Field Hockey
Middle Township made history by winning the program’s first ever South Jersey Group I sectional title on Nov. 3 by defeating third-seeded Schalick, 7-2. Jenna Herlihy and Carly Gombar scored in the first half to lead the Panthers 2-1. Herlihy, the state’s goal-scoring leader, scored another goal right off of the whistle to give Middle an early 3-1 lead in the second half. Goals by Caroline Gallagher, Gia Conte, Skylar Gentilini and Abby Thompson throughout the second half put the game out of reach for the visiting Cougars. Middle Township will meet Central Group I champion Haddonfield in the Group I semifinals on Nov. 9. The Panthers set a program-best record of 17-1-2.
Ocean City won their fifth straight South Jersey Group III sectional title on Nov. 4 by defeating Cumberland Regional, 6-1. Rialee Allen led the Red Raiders with three goals and two assists. Julia Herrington, Grace Steele and Nicholl Fenton each added goals in the victory. Ocean City will take on Central Group III champion Moorestown in quest for the state title.
Boys’ Soccer
In the first round of the group stage of state playoffs on Oct. 31, No. 2 Middle Township hosted No. 15 Oakcrest and won, 2-0, in Group II. Christian Rafter scored a penalty kick in the first half and assisted Trent Canter’s goal in the second half for the Panthers. Top-ranked Ocean City hosted No. 16 Timber Creek in Group III and won, 3-0. Matt Brook, Jimmy Fluckey and Andrew Tomaino scored for the Red Raiders. In Group I, ninth-ranked Wildwood fell 2-1 on the road at eighth-ranked Woodstown. Dennis McAllister scored for the Warriors in the first half. Tenth-ranked Lower Cape May traveled to seventh-ranked Haddonfield and fell, 6-0, in Group II.
After a first-round bye in the Non-Public B South group, No. 2 Wildwood Catholic hosted No. 7 Timothy Christian in the quarterfinal round on Nov. 3 and won, 2-0. Olaf Feria scored for the Crusaders in the first half and Ryan Legler scored in the beginning of the second half. In the Group II quarterfinals, No. 7 Haddonfield upset No. 2 Middle Township with a first half penalty kick goal. Nik Anagnou made six saves for the Panthers. In Group III, top-ranked Ocean City fell 1-0 to No. 8 Hammonton late in the second half.
In the semifinal round of the Non-Public B South group, second-ranked Wildwood Catholic hosted No. 6 Holy Cross and won, 5-4, in penalty kicks. After a scoreless first half and down a goal, Beck Lindsay tied the game for the Crusaders in the second half. Goalkeeper Anthony Zampirri scored the game-winning penalty kick in the victory. Wildwood Catholic will move on to play in the Non-Public B South sectional final on Nov. 10.
Girls’ Soccer
In the first-round of the group stage of state playoffs on Nov. 1, No. 5 Middle Township hosted No. 12 Pinelands Regional in Group II and won, 2-0. After a scoreless first half, Lauren Nelson and Kira Sides scored for the Panthers to secure the win. In Group III, No. 5 Ocean City hosted No. 12 Central Regional and won, 3-2. Tori Rolls led the Red Raiders with two goals and Sadie Ford added one. In Group I, No. 12 Wildwood traveled to No. 5 Clayton and fell, 7-1. Mia Nacho had the lone goal for the Warriors. In Group II, No. 16 Lower Cape May fell 6-0 on the road at top-ranked Cinnaminson. In Non-Public B, No. 12 Wildwood Catholic fell 6-0 at No. 5 Holy Spirit. Lauren Moretti made seventeen saves for the Crusaders.
In the quarterfinal round on Nov. 4, No. 5 Middle Township hosted No. 13 Delran in Group II and won, 4-2, in penalty kicks. Emma Stanford scored the tying goal in the first half for the Panthers. After remaining tied at 1-1 in regulation and two overtimes, Middle Township goalkeeper Krista Salvadore scored the game-winning penalty kick for the victory. The Panthers moved on to face the top-ranked Group II team, Cinnaminson, on Nov. 8. In Group III, No. 5 Ocean City traveled to No. 4 Toms River South and won, 2-1. Rylee McDonnell and Tori Rolls each scored for the Red Raiders. Ocean City will host ninth-seeded Seneca in Nov. 9’s Group III semifinals.