Any sport. Any team. They all want to raise the state championship trophy, crowning themselves as title winners. The stakes are high. One loss and a promising season is over–just like that.
The pressure could not be greater for the Scotch-Plains Fanwood field hockey team. After a first round 2-1 loss to Randolph last year, the Raiders had to flip the script.
It was going to be a battle regardless of who they played, but Middletown North was no match for the Raiders in the first round of the NJSIAA North Jersey, Group 3 Tournament.
The Raiders walked away with a 4-0 win Friday, Oct. 27 at Perry Tyson Field amidst the oppressive heat.
SPF stood its ground in the hardest division of the Essex/Union Conference with a winning record of 10-7 and were awarded the eighth seed in the tournament. Middletown were granted the ninth seed, finishing 13-6-1 and top of the North B Shore division.
The Raiders recorded its 50th win in the program’s seven year history on Oct. 4 against Glen Ridge—a major confidence booster for the team.
“They need to play together as a team. Play and work together, use each other, have good passing and communication,” Head Coach Ally Neidig told the Fanscotian coming into the game.
Straight from the first whistle, the Raiders were relentless. They drove up the field with several offensive plays, getting a lot of shots early, but were unable to finish the chances.
After a turnover in the middle of the field, Middletown quickly transitioned, posing a real threat, but the Raiders defense halted the attack.
Now on the counter-attack, junior Carrie Conklin unloads a powerful shot that is stopped, but senior Catie Skwirut is in the right spot to put in the rebound.
The offense continues to generate plays. Junior Sophia Zambrio wins the ball on the right side and dribbles to the middle. The play ends with a shot that goes wide right.
The sustained pressure in Middletown’s zone pays off as the Raiders lead 1-0 at the end of the quarter.
During the two minute break, the Raiders knew they had to keep the momentum high after a strong first quarter performance.
Junior Kayla Murray displays her strength while dribbling as she winds up for a shot, setting up senior Erin Ryan to finish the rebound off. The Raiders’ offense was looking unstoppable.
Middletown developed an encouraging attack, but senior goalie Gabriella Rijo steps up and kicks the ball away, shutting down the play. The Lions come straight back at the Raiders defense and Rijo makes another critical save.
Junior Meredith Reilly and Zambrio connect a few passes before the half ends as the ball rolls out of bounds following a shot that went wide.
At halftime, the Raiders have a two goal advantage, dominating possession and developing many scoring opportunities.
To start the third quarter, Conklin drives down the right wing and crosses the ball, but no one is able to get on the end of it. Raiders defenders Maddy Ball and Neela Darmarajah lock down the Lions, stepping in front of them to take the ball back.
The Raiders link passes together, going through the defense. Zambrio avoids the defenders and finishes the shot, extending the lead to three goals to none.
“I was really happy [after my goal] because it pushed us ahead even more than we were,” Zambrio said.
The Raiders remained composed, showing no signs of thinking the game was done yet. They constantly forced turnovers, were cautious in the back, and made smart passes.
Following a penalty, Murray takes the ball and weaves through a handful of defenders. She strikes the ball past the goalie, capping off an impressive individual effort. Murray tallies her 16th goal of the season.
The Lions jump right out of the gate to start the fourth, eager to get themselves back into the game. They string some passes together, leading to a couple shots. Rijo makes the saves.
SPF comes right back on offense. Murray dribbles through the whole defense again, but comes up short this time. Ball makes a great defensive play to stop a chance down the left wing.
Zambrio sprints around the defenders and forces a penalty. The free hit is passed back to Zambrio and she makes a few defenders miss before passing to Ryan down the right wing. Ryan gets it to Murray who shoots, but it is saved.
In the final minute, the Lions gave it all they had, rushing down the field. Darmarajah reads the play well and breaks up the chance. The buzzer sounds, and the Raiders win.
“I’m ecstatic. We played really well. It’s probably one of our best games of the season. It’s nice to have one of our best games be a state game,” Neidig said.
SPF is scheduled to play one seed Middletown South Wednesday, Nov. 1 in the quarterfinal round. Time and location to be determined.
“I think we can [go far in the tournament]. We all play very hard. We work together as a unit,” Zambrio said.
