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Field Hockey

Madison's attack pressured Rumson-Fair Haven in its sectional semifinal for the entire game, taking 19 shots on goal.

Madison moves into semifinals

MADISON _ The desire to score was evident with each pass and with each stop. Madison pressed and pressed, bringing the ball into the circle and close to the goalcage for much of its North Jersey, Group II quarterfinal against Rumson-Fair Haven. It became more frenetic in the fourth quarter  as the Dodgers took corner after corner. Junior center forward Ally Brosie put an end to the tension, connecting with authority from the right side with 10:11 remaining to lift Madison to a 1-0 win over RFH, whose goalie, Amanda Gettings, and defense were unwilling to yield. "It was a…
DiBiase, Chatham make it two in a row

DiBiase, Chatham make it two in a row

BOONTON _ A long 40 days passed before Chatham's Brooke DiBiase had the opportunity to redeem herself. DiBiase wanted another chance at a penalty stroke. Badly. The image of the ball going wide left in the Cougars' opener versus Bernards stayed with her. Imagine how DiBiase felt before and after stepping to the stroke line 6:30 into the third quarter of the Morris County Tournament Field Hockey final on Tuesday, Oct. 18. A little queasy? Definitely. That uneasiness quickly turned to confidence and determination then, ultimately, to elation when DiBiase, a senior forward, lifted the ball into the left side…
Chatham was euphoric after topping Randolph, 1-0, in a MCT semifinal on Oct. 15, 2022.

Cougars will get second shot at Mtn. Lakes

BOONTON _ Natalie Duke's goal, the fourth of her career, had an abundance of meaning behind it. First of all, it was the gamewinner against Randolph in a Morris County Field Hockey Tournament semifinal on Saturday, Oct. 15, and propelled Chatham into the title game. It also was a reminder that the defending champion Cougars remain a force to be reckoned with. "This whole team is working so hard," said Duke, who connected off a corner 5:49 into the fourth quarter. "It felt good to finish and to show that. Everyone did something. Everyone. We got the word out there.…
Mountain Lakes' Kaylin Oey, left, chases down the ball as Boonton's Jackie Martinez closes in.

Unbeaten Lakers are enjoying the ride

BOONTON _ Mountain Lakes' Melina Penniston's AP course load leads to sleep deprivation and, sometimes, the senior center midfielder is flatout punchy. Penniston, though, always finds the energy to play field hockey and is an integral part of the Lakers' attack. On Saturday, Sept. 17, Penniston was a force on attack, helping Mountain Lakes to a 2-1 victory over Boonton. Immediately after sophomore forward Kaylin Oey scored the goal with 2:54 remaining in the third quarter, Penniston and Oey engaged in what has become a ritual, using their sticks as hobby horses and riding in a circle. "We began doing…
Chatham players gather for a selfie after their MCT final win over West Morris on Tuesday, Oct. 19.

Cougars repel Rams for MCT title

BOONTON _ Chatham's defense made it all look so easy. Tasked with having to protect their goal line against 19 corner attempts by top-seeded Randolph, the Cougars stopped an incredible 18 of them in the Morris County Tournament Field Hockey final on Tuesday, Oct. 19. The Rams often swarmed the circle yet third-seeded Chatham was steely and resistant, sending the ball out all but once. Mia Sciacchitano snapped a 1-1 deadlock with 6:16 remaining to seal the Cougars' 2-1 victory and earn them their first MCT championship in 11 years. "This is amazing," said Sciacchitano, a sophomore right wing, of…
Brooke DiBiase, left, scored Chatham's first goal in a 2021 MCT semifinal.

MCT final is set: Randolph vs. Chatham

  BOONTON _ Recognizing and writing down fears has long been the first step in attempting to overcome them.   Chatham took the practice several steps further after its workout on Friday. The players wrote what upsets them on white ceramic plates then smashed them to ensure the fears would disappear.   The motivational session was a great success and several Cougars players felt it played a significant role in their 2-0 victory over seventh-seeded West Morris in the Morris County Field Hockey Tournament semifinals.   In the second semifinal on Saturday, Oct. 23, top-seeded Randolph shut out fifth-seeded Morristown,…
Chavez scores 1st goal; Pequannock triumphs

Chavez scores 1st goal; Pequannock triumphs

MONTVILLE _ Victoria Chavez came close to scoring a goal for Pequannock quite a few times this season. "I kept missing by this much," said Chavez, a senior midfielder, holding her thumb and middle finger a half inch apart then decreasing the gap even more as she recalled her squandered opportunities. "I'm so glad it went in." Chavez, who collected a pass from Sam Blahut, registered what proved to be the gamewinner off a corner with no time left in the second quarter of a Morris County Field Hockey Tournament first-round game on Saturday, Oct. 2. The 11th-seeded Golden Panthers…
Katie Lachanski of Randolph and Mendham's Clara Bravstein chase down the ball.

Rams finish, nip Mendham

MENDHAM _ Randolph's Riley Novak doesn't understand what it means to be tired. Novak, the Rams' center midfielder, refuses to stop, going all out every minute of each day, especially during field hockey. A first-year starter, Novak fits in perfectly at the high-profile position amidst nine senior starters. On Thursday, Sept. 22, Novak provided stellar all-around play and Sarah Bona notched two goals to help Randolph trim Mendham 2-1 in NJAC-American Division action to send their record to 5-1. "We're doing a good job of dominating games. However, we've been struggling to score," said Rams coach Gina Adickes. "Our feet…
Pequannock's Jess Pierson, No. 4, scores the Golden Panthers' second goal in the fourth quarter.

Panthers repeat as sectional champs

PEQUANNOCK TWP. _ The feat was extraordinary - back-to-back sectional championships - and the Pequannock field hockey players were intent on reveling in it. The Golden Panthers whooped it up as a team then celebrated with their parents and fans after the 2-0 victory over Belvidere that propelled them to the North West A title on Saturday, Nov. 21. Pictures were taken. Well-deserved postgame treats were consumed. Smiles and laughter were abundant but there were a few tears, too, and sadness from the realization that the stellar, cohesive group had played together for the very last time. "Most of these…
Last season, Pequannock defeated Boonton to claim its first sectional title in 16 years.

Pequannock moves on in states

PEQUANNOCK TWP. _ Pequannock displayed a well-balanced attack, hitting on all cylinders on the front line, in the midfield, on defense and in the goaltender's cage. And, because of it, the resilient Golden Panthers earned a hard-fought 2-0 victory over a quality Lenape Valley team in the North West A state tournament sectional semifinal on Friday, Nov. 20 at Pequannock High School. Top-seeded Pequannock (12-1) will play second-seeded Belvidere (8-3-1) in the North West A final on Saturday, Nov. 21 at 2 p.m. The County Seaters from Warren County defeated third-seeded Newton, 2-0, in the bracket's other sectional semifinal. Senior…
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