Top stories for North Jersey girls soccer from September 16-17…
Northern Highlands’ Eva Hurm connecting on her go-ahead goal against Ramapo on Wednesday. The goal proved to be all Highlands would need in a 1-0 win. (Photo courtesy of Jeff Spatz)
1.) No. 1 Northern Highlands holds on against No. 5 Ramapo in 1-0 win on Wednesday
Northern Highlands’ Eva Hurm capitalized on a lengthy lead pass from Madison Kahn from about 18 yards out in the 14th minute Wednesday, with the Notre Dame-bound speedster beating the fast-approaching goaltender to the ball and deftly one-timing one into the back of the net. The early goal would prove to be all the Highlanders would need in a showcase featuring two Big North Freedom Division rivals, though it was evident the Green Raiders came to play just days after being upset by Indian Hills, 2-1. Ramapo had its fair share of chances, especially over the final 45 minutes or so, and showed why it is still very much a contender in both Bergen County and Group 2. It was Highlands’ 10th straight win, dating back to last season, and the Highlanders are now 97-1-1 in their last 99 games, dating back to the start of the 2011 season (incorrectly tweeted Wednesday night it was 98-1-1 over last 100, but NH has played only 99 games since then. Highlands can get to that mark with a win its next time out).
Team shot of Indian Hills during its 2-1 double overtime win over Ridgewood on Wednesday. It was the Braves’ second straight upset win. (Photo courtesy of Danielle Connolly)
2.) No. 19 Indian Hills does it again, as Braves knock off No. 8 Ridgewood, 2-1, in double overtime
In a span of five days, Indian Hills took down preseason No. 3 Ramapo, 2-1, and preseason No. 4 Ridgewood, 2-1. First-year coach Mike Menzella, it seems, is wasting no time in turning the Braves into contenders. Playing the hero role on Wednesday was Kelly Yadoff, who scored the game-winner in double overtime. Against Ramapo, it was Yadoff — only a sophomore — giving the Braves an early 1-0 lead. Another sophomore, Ann Wray, notched another 10 saves in the win. Wray has collected a total of 22 saves in Indian Hills’ latest two wins. In a battle featuring two of North Jersey’s early-season surprises, the Braves will take on Paramus on Saturday. Then a trip to No. 1 Northern Highlands awaits on Monday.
Mahwah’s Sarah Jordan tied the game at 2-2 in the second half on Wednesday at River Dell in an eventual tie.
3.) No. 9 Mahwah picks up ‘good tie’ at No. 4 River Dell on Wednesday
It’s shaping up to be a full-season dogfight in the Big North Patriot Division, with Wednesday night providing further evidence. Mahwah and River Dell tied, 2-2, on Wednesday with Mahwah jumping ahead, 1-0, on a Nikki Roberts goal in the first half, River Dell scoring two straight from Lucy Almberg and Julie McGovern just before half, and Mahwah junior Sarah Jordan — who is off to a terrific start (2 goals, 4 assists in two games) — scoring the equalizer in the 52nd minute. “It’s a good tie for us, River Dell is always a team to contend with,” Mahwah coach Courtney Carrelha told The Record’s Sarah Moomaw. “I’m very proud of our girls, especially coming back from behind. They’ve got tons of heart.” Between River Dell and Mahwah, reigning champ Ramsey, always-contending Pascack Hills and an improved Westwood team, don’t expect a runaway champion in the Patriot this year.
4.) Unranked Midland Park serving notice, most recently tying No. 18 Park Ridge on Thursday
The Panthers, the first team on the outside looking in regarding the Top 25, picked up their second key tie against a ranked opponent on Thursday, finishing in a 1-1 draw against No. 18 (and unbeaten) Park Ridge (3-0-1). In Midland Park’s season-opener, it tied No. 24 Pompton Lakes, 3-3, and has picked up wins over Mary Help and Emerson in between. On Thursday, Jenna Passero struck for her fourth goals of the year off an assist from Emma Lein in the second before Park Ridge’s Claire Perez sent one home at the midway mark of the half for the equalizer. Julie Carey finished with 10 saves for Midland Park, which has held a second-half lead in both ties to Pompton and Park Ridge.
5.) Unranked Hawthorne improves to 3-0 after 1-0 win over No. 24 Pompton Lakes
The Bears, mentioned in “Teams to keep an eye on” in Wednesday’s Top 25 breakdown, picked up a big 1-0 win over Pompton Lakes on Thursday, getting the lone score of the game from Nicole Bertolio in the first half, while Madison Noordeloos finished with a four-save shutout. After lopsided wins over Garfield, 8-0, and Manchester, 7-0, a win over a quality Cardinals team was a nice early-season signature victory. Bertolio (four goals and three assists this season) and Samantha Calkins (five goals, one assist) have paced the Bears’ offense thus far.
6.) Top half of Big North National — NV/Demarest, NV/Old Tappan and Pascack Valley — all roll
It’s shaping up to be a competitive three-team race in the National, with No. 12 Demarest defeating Tenafly, 4-0 (Izzy Urquiola 1 goal, 1 assist)… No. 13 NV/Old Tappan defeating Teaneck, 8-0 (Kelly Walsh 2 goals, 2 assists; Jordan DeCresente 2 goals, 1 assist; Emily Crevani 2 goals)… and No. 14 Pascack Valley defeating Bergenfield, 7-0 (no stats received).
QUICK HITS
No. 6 Paramus, in its first game back since its big 2-1 win over Ridgewood, took care of business over Hackensack on Wednesday with a 6-0 win. Julia Koenemund scored twice and Kaitlyn Scrivanich (the hero vs. Ridgewood) and Lorraine Moffitt both provided one goal and one assist. Needing just one save, senior goalie Nicole DePasquale earned her 21st career shutout to tie a Paramus school record.
No. 10 Ramsey, looking to bounce back after suffering a 3-2 loss to Mahwah, responded with a convincing 5-0 win on Wednesday over No. 23 Westwood (who joined the Top 25 after a 2-2 tie against Pascack Hills last week). Five different players scored — Dana Webb, Devan Larson, Cassie Phillips, Maddie Barrow (also one assist) and Kelly Carolyn — and Erica Lis made six saves for the shutout.
No. 11 Glen Rock improved to 2-0 with its second straight 1-0 win to open the year, the most recent coming Thursday against Eastern Christian. The Panthers’ Erin Callahan scored with three minutes left in regulation to break the scoreless tie after Julia Kelly gained possession near midfield and dished it off to Callahan for the game-winner.
No. 15 Wayne Hills took down a dangerous Fair Lawn team, 3-1, on Thursday, rallying with three second-half goals after trailing, 1-0, at halftime. Meghan Griffin scored twice in the comeback, Johnna Caporuscio scored the other and Lynnea Kolpon, Alexis Long and Madison Carlo all provided assists. Keely Hassert made two saves in the win. Lisa Kestelboym provided Fair Lawn’s only goal.
No. 17 Clifton defeated Passaic Tech, 1-0, on Thursday behind Olivia DeMuro’s game-winning goal in the second half off an assist from Brittany Morales. The Mustangs, who improved to 3-0, did not allow a shot on goal.
No. 20 New Milford got a big five-point performance from Alexis Monroy, with the senior having a hand in every goal in the Knights’ 5-0 win over Leonia. Monroy recorded a hat trick and added two assists, with Olivia Gouldsbury and Marykate Doran also finding the net. Gouldsbury assisted on a pair of Monroy’s goals and goalie Kaitlyn Carberry made three saves in the win, as New Milford improved to 3-0.
No. 21 Lakeland remained unbeaten (3-0) Wednesday, defeating rival West Milford, 2-0, behind goals from Annie Yost and Michelle Furman and one assist from Maddie Burgner. Jenna Bracken stopped eight shots for the shutout, with her and the Lancers’ defense allowing just one goal in its opening three games.
Great 2-0 win on rivalry night! Great sportsmanship between LL and WM. Lakeland now 3-0 @VarsityAces @PassCoCoaches pic.twitter.com/SULfUOl0e0
— LRHS Girls Soccer (@LLGirlsSoccer) September 16, 2015
No. 25 Waldwick outlasted Cresskill, 1-0, in double overtime on Thursday, getting the game-winning goal from Erin Smith — off an assist from Francesca Raffaele — late in extra time. Waldwick goalie Amanda Craven finished with 10 saves, as the Warriors move to 2-0.
Unranked Wood-Ridge remained unbeaten and improved to 3-0 after its 5-1 win over St. Mary. The Blue Devils have started the year outscoring its three opponents — Weehawken, Immaculate Conception and St. Mary — 12-1. On Thursday, Wood-Ridge received two goals and an assist from Erica Ford, one goal and one assist each from Brittany Larsen and Morgan Kurz and one goal from Madalena Bak.