Field Hockey MCT: Final 4

The 2007 Morris County Tournament is now down to four. Last year, Madison defeated Boonton in the finals last year on the turf at Madison. It was Madison’s 13th Morris County Championship. Morristown will host Pequannock. The Colonials we also knocked out last year by a semifinal loss to Madison.

Game Schedule

Semifinal’s -- Saturday October 13th

• Boonton at Madison 11:30AM – at Madison HS
• Pequannock at Morristown 2:00PM – (Harter Road Complex)

Finals will be on Saturday, October 20th at Mountain Lakes.

Boonton at Madison:

Boonton: The Bombers earned the #4-seed. They are ranked #6 in Group 1, #3 in Morris by The Star Ledger. I would think they are right on the fringe of the top 20 since the defeated #12 Pingry on October 2nd by a score of 2-1. The Bomber avenged an opening day 2-0 loss. Last year’s MCT runner-up are currently 10-1-3 and coming off a 3-0 shutout victory over Glen Ridge.

Marquee win: You guessed it, handing Pingry their sole loss of the season, as mentioned above.

How the Bombers got here:

• Defeated #13 Mount Olive: A 1-0 victory, a game kept close by Mt. Olive’s standout keeper Nicole Diana. The Bombers peppered the sharp keeper with 15 shots. Renee Norton scored the game winning goal.


• Defeated #5 West Morris: Norton strikes again. The senior sniper gave the Bombers a quick 1-0 lead. Norton set up Kim Poniken later in the second half and led Boonton back to the Semi-finals with a 2-0 victory. This time, it was the Bombers net minder that needed to stand tall. Megan Bosland thwarted the Highlanders offensive attack, stopping all 13 shots.

What you can expect for the Bomber to pull the upset: It’s a simple fact that Boonton does not have the offense prowess of the Dodgers. Not only that, but the visitors are not as familiar with the turf as their host. Madison has 5 players on top of the County’s goal scoring list even before Jess Baker is listed at #14. So how? Defense has to choke the Dodgers’ attack and play the game of their young lives. Bosland needs to make the key saves, and at the same time kick away the rebounds. Passes across the crease cannot be allowed. Corners must be kept to minimum.

Madison: What can be said about the high powered Dodgers that has not already been stated. This is one great team. You’re talking about a high school team with skills that are at the same level as many college players. (* And yes, I was in attendance at more than a few D-III game in the past few years. *) Madison was voted the #1-seed and deservedly so. The returning MCT champions are currently ranked #4 in New Jersey by The Star Ledger, #2 in Group 2 behind West Essex. The Dodgers last game was a 3-0 victory over Millburn – improving to a perfect 12-0 on the season.

(* Image courtesy of www.njsi.net *)

Marquee win: All of the Dodgers win have been very impressive, including a 7-0 victory over #4-seed Pequannock earlier in September. The 4-0 victory over Knolls as well as 3-0 triumph over Millburn rank right up there.

How the Dodgers got here:

• Defeated #16 Butler: After defeating Butler 5-0 just a few days earlier, the Dodgers exploded for 12 against the Bulldogs. Eight different Dodgers connected for Madison. Emily Kole had three.


• Defeated #8 Morris Knolls: Madison defeated Morris Knolls 4-0. The Dodgers held the potentially aggressive Golden Eagle offense to only two shots. Taylor Siegrist scored two of the four goals.

What you will in Dodger win: Just play their game. It’s no secret that Madison can score. The Dodgers can and will control the ball for almost the entire game. The Dodgers pass with extreme accuracy, which is only magnified on turf. They’re fast. Defensively, they’re very strong. Boonton will have a hard time gaining the lead, especially if Madison gets an early lead.

Pequannock at Morristown:

Pequannock: The #3-seed is currently 12-1, a fantastic season by any means. Their only loss was to Madison. The Golden Panthers are currently ranked #4 by the Star Ledger in Morris County and #6 in Group 2.

Marquee win: I am going with a 1-0 victory over Millburn, although the 2-1 victory over Mtn Lakes is also a great one.

How the Panthers got here:

• Defeated #14 Randolph: Kelsey Finocchiaro scored both goals for Pequannock as the Golden Panthers advanced in an extremely relentless defensive battle. Pequannock improved to 9-1 with the opening MCT victory.


• Defeated #6 Mountain Lakes: Kelsey Finocchiaro got Pequannock on the scoreboard first, her third goal in the two MCT games. Bridget Morstatt scored the game winner early in the second half. The goal held and the Panthers advanced to the Semi-final round. Allie Liberato recorded 10 saves and held off a potent Laker’s attack.

What you can expect for the Panthers to advance: Again, no secret. Pequannock needs to control the tempo, slow down Morristown and convert … all while limiting Morristown’s chances in front of the net. Pequannock’s defense has been stellar and you can expect the same. Liberato will have to come up big and not allow the Colonials get a 2 or 3 goal lead. Finocchiaro will also continue her MCT scoring streak.

Morristown: The #2-seed is still undefeated at 12-0-1. The Colonials are coming in off of a 3-0 shutout victory over Mt. Olive. Morristown is currently ranked #9 in New Jersey by The Star Ledger and #2 in Group 3.

Marquee win: A 4-1 victory over Morris Knolls really sent a statement. Read about the early season Victory: Click here.

How the Colonials got here:

• Defeated #15 Morris Hills: The Colonials exploded for four 1st-half goals. Ali Blankmeyer and Caitlin O’Keeffe both contributed with two goals a piece. Danielle Rudolph scored the fifth. Morristown launched 15 shots at the Morris Hills’s Keeper. The win improved Morristown to 7-0 on the season.


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  Defeated #7 Mendham: Kelly Duggan and Danielle Randolph connected for the Colonials. The 2-0 victory enabled Morristown to advance to the Semifinal round.

What you can expect for the Colonials to advance: Morristown moves the ball extremely well down the field. They have a definitely sense of where the next pass is going to be. Morristown will need to convert on corners and obviously hold Pequannock to a minimum amount of corners. Morristown is undefeated for a reason and very fun to watch. If the Colonials get to open play up and keep the ball moving, they are great at creating scoring channels and even batter at crashing the net.