Evan Hurm’s hat trick helps Northern Highlands win North 1, Group 3 crown by Greg Mattura of The Record
ALLENDALE — Her final home game for national power Northern Highlands and Eva Hurm bid farewell with a bang … bang … bang.
Hurm scored three goals to lead the Highlanders to a 3-1 victory over previously unbeaten Wayne Valley in Friday’s final of the North 1, Group 3 girls soccer tournament.
The senior forward scored a hat trick in the first half to help top-seeded Northern Highlands repeat as sectional champion and advance to Tuesday’s state semifinals against Hopewell Valley.
“It’s kind of surreal that it’s our last game as seniors here, so I’m taking that in,” Hurm said.
Hurm is among seven seniors who have helped Northern Highlands (20-1) earn the No. 11 spot in the SIMA Fab 50 national rankings. The Highlanders are a Group 3 title contender after finishing as runner-up last season. The Public finals are Nov. 19 at Kean University in Union.
Hurm used her speed and smarts to score three goals in the opening 31 minutes and stake Northern Highlands to a 3-0 halftime lead. Hurm, who has committed to Notre Dame, never scored three goals in a half. She sat out most of the second half with a sore ankle.
“She’s just a fantastic player,” said Northern Highlands coach Tara Madigan. “The ball’s at her feet and she just makes things happen. She’s fun to watch. And having a hat trick in a sectional final is certainly a large accomplishment for anybody.”
“Northern Highlands is a good team and Eva Hurm is a fantastic player,” Wayne Valley coach Kathleen Sinram said. “My kids played their hardest. Unfortunately, she was able to put some balls in the back of the net.”
Hurm’s three goals were from 10 to 15 yards and came via good passes. She scored in the 16th minute, off a long pass from sophomore Claudia Mischler. Hurm scored in the 29th minute, off a pass from junior Joanna Kelly. Hurm scored in the 31st minute, with the assist going to senior Amy Harris.
“We played well in the first half and she had goals,” Madigan said, “but certainly she had teammates who helped her accomplish those goals.”
Wayne Valley (20-1-1) can say it scored in every game this season after Sydney Rosenkrantz tallied in the 73rd minute, with the assist going to Alexa Simonetti. Rosenkrantz fired a 20-yard liner over and beyond the reach of Highlanders’ sophomore goalie Sara Ghorashi. Earlier in the half, Ghorashi redirected a potential goal over the crossbar.
“I thought we played well in the first half and we had some scary moments in the second half,” Madigan said, “but we’re moving on and right now that’s all that counts.”
“Overall [there’s] excitement to be here again,” said Hurm, “and just go back and keep pursuing what we set out to do.”