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Field Hockey

Sydney Fielding of Madison and Morgan Mendel of Newton vie for the ball in a Group I semifinal.

Madison triumphs; Colonials exit

MADISON _ Last season, Madison, which claimed a trio of titles, including the Group II state championship, was a dozen seniors strong. Seven of the seniors started, giving the Dodgers a highly talented and veteran team. Entering the 2016 campaign, Madison knew it'd be rebuilding but didn't utter the word very often or very loudly. On Thursday, Nov. 9, the Dodgers, relying more on camaraderie than abundant skill and a multitude of club players, dispatched Newton 4-1 in a Group I semifinal at Boonton High School to earn a third consecutive trip to the state finals. In the second game…
Morristown takes section

Morristown takes section

MORRISTOWN _ Despite the damage done by Morristown's Olivia Graham, Montclair coach Mary Pat Mercuro still had high praise for the dynamic sophomore forward. Graham had the ball on her stick often, highlighting the Colonials' 4-0 victory over the Mounties in the North Jersey Section 1, Group IV final on Friday, Nov. 4 with two goals. "I saw Morristown in the county tournament and against Mendham," Mercuro said. "Number 15. Olivia... Wow! I just love her. She's solid in every aspect of the game." Mercuro got a closeup look, of course, at Graham when Morristown garnered its first sectional crown…
Julia Aasmaa has played every position but goalie for the Mountain Lakes field hockey team. On Tuesday, Nov. 1, she scored the game's lone goal, leading the Lakers past Belvidere in a sectional semifinal.

Aasmaa, Mtn. Lakes advance

MOUNTAIN LAKES _ When the season began, Julia Aasmaa was playing right wing for Mountain Lakes. Since then, Aasmaa, a senior, has been well traveled, taking on every position but goalie. Her versatility has been invaluable, allowing coach Coleen Buckley to change up her lineup according to the team's needs. On Tuesday, Nov. 1, Aasmaa somehow was even more critical, scoring the lone goal when the second-seeded Lakers nipped third-seeded Belvidere 1-0 in a North Jersey Section 1, Group I semifinal. "Julia has been moved around a lot," Buckley said. "She's been on all three lines at some point. She's…
Lakers' defense thwarts LV

Lakers' defense thwarts LV

MOUNTAIN LAKES _ After gaining a one-goal lead in the opening half, Mountain Lakes' objective was to clog up the scoring circle. That meant that all of the Lakers, intent on denying Lenape Valley another score, were packed into the area immediately in front of the goalcage. The plan was successful but caused the Patriots to be awarded corner after corner in the North Jersey Section 1, Group I quarterfinal. Second-seeded Mountain Lakes was on edge for much of the last 30 minutes but managed to repel nine corner attempts and came out with a 2-1 victory over 10th-seeded Lenape Valley on Thursday, Oct.…
The Colonials celebrate their first Morris County Tournament championship since 1991.

Colonials end long drought

BOONTON _ A minimum of inspiration was needed for Morristown to capture its first Morris County Field Hockey Tournament title since 1991. Colonials junior back Julia Woodworth said much of the motivation needed to defeat top-seeded West Morris 1-0 in the final on Tuesday, Oct. 18 was derived from their shutout victory over five-time defending champion Madison three days before. "We had a big fire under us to win after the Madison game," said the elated Woodworth following the championship game at Boonton High School. "This is all really exciting. It was all so crazy. After the first goal, I…
West Morris celebrates its 2-0 Morris County Tournament semifinal win over Roxbury on Saturday, Oct. 15.

Colonials, Wolfpack in final

BOONTON _ Morristown's Devon Colquhoun made sure she found Madison's Elizabeth Romano after the conclusion of their Morris County Tournament semifinal. Colquhoun, who effectively invaded Romano's personal space in order to thwart the explosive scorer and playmaker, wanted to get even closer afterwards, to hug her and say a few kind words. So did several of her teammates. "I really respect Elizabeth and wanted her to know that," said Colquhoun, whose all-out defensive effort was critical in the second-seeded Colonials' 2-0 upset of the five-time defending champion Dodgers on Saturday, Oct. 15. "The tournament means a lot to her. I told her…
West Morris advanced to the MCT semifinals with a 5-1 win over Montville on Saturday, Oct. 8.

West Morris tops Montville

MOUNT OLIVE _ It was a convincing win, one in which West Morris dominated in every way. Wolfpack coach Courtney Barnett, no doubt, didn't want to be critical about her team's play after a 5-1 Morris County Tournament quarterfinal win over Montville on Saturday, Oct. 8 but couldn't help but notice that the passing was ragged and didn't flow at times. Normally, that wouldn't be a major concern as long as the result was a victory. However, with two games against Roxbury looming, including an MCT semifinal, Barnett, although pleased to advance in the tournament, was quick to mention the lack of…
Roxbury players celebrate their Morris County Tournament victory over Randolph on Thursday, Oct. 6.

Roxbury advances to semis

RANDOLPH _ The Roxbury players piled on top of each other for several photos, ones that would preserve the memory of what had previously seemed impossible and improbable. Twenty minutes after their 1-0 victory over fourth-seeded Randolph in a Morris County Tournament quarterfinal, the Gaels were still giddy and rightfully so. Roxbury, sparked by Kayla Bedel-Franklin's goal with 12:01 remaining and the exceptional defensive play of center back Maggie Dacey, gained its first berth in the MCT semifinals by edging out their longtime rival. "This is just so exhilirating," said Bedel-Franklin, who scored off a rebound. "It's the best feeling ever. Everything finally paid…
Parsippany's Sarah DiPippa, left, tries to move the ball as Parsippany Hills' Jillian Rogers defends.

Red Hawks beat Vikings

PARSIPPANY _ Over its last five games going into its matchup with sister school Parsippany Hills, Parsippany had a mere two goals. Four of those teams had held the Red Hawks scoreless. So, when the Vikings got on the scoreboard first, courtesy of Brittany Bonin's goal, Parsippany's players couldn't help but feel unsettled. Their spirits immediately sank. "I think we panicked a bit," Red Hawks coach Rebecca Lilienthal said. "We were letting them control the pace." With 10 minutes left before halftime, Parsippany, which received a hat trick from sophomore center forward Olivia Buccarielli en route to a 5-1 victory on Wednesday,…
Colonials move on in MCT

Colonials move on in MCT

MORRISTOWN _ To Morristown, the thought of clashing with Mendham so early in the Morris County Tournament was unsettling. For more than two seasons, the Colonials have been on the losing side when playing the Minutemen. Their last win over Mendham was on Oct. 17, 2013. So, after a scoreless first half in a MCT opening-round game and a missed penalty stroke, Morristown, despite dominating, had reason to be even more concerned. Devon Colquhoun, a junior center midfielder, eased the anxious situation by scoring what proved to be the decisive goal 6:14 after halftime, sending the second-seeded Colonials past 15th-seeded Mendham,…
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