From left to right, Mesropyan (IHA), Kerner (Highlands) and Gray (Kinnelon) led their teams to group state titles.
Historic, thrilling, brilliant, memorable, those are the words that come to mind when thinking back on this girls soccer season in North Jersey.
IHA snaps Northern Highlands 88-game unbeaten streak in dramatic fashion, then wins two thrillers in its final two games to finish the season ranked No. 1 in the nation.
Highlands rebounds from its first loss in four years by going on a dominating run in the state tournament, claiming its fourth straight Group 3 title in the process.
Kinnelon starts slow but turns it on late, knocking off several traditional small-school powers to win the Group 1 state championship.
Ramapo gets back in the state winner circle, Wayne Hills wins its second straight Passaic County title, Demarest and Pequannock make program history and so much more. Here are the 10 biggest story lines of the season, compiled by myself and Dave Meisel.
Top 10 North Jersey girls soccer stories from 2014Â
1. IHA Wins National TitleÂ
Immaculate Heart wrapped up a 22-0 season with a dramatic 1-0 double overtime win against Holy Cross in the Non-Public A finals. Alex Mesropyan scored the winner on a penalty in that one and also had the game-winner against Northern Highlands in the Bergen County tournament finals. That 2-1 win snapped the Highlanders 88-game unbeaten streak and catapulted the Blue Eagles to the No. 1 ranking in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America poll. They held onto that position with a 2-1 comeback win over Oak Knoll in the sectional finals and the last-minute win over Holy Cross. A dream season for the Blue Eagles with a perfect ending. Can’t get much better than that.
2. Northern Highlands four-peatsÂ
The Highlanders didn’t allow their loss to IHA ruin their season. Instead they used it as motivation to launch a dominating run in the state tournament. Northern Highlands outscored its six postseason opponents 20-0 on its way to its fourth straight Group 4 title. It’s last performance, a 4-0 win over Colts Neck in the final, was a masterpiece, highlighted by Hana Kerner’s hat trick. She’s headed to Virginia next year but left a lasting memory for all to remember. So did Northern Highlands this season, going 22-1 despite missing players for long stretches of the regular and post seasons.
3. Kinnelon Claims Group 1
After a rocky September, the Colts won their first game in October by an 8-1 margin over St. Elizabeth. In the match, six players scored. From then on, it seemed like every Kinnelon player wanted to step up. The team won nine out of ten October games, did not lose in November, finished 20-5-1 and completed its dream season with a 2-0 win over Shore in the state finals. Casey Gray led the Colts with an impressive 21 goals and 22 assists, but her attack partners, Sam VanZile and Emily Thiem, were also deadly in front of goal. Countless players contributed in the midfield, led by Sarah Rosenberg and Julia Kleczkowski. Finally, strong goalkeeping can be crucial to a tournament run as well and Emily Kapr was excellent, allowing just five goals in six state tournament games to go with ten shutouts on the season.
4. Ramapo Wins Sections
The Green Raiders had a fantastic state tournament run, winning their first sectional title since 2010 in their first year in North 1, Group 2. They made it to the state final too before falling 1-0 against Holmdel. But that loss won’t be what their season is remembered for. Ramapo was back in the Group final, just the way the 12-time group champions expect. It made it to the county semis, played IHA and Northern Highlands close twice during the season and was dominant in the state tournament, outscoring the opposition 20-1 before its loss. It also won coach Paul Heenehan’s 700th game. Memorable to say the least.
5. Wayne Hills two-peatsÂ
Nobody could keep up with Wayne Hills’ speed and technical prowess in the Passaic County Tournament, repeating as county champions without giving up a goal and scoring seven. The last, Sabrina Sirni’s double-overtime winner in the team’s 1-0 finals victory over Clifton, was the sweetest. It was a season highlighted by excellent on-field chemistry, with Meghan Griffin (18 goals), Sirni (12 goals), and Kat Adamchak (nine goals) being the beneficiaries on the stat line. Unfortunately, Pascack Valley had the Patriots’ number and handed them two 1-0 defeats, including in double overtime in the sectional quarterfinals. Nevertheless, Wayne Hills had advanced in the state tournament with a 3-0 win over Leonia and finished an impressive 16-3-1.
Pequannock Has Best Season Ever
Pequannock lost 2-1 to Madison in its season opener and did not look back, going 9-0-1 in its next ten and finishing 17-5-1 to complete its best ever season. During the unbeaten streak, it allowed just six goals. Goalkeeper Skyler Troast was a crucial element of the defense, topping 100 saves on the season. Dana Scillieri, Hannah Daley, and Carly Klimek all scored ten goals, giving the Golden Panthers a well-rounded attack. They acquitted themselves well in the state tournament despite not advancing past the state finals, defeating Lenape Valley 5-1 and upsetting Glen Rock 2-0 before losing to top-seeded Ramapo. A disappointing end does not take away from the team’s achievements in 2014, including impressive away victories over eventual state champion Kinnelon (2-1) and NJAC rival Morris Catholic (1-0).6. Pequannock has best season ever
7. Demarest wins first titleÂ
The Norsewomen put together the best season in program history, finishing with a 16-5-1 record and winning the Big North National division outright. That was the first title in program history and it was secured with a dramatic 1-0 double overtime win against Pascack Valley. Demarest also advanced to the sectional semifinals before losing in penalty kicks and the Bergen County tournament quarterfinals. Quite a season for a program hoping to make more of them.
8. Division champions crownedÂ
Plenty of great memories for plenty of great teams. Cliffside Park won the Big North American division title for its first title ever, that after two years where it won only 10 combined games. Ramsey won the Big North Patriot division title and made the sectional final for the fourth straight year. Lyndhurst won the NJIC Liberty for its first title since 2011 and beat New Milford for the first time since joining the division in 2012. Hasbrouck Heights won its 14th straight division title and Park Ridge won its third straight. Glen Rock, Wayne Hills Northern Highlands, IHA and Clifton also won their respective divisions.
9. No titles, Great seasons
Ridgewood was in the unlucky situation of playing in the same division as Northern Highlands, the same county as Highlands and IHA and the same section as Randolph and Montclair. It didn’t claim any of those titles, but it competed against the best in the state and held its own, nothing to scoff at. Pascack Valley beat Wayne Hills twice and Clifton once. It didn’t win its league (Demarest), County (IHA) or section (Highlands), but it held its own. River Dell couldn’t get past Ramsey in the league or section but made good runs at both.Wayne Valley was bested by Wayne Hills but made a strong postseason run. Dwight-Enlgewood had one of the top scorers in the state (Taylor Krakower, 57 goals). Plenty of other great seasons, performances and moments. Congrats to all.
10. CASL v. NJSIAA
The CASL tournament was the same weekend as the public Group state finals (Oct. 22), putting some players in the no-win situation of having to choose between high school or club. It was a tough situation, and the kids were stuck in the middle. Feel bad for them. Wish something could have been done to change the date of either tournament. But in the end it didn’t play a major role in the ubli group finals. Northern Highlands, Kinnelon, Montclair and Holmdel were the best teams that day. Of course the club v. high school debate goes much deeper than one weekend. But hopefully next year there won’t be a scheduling conflict that hurts the players.