The Ladies Elegant Eight

Who dat? Where and When?

• Sunday - 12:00: #7 Mendham at #2 Roxbury




• Sunday - 1:00: #11 Mt. Olive at #3 Randolph




• Sunday - 2:30: #8 Chatham at #1 Morris Catholic




• Sunday - 2:30: #5 Kinnelon at #4 Morristown

At stake: A trip to the Final Four and advancement to in the MCT. Winners play at Morris Catholic back to back next Sunday.

What to expect: These are four really intriguing match-ups. Mt. Olive and Randolph features two Iron Division foes who are vary familiar with each other. The rest is the first time match-up. One thing’s for sure, nerves must be left on the bus. Too many times, an early goal can decide a game because a team is a little shell shocked by the “importance” of an MCT game.

What to avoid: As previously stated, early game jitters, it’s just another game … go play! Stick with what got you’re here. Obviously, a team may need to adjust a bit to match up with their opponent or take advantage of a beneficial situational or match-up, but you’ve come this far … play your game!

Game #1: Sunday 12:00 Mendham at Roxbury: Mendham and Knolls played a tough in your face defense that denied each team to advance and create quality chances. You should really expect the same this weekend. If Mendham has chances from the corner, a place where Sassy Weinstein is right at home developing play, Mendham can find an opening. Roxbury on the other hand excels at getting the ball to net, and at the same time, excels at not allowing their opponents an offensive charge. Roxbury learned early what can happen when the defense relaxes, but the Gaels have held to their early season promise to play 80 minutes. This may go longer …

Going into Sunday: Mendham defeated Chatham 2-1 and improved to 8-3. Jackie Krostek’s late goal gave the Minutemen their second victory over the Cougars this year. Mel Pierson was strong in net with 12 saves. Mendham defeated Morris Knolls 1-0 last Sunday to advance to the quarterfinal round. Photos http://www.printroom.com/ViewGallery.asp?userid=VinnyC01&gallery_id=868031; Video Highlights: Mendham 1-0 Mo. Knolls Mendham travels to West Essex today (Friday), while Roxbury was rained out on Thursday vs. Morrstown – but the game is scheduled for today at 4:00. Roxbury defeated Mtn Lakes 5-0, jumping to a 4-0 lead at the half.

Game #2 Sunday - 1:00: Mt. Olive at Randolph: Meeting #2 for the Rams and the Marauders. Alyssa Hackleberg and company shut out Mt. Olive in the first week of the season. Mt. Olive is the only sub-500 team left in tournament, but do not let their record fool you. Anything can happen in the MCT … and it usually does.

Going into Sunday: Danielle Crowley scored the lone goal to propel Mt. Olive to the upset victory a week ago, Sunday. Courtney Burghardt stopped all 9 shot West Morris threw at her. Randolph jumped to an early 2-0 lead before eliminating Parsippany Hills. Leah Endelman scored twice, both in the first half, for the Rams in the MCT victory. Mt. Olive is schedules to play Belvidere today.

Game #3 Sunday - 2:30: Chatham at Morris Catholic: The Crusaders are rolling along and are currently at 11-0. The Crusaders had a few close ones early, a couple one goal wins over Newark Academy and MKA. But have since turned it up a notch, the latest, a 2-0 victory over Peddie. Chatham is actually in a good spot, being that the Cougars play all home games on turf. This lessens that home-turf advantage usually faced by a home-grass playing team.

Going into Sunday: Morris Catholic defeated Morris Hills 4-1, while Chatham knocked off Villa Walsh. The Cougars, now 9-3 are looking to rebound from a 2-1 loss to Mendham and knock off the #1-seed. Morris Catholic looks to keep their winning streak alive at home in the second game of a Soccer double-header held hosted Denville.

Game #4 Sunday - 2:30: Kinnelon at Morristown: This is the most intriguing game and forerunner for the MCHSS.net marquee match-up. Kinnelon, now 9-1-2, know that they are up against a physical and battle tested Morristown Squad. The postponement of Thursday’s game to today may be a blessing for Kinnlelon. The Colts host Verona today, a team they defeated 6-1 in mid-September. The Colts seem to be healthy and that only spruces up the scoring power of the Morba-Flood connection. Morristown also has 9 wins to their credit. The Colonials also present a balanced scoring combination with Becky Arndt and Kerry Prime. Brenna Lade has been sharp for the Colonials and may be forced to answer a few calls on Sunday.

Going into Sunday: Morristown with a 9-2-1 record will only have one day to rejuvenate after what will be a hard fought battle with Roxbury today. Kudos to both Roxbury and Morristown, who could have easily pushed the game after this weekend. This will defiantly be a battle as was their first meeting – Video & Story: 9/15 – Girls Soccer Roxbury 2 - 0 Morristown with photos at Girls Soccer- Roxbury 2 - 0 Mo-town. and Morristown, who could have easily pushed the game after this weekend. Kinnelon defeated Parsippany 2-1 in the previous round. Morristown shut out an explosive Hanover Park Squad, 3-0.