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Field Hockey

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,…
West Morris' potent attack has been known to put pressure on opposing goalies.

No. 1 seed goes to Wolfpack

BOONTON _ For 30 minutes on Saturday, Sept. 24, West Morris stuck with Madison. The game continued to be scoreless into the early part of the second half. The Dodgers' had a three-goal flurry over a three-minute span and emerged with a 4-0 shutout over the Wolfpack. However, that result had no impact on the Morris County Field Hockey Tournament seeding meeting as seeds were determined solely by winning percentage and not votes. Therefore, West Morris (7-1) is the top seed for the 21-seed tournament, which concludes Tuesday, Oct. 18 at Boonton. Morristown, which was blanked 1-0 by the Wolfpack,…
Boonton's Adrianna Dika, right, battles for control of the ball with Morristown-Beard's KellyTatulli.

Mo-Beard ramps up attack

BOONTON _ Although there were more than 30 minutes left, an all-too-familiar feeling - queasiness - creeped in as Morristown-Beard got closer to halftime. The Crimson had a 1-0 edge over Boonton going into the break on Monday, Sept. 26 yet it definitely was not enough considering the way things have been going. "It was too close," said junior center back Katie Wright, who was responsible for Morristown-Beard's opening-half score. "One was not going to be enough. We didn't want overtime again. We had to get some more goals and seal the win early. We knew Boonton wanted to tie us…
West Morris edged Morristown 1-0 in action on Wednesday, Sept. 21.

Wolfpack's "D" denies Colonials

WASHINGTON TWP. (Morris) _ West Morris' defense was in top-notch form versus Morristown, denying the Colonials again and again and again, especially over the last 12 minutes. The Wolfpack, spurred by the relentless efforts of sweeper Morgan Schade, backs Jess Gutowski and Claire Caldarola and goalie Emily Egan, succeeded in keeping their persistent opponent off the scoreboard and ensured they'd walk off the field with a 1-0 victory on Wednesday, Sept. 21. And, according to senior center midfielder Jackie Drzewinski, who also played a significant role in the shutout, that was just a preview. "This shows what we're capable of,"…
Whippany Park prevailed 1-0 over Butler on a goal by Gillian Grassele.

Wildcats trim Bulldogs

BUTLER _ As a field hockey player and member of the marching band, Whippany Park's Jess Klein is delighted when things are executed with precision. Klein, a center midfielder, is a key component of the Wildcats' slick passing game. The regiment associated with performing on football weekends excites Klein, whose instrument is the baritone. On Monday, Sept. 12, Klein had one of the assists on the game's lone goal in the second half, helping Whippany Park to a 1-0 win over Butler in NJAC-Independence Division action. "Our teamwork has been great. Our passing has been perfect," Klein said. "We talk and get the…
Dodgers fall to Oak Knoll

Dodgers fall to Oak Knoll

MADISON _ The scoreboard was where reality resided: Oak Knoll 5, Madison 0. In the Dodgers' minds, though, they were victorious. In other years, this way of thinking likely would not be acceptable but, in the 2016 season opener, a bit of skewed logic was permissible. Madison, the defending NJAC-Liberty, Morris County Tournament and Group II titlist, denied the Royals, the Tournament of Champions runner-up, for 34 minutes and 58 seconds. The fact that the Dodgers, who graduated 12 seniors, seven of them starters, held Oak Knoll scoreless for that long certainly was an achievement. "I'm not disappointed at all," Madison coach Ann Marie Davies…
Madison took its season to the limit, going to the Tournament of Champions semifinals.

Dodgers fall in TOC semifinals

PLAINSBORO _ Madison attained the state group title it desired and considered its appearance in the Tournament of Champions a bonus. The Dodgers, though, didn't let down and stretched their season to the limit, going to overtime before falling 4-3 to Oak Knoll in TOC semifinal action on Wednesday, Nov. 18.
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