Girls Soccer - State Preview

Please note that I only focused on groups with Morris County Teams. I apologize to those left out - The Coach

North I - Group IV

(9) Morris Knolls at (1) Clifton: The Eagles were able to squeak into the states. Morris Knolls is led by standout Nicolette Radovcic. The eagles, now 8-7-1 defeated West Orange in the first round. One of Clifton’s two losses came at the hands of Morris Catholic. Clifton is ranked #12 in NJ by The Star Ledger. Knolls can pull an upset here, but Clifton’s tough out of conference schedule may have them ready for the Eagles.

(5) Livingston at (4) Montclair: Is currently ranked #1 13 in NJ by The Star Ledger. The Lancers had a nice span in mid-October with a 2-0 shutout victory over West Morris and a 3-2 win over Mt. Olive. Brooke Simandl and Kate Schwindel can score goals for the Lancers. Montclair has already beat Livingston 1-0 earlier this season. Expect another tight battle.

(6) Ridgewood at (3) Memorial: Ridgewood has beaten Belleville (8-0) and Paterson Eastside (9-0) during the last week in October. Memorial is now 15-2 and ranked #4 in Hudson County There’s always a fear playing Hudson county schools because you never know to expect. by The Star Ledger.

(7) Randolph at (2) Kearny: Randolph shut out Bergen County Tech in the first round of the states. Randolph has had hard luck and could not get past Roxbury this season. Shannon Maguire can knock it in for the Rams. The good news for the Rams is that they are the only IHC team on this side of the bracket. Kearney is now 16-3-1 and ranked #1 in Hudson County. The Rams are a lot better then their record and win here is possible.

North I - Group III

(9) Wayne Hills at (1) Wayne Valley: Wayne Hills knocked off High Point to advance to this round. Rachel Rosen scored two and Mallory Grossman added the third in a 3-1 victory. Hills will need keeper Sam Levine to come on big if they look to knock off undefeated and NJ’s #8 Wayne Valley. Throw the records out the window in the Wayne Rivalry, it’s all about pride. But Valley is strong and has scored 13 goals in the past three games, while not allowing a goal. Valley tied Clifton 0-0 earlier in October.

(5) Lakeland at (4) Northern Highlands: This looks to be a great match-up despite Highlands losing two games in the past week or so – losses to Ramsey and Pascack Valley. Lakeland is now 14-2-2 and is coming off a nice 3-2 victory over Caldwell.

(6) Sparta at (3) Roxbury: Roxbury, the Morris County Champions and maybe the most solid defensive team in Morris, hosts perennial the SCIL power. The Gaels are consistence, powerful and aggressive. Sparta comes in with 3 shutout wins last week over Newton, Vernon and Lenape Valley. Liz Sim scored two in the 4-0 victory over Vernon.

(7) Paramus at (2) Ramapo: Paramus defeated West Milford 5-0 to advance to this game. They are coming off a 2-1 loss to Nutley. Ramapo is ranked #2 in the state and many people’s choice to group 3 overall.

North I - Group II

(9) Tenafly at (1) River Dell: Risa Rabinowitz is the key scorer on the senior-laden team. River Dell won both by a combined score of 10-1. River Dell is the defending Group 2 sate champs and the team to beat again.

(5) Glen Rock at (4) Hasbrouck Heights: The Rock is enjoying a gret season, now at 14-3-1. A 2-0 victory over Kittatinny and a 3-0 win over Pompton Lakes capped another nice week for the Bergen County School. The Heights took it to St. Mary’s earlier in the week, 4-1 and now set their sights on the states.

(11) Pascack Hills at (3) Kinnelon: The Colts are no stranger to the playoffs and Morba and company are looking to make another run. After a tough exit from the MCT, the Colts need to regain focus on advancing in the states. Pascack Hills is athletic and physical with a solid defensive attitude.

(10) Ramsey/ (7) Westwood at (2) Pascack Valley: Valley comes in off a 1-0 victory over Northern Highlands, but suffered two straight losses to Pascack Hills and Ramapo, both by the score of 2-1.

North II - Group III

(8) Nutley at (1) Homdel: Apparently Homdel is north school? The MONMOUTH County School is 12-3-1 coming into the week. Nutley had to elude Rahway, 1-0 in roder to set up this north-south match up. Maria Perez’s goal boosted the Raiders. Megan Ginter scored twice a few days earlier as Nutley took down Paramus 2-1.

(5) Millburn at (4) West Morris Mendham: Mendham is a strong and stubborn team. You will have to fight to get near their net, and if you do, Melanie Pierson is tough to beat. Sarah Button, Dovlyn Curtis, Nicole Graziano and Sassy Wienstein are very agressive on the offensive.
Millburn is 13-5 and is coming off two explosive games, a 4-1 victory over St. Elizabeth’s and a 5-0 win over Mt. St. Dominic’s.

(6) Cranford at (3) Morristown: The Colonials are strong and cannot lapse if they plan on the making a run here. Morristown was one minute away from advancing to the MCT Semi-Finals before allowing a last minute goal and a shocking golden goal in the 1^st minute of OT. The Colonials are strong defensively and have a strong senior core. Cranford lost to Westfield 1-0 in the UCT last week. A 2-0 victory last week was a highlight for the Union County School.

(7) Fort Lee at (2) Scotch Plains: Fort Lee lost to Westwood 4-0 last week and will need to step up their play in order to pull the upset here. Scotch Plains is still alive in the UCT and scheduled to play Westfield. The 4^th seeded Raiders from SPF knocked off Gov. Livingston 3-0 as Jackie Law turned away 7 shots in net.

North II - Group II

(8) Parsippany at (1) Summit: The Hilltoppers have exploded with 22 goals in their past 4 IHC games. Summit has beaten Parsippany already 3-0 on October 12^th and 1-0 earlier on September 15^th. Summit has 2 loses to Chatham and a win here may lead to a 3^rd match up.

(5) Bernards at (4) Chatham: The Cougars were hit with injuries at the wrong time and suffered losses to Hanover Park and Morris Catholic in that span. Bernards has already beat Chatham, 2-1 on September 24, so this should be a good one!

(6) Hanover Park at (3) Rutherford: Hanover Park may have let out a sign of relief knowing the road to the finals does not mean a third match-up with an IHC Foe. Hanover can score in spurts once they get going and need to take advantage of playing new opponents. Rutherford outscored Dumont, Queen of Peace and Fort Lee 13-0 in a a week’s span during mid October.

(7) Lenape Valley at (2) Caldwell: The Chiefs have lost two to Lakeland in the past 9 days, but are enjoying a fine season now at 14-3. Lenape was 8-9-2 entering this week and are currently 0-2 out of the SCIL.

North A – Non-Public

(11) MSD at (3) Morris Catholic: The Crusaders suffered their first loss to Roxbury in the Finals of the MCT. Mount St. Dominic’s knocked of #6 Kent Place to advance. A win vs. MSD will match the Crusaders up with Union Catholic. The Vikings won the Mountain Valley Conference and lost to Westfield 3-1 in the Semi’s of the UCT.

North B – Non-Public

(6) MKA at (3) Villa Walsh: The Vikings are having a great October with their only set backs coming in the MCT and a 0-0 tie to Madison. They stand at 11-3-2. MKA’s last highlight came with a 3-0 victory over Morristown-Beard.

(7) Morristown-Beard at (2) Eastern Christian: Morristown-Beard did not enter the Girls’ Morris County Tournament. They would have qualified for the states since even if they lost their first game in the MCT. They are now 6-9 going into Thursday’s Game.