hard-fought 3-2 win over Millburn in the Group 3 semifinals on Wednesday at West Essex High School.

Warren Hills will play for its 3rd state title and first since 2015.

Warren Hills (19-5-1), which has won five in a row and is now 5-2-1 in overtime games this season, will get a rematch with Moorestown (21-1-1) -- a 7-0 winner over Ocean City -- in the state final at noon on Saturday at Bordentown Regional High School.

The Streaks, who are now 13-3 overall in state semifinal games, advanced to the program's seventh straight state final, where they are 2-10 overall since 1996. Second-year coach Josie Potter's 2017 team dropped a 6-1 decision to Moorestown. Prior to last season, Warren Hills went 2-3 against Ocean City in its previous five trips to the Group 3 final, winning its only titles in 2014 and '15.

"I'm super proud of these girls," said Potter, whose teams are 8-1 overall in postseason games. "They've really never given up all season long -- they've fought and fought. We keep coming out on the winning side in these games that could go either way."

Desai, who gave Warren Hills a 2-0 lead early in the second half with her 17th goal -- unassisted off the goalie's pads -- before adding her team-leading 18th early in the second 15-minute overtime, also scored the decisive goal against West Morris in a 3-2 victory in OT in the North 1, Group 3 sectional final last Thursday.

"The second half of the season, she's really come into her own," Potter said of Desai. "I believe that was her sixth game-winning goal of the season."

Junior midfielder Kate Fenner, who started the winning drive off a breakaway in the sectional final, once again played a huge role in this victory. Fenner sent the ball in on the penalty corner to junior Samantha Dugan, who normally serves in that role, and Dugan fired a pass to the far right post, where Desai was waiting to knock it in with 10:17 left on the clock. Millburn was playing short-handed in the second OT after receiving a five-minute yellow card for pushing.

"Dugan crushed it," Potter said. "Normally, we send it to the left post. But Simryn was right there ... it was beautiful. We kept [sophomore Sarah Korczukowski] back as a safety net. We played a full 80 minutes today, and we didn't have a single letdown."

Sophomore Julianna Valli notched her sixth goal of the season -- with an assist by Fenner -- and first since Oct. 6 as the Streaks jumped out to a 1-0 lead with about 6:15 left in the first half. With a two-goal lead in the second half, Warren Hills was seemingly in control and on its way to another title game.

But Millburn (13-7-2), which won its third sectional title and first since 1982 with a 3-2 win over Middletown South, rallied with a pair of second-half goals, including one by junior Meaghan Boehm -- her 19th of the season -- off a breakaway with 1:09 left in regulation to force overtime. Leading scorer Ella Singer's 20th goal made it a one-goal game earlier in the half.

"They had a lot of speed, which we struggled with," Potter said. "They are a very talented team. It was back and forth. I felt like we put on a little more offensive pressure in the overtimes."

Warren Hills, which has struggled on offense this season, has now scored three goals in three of the last four games, while Desai has three goals and two assists in that span. Dugan, who had scored goals in the three previous postseason games, kept her points streak going with an assist.

Warren Hills (19-5-1)                   1                1               0             1   --    3
Millburn (13-7-2)                          0                2               0             0   --    2

Scoring

First half -- WH, Julianna Valli, 6th, (Kate Fenner), 6:15.

Second half -- WH, Simryn Desai, 17th, 28:46; M, Ella Singer, 20th; M, Meaghan Boehm, 19th, 1:09.

Overtime -- WH, Desai, 18th, 10:17.

Shots -- Warren Hills 23; Millburn 14.

Saves -- Julia Webber 12 (WH); Raquel Winer 20 (M).

Penalty corners -- Warren Hills 12; Millburn 8.

Braves fall in G1 semis

Newton's bid for its first state finals appearance in 34 years ended with a 3-1 loss to Shore Regional in the Group 1 semifinals on Wednesday night at West Essex High School.

The Braves (15-6-1) saw their season end after winning the program's fourth North 1, Group 1 sectional title in five years last Thursday -- 1-0 in overtime against Belvidere. Veteran coach Lisa Bechtel's team, now 0-4 overall in state semifinal games, was also ousted by Shore in the 2014 and '15 Group 1 semifinals.

Senior forward Victoria Docherty, who scored the game-winning goal in the sectional final, cut Newton's deficit against Shore to 2-1 with her team-leading 17th goal. As was the case against Belvidere, freshman Sydney Pavlishin was credited with the assist.

Newton, which featured several underclassmen in the lineup at times this season, including Pavlishin, should contend for Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference Freedom Division and sectional titles in 2019.

Wrestling: Phillipsburg-High Point set to renew rivalry

Champion vs. champion.

Chalk one up for rivalries and tradition as High Point and Phillipsburg have agreed to wrestle an independent match this season on Friday, Jan. 18 in Wantage. Stateliners coach Dave Post confirmed the teams will meet for the 19th time in series history after shifting some dates on his schedule.

"We are very excited to rekindle this Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex rivalry," said Post, whose team will seek the program's sixth straight Group 4 championship this season. "Matches like this are critical to the survival of our sport."

High Point won the Group 2 title in 2018 -- its first championship since '14.

Phillipsburg, which finished 17-2 last season and is sitting on 957 wins as a program, encountered an opening on the schedule when its rivalry match against Easton (Pa.) had to be moved from Saturday, Jan. 19 to Wednesday, Jan. 30. The Red Rovers informed Post -- well after the 'Liners released their schedule to Open Mike in early July -- of a conflict with the original match date due to their participation in the Escape the Rock Tournament.

Post also recently reached out to Hanover Park coach and former Kittatinny standout Tyler Branham, who graciously agreed to move their match from Thursday, Jan. 17 to two days earlier, so P'burg would not have three in a row on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday that week. The 'Liners rarely, if ever, wrestle on a Friday night, but Post was willing to make an exception for this one.

High Point, the defending Group 2 champion, has also done some shuffling with its schedule. 'Cats coach John Gardner said his team has picked up matches against Pope John (Jan. 24) and South Plainfield (Jan. 19) due to being light on duals for the upcoming season. The Sussex County school will also be heading back to the Cheesehead Invitational in Wisconsin in early January, so it needed a few more in-state matchups.

P'burg claimed its 22nd state championship in 2017-18.

South Plainfield, the reigning Group 3 champion, is now in Group 2 this season. The Tigers, under new coach Steve Johnston, are a late addition to a quad at Toms River North on Saturday, Jan. 19 that also includes Delsea, which should be a strong contender for the Group 3 title. The High Point-South Plainfield clash could be a preview of the Group 2 final, though Hanover Park should be in the title mix as well.

P'burg owns a 17-1 edge over High Point in the all-time series, including a 62-6 rout in their last meeting at The Pit in 2015. High Point's lone victory was 30-22 on Jan. 31, 2009, at The Pit.

"You always know what you are going to get from coach Gardner's teams," Post said. "His athletes are a reflection of his style. They will be tough and unrelenting. This will be a great test for our wrestlers and will prepare them for the remainder of the season."

Here are the regular-season schedules for both teams. (Note: High Point dates may still be subject to change along with additions).

Phillipsburg schedule

Dec. 14-15 -- at King of the Mountain Tournament; Dec. 19 -- at Hillsborough; Dec. 22 -- at Newton; Dec. 28-29 -- at Bethlehem (Pa.) Holiday Classic; Jan. 2 -- Warren Hills; Jan. 3 -- Raritan; Jan. 5 -- Monroe Township; Jan. 9 -- Montgomery; Jan. 10 -- Kittatinny at The Pit; Jan. 12 -- Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament at Phillipsburg; Jan. 15 -- Hanover Park; Jan. 16 -- at North Hunterdon; Jan. 18 -- at High Point; Jan. 23 -- at Ridge; Jan. 24 -- Hunterdon Central; Jan. 26 -- at Southern; Jan. 30 -- Easton (Pa.); Feb. 1 -- at Delaware Valley; Feb. 2 -- at Ocean Township.

High Point schedule

Dec. 15 -- at Colt Classic; Dec. 18 -- Kittatinny; Dec. 22 -- Roxbury and Southern; Dec. 27 -- at Mustang Classic; Jan. 4-5 -- at Cheesehead Invitational (Wisconsin); Jan. 10 -- at Hackettstown; Jan. 12 -- Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament at Phillipsburg; Jan. 16 -- at Jefferson; Jan. 19 -- Delsea, South Plainfield at Toms River North; Jan. 22 -- Newton; Jan. 24 -- Pope John; Jan. 26 -- Lenape Valley, Cranford at Cedar Grove; Feb. 1 -- West Morris.

Back points

New Jersey coaches recently took part in a poll sent out by the NJSIAA regarding number of weight classes. Of the 176 votes cast, 33 percent (58 coaches) are in favor of reducing the number from 14 to 13. The other options were 11, 12 and 14 -- with about 22 percent casting votes across the board for those numbers, as 12 and 14 drew the least number of votes. According to executive director Larry White, any proposed changes would not take affect, if at all, until three or four years beyond this season. When speaking with legendary Nazareth (Pa.) coach Dave Crowell, who is heavily involved with the National Federation, last spring, it didn't seem like the possibility of reducing or changing the weight classes was a priority for the organization, despite the problem of increased forfeits. Crowell is in favor of increasing the number of dual meets, which he feels is key to increasing athlete and fan interest.

The sectional alignments for the 2018-19 season were recently made official. Open Mike first reported the new-look sections -- with Delaware Valley dropping to Group 1 for the first time in program history as the biggest change in the HWS area, along with Hunterdon Central and Howell, the Group 5 title contenders, being separated from the Central Jersey section, as the Rebels move to South Jersey. Kittatinny also returned to Group 1 after competing in Group 2 the past few seasons.

Girls wrestling in New Jersey is a reality starting this season and the weight classes for the upcoming season were recently revealed -- 100, 105, 111, 118, 127, 136, 147, 161, 185 and 225 pounds. These are subject to change, albeit slightly, as more data is gathered for the participants. Keep an eye on Phillipsburg junior Jewel Gonzalez, a strong contender to become the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex area's first girls state wrestling champion. Gonzalez had been competing with the boys on the JV level in previous seasons.

Field hockey: Streaks, Braves continue title chase

In a season that's been filled with adversity, Warren Hills' field hockey team should be a seasoned bunch as it takes another step toward a seventh straight state finals appearance.

The Blue Streaks (18-5-1), coming off a gritty 3-2 win in overtime against West Morris in the North 1, Group 3 sectional final -- the program's seventh consecutive championship -- will take on North 2 champion Millburn in the first meeting between the schools at 4 p.m. on Wednesday in the Group 3 semifinals at West Essex High School in North Caldwell.

Warren Hills celebrates the program's 16th sectional championship.

"This season has 100 percent been a challenge -- predominantly because of injuries," said second-year Warren Hills coach Josie Potter, whose teams are 7-1 overall in playoff games, including a 10-1 win over Colts Neck in last year's Group 3 semis (a program single-game record for postseason goals). "We've been fortunate -- as the hits keep coming, we seem to find a way to rebound and put together a great game."

Newton (15-5-1), which won the North 1, Group 1 sectional title, will take on Shore Regional in the Group 1 semifinals in the nightcap at 6 p.m. on Wednesday at West Essex. The Braves are seeking their school's first state finals appearance in 34 years.

The semifinal winners advance to the Group championships on Saturday at Bordentown Regional High School. Group 3 will be at noon, with the Group 1 final slated for 4 p.m.

Warren Hills, which has won four in a row and 11 of its last 12 games, is 2-4 in the program's six previous Group 3 title games -- winning its only championships in 2014 and '15 -- and 2-10 overall. The Streaks have not lost a state semifinal game since 2002 -- 1-0 to runner-up High Point -- and are 12-3 all-time in those matchups, while only six other New Jersey schools have won more sectional titles.

"After Hackettstown [a loss 1-0 in overtime in the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex final on Oct. 20], we said we were never going to lose again," Desai said.

Junior Samantha Dugan and sophomore Simryn Desai have been the offensive leaders this postseason for Warren Hills. Junior Kate Fenner, who shifted to the center midfield spot midway through the season, is making things happen, such as setting up Desai's winning goal against West Morris for the program's 686th victory. Sophomore Jenna Wyckoff has also scored some big goals. Her fifth of the season -- unassisted off a breakaway -- gave the Streaks a 2-1 lead in the sectional title game.

Coming out strong will be the key to moving on for Warren Hills.

"The first couple of minutes [against West Morris], our play was slow," Fenner said.

Dugan (12 goals), who also serves as the team's insert on penalty corners, has scored in all three postseason games and has 37 career goals, which ties her with former center midfielder Lauren Cuff (37 from 2000-02) for 16th place on the school's all-time list. Desai is enjoying a breakout season on the forward line, scoring her team-leading 16th goal to lift the Streaks in the sectional final.

"We're a team. We leave [the scoring] up to everybody," Desai said.

The defense, led by backs Kylie Compton and Emily Dvorsky, has yielded just six goals in its last 12 games, while junior goalie Julia Webber (10 shutouts) has been solid in the cage. Sophomore back Liz Schlaffer (left knee injury) missed the game against West Morris. Her status for Tuesday's game is unknown. Sophomore Angela Pawloski started and did a nice job in the sectional final, while sophomore Sarah Korczukowski has played a big role since moving to Fenner's spot in the backfield.

"She's done a really great job," Fenner said. "We have a similar style of play."

Millburn (13-6-2), which won its third sectional title and first since 1982 with a 3-2 win over Middletown South, is seeking the program's second state finals appearance and first since falling to Eastern in the 1979 Group 3 final.

Junior Ella Singer (19 goals, 16 assists), junior Meaghan Boehm (18 goals, 12 assists), senior Helen Liu (10 assists) and junior Olivia Regan (9 goals) are among the Union County school's offensive leaders.

Braves eyeing school history

Newton, which has never won a state title and made its only championship game appearance against Moorestown in 1984 after scoring a 3-0 win over Warren Hills in the Group 2 semifinals, faces a stiff test against a tough Shore program, which has won 14 Group 1 titles and ousted the Braves in the 2014 and '15 state semifinals -- 2-0 and 5-1.

Newton celebrates winning its fourth sectional title in five years.

Johnson, which handed Newton a 3-0 loss on Sept. 22 and dropped a 2-0 decision to Shore in the North 2 sectional final, is the only common opponent this year between the Group 1 semifinalists. Shore's only losses are to defending Group 2 champion Rumson-Fair Haven.

"We're going to give [Shore] a game," said veteran coach Lisa Bechtel, whose teams are 420-150-19 in her 29 seasons at the helm. "We didn't have [senior forward Lauren Barbato] against Johnson. We have tough kids and they're really resilient."

Newton, which has won a Sussex County-best 12 sectional titles, advanced with a thrilling 1-0 win in overtime against Belvidere on Friday.

Senior forward Victoria Docherty scored her team-leading 16th goal of the season -- off a feed from freshman Sydney Pavlishin -- and her 10th in the team's last eight games. Docherty has seven goals in Newton's four playoff wins -- all shutouts, including victories over NJAC rivals North Warren (6-0), Lenape Valley (4-0), and top-seeded Ramsey (2-0).

Senior Jade Luciani has scored three of her five goals this season in the team's previous six games, while junior Angela Melillo (6 goals), Pavlishin (7 assists) and Barbato (8 assists) are also among the offensive leaders for the Braves.

Shore (20-3) has won a remarkable 25 sectional titles -- which ranks fourth all-time behind West Essex (36), Moorestown (28) and Eastern (26) -- and is looking for its first trip to the Group 1 final since winning its 14th and last state championship in 2015.

Junior Lily Santi (42 goals, 20 assists) is the team's leading scorer, while senior Maggie Lamb (26 goals, 16 assists) and junior Isabella Saponaro (18 goals) round out a balanced offensive attack.

Public state semifinal matchups

Group 4

Morristown (12-5-2) vs. Bridgewater-Raritan (18-4-1), 6 p.m. at Boonton High School
Rancocas Valley (13-8) vs. Eastern (23-0), 4 p.m. at Hightstown High School

Group 3

Warren Hills (18-5-1) vs. Millburn (13-6-2), 4 p.m. at West Essex High School
Moorestown (20-1-1) vs. Ocean City (19-3-1), 6 p.m. at Hightstown High School

Group 2

West Essex (18-2-1) vs. Rumson-Fair Haven (20-1-1), 4 p.m. at Boonton High School
Seneca (15-6) vs. West Deptford (16-3-2), 4 p.m. at Egg Harbor Township High School

Group 1

Newton (15-5-1) vs. Shore (20-3), 6 p.m. at West Essex High School
Haddonfield (18-2-2) vs. Woodstown (16-5-2), 6 p.m. at Egg Harbor Township High School

Non-Public sectional final matchups

(Games to be played on Wednesday)

North

3-Kent Place (14-4-1) at 1-Oak Knoll (21-1)

South

4-Camden Catholic (14-5-3) at 2-Bishop Eustace (15-2-2)