Hopewell falls to Ridge in sectional semis

Hopewell Valley field hockey

By: John E. Powers
   The Hopewell Valley Central High School field hockey team’s season came to an end Wednesday with a 3-1 loss at Ridge in the North Jersey, Section 2, Group III sectional semifinals of the state tournament.
   Hopewell, the fifth seed, was tied with top-seeded Ridge 1-1 at halftime before surrendering two unanswered goals in the second half.
   Kristen Volpe scored Hopewell’s goal unassisted with 17:51 left in the first half for a 1-0 lead. Two minutes later Ridge forward Jen McWharter scored to tie the game on a breakaway.
   At 26:43 of the second half, Ridge forward Julie Bilenker scored on a corner to give her team the lead. Following a Hopewell penalty at 18:18 of the second half, McWharter scored on a beautiful shot off assists from Bilenker and Madison Ingall to finish the scoring.
   "They capitalized," Hopewell coach Jami Taranto said.
   Hopewell ousthot Ridge 18-15. Goalie Meg Lauter had 12 saves for the Lady Bulldogs (12-7-1). Ridge is 17-3-1 and will play Voorhees — which beat Notre Dame 3-0 in the other semifinal — in the sectional final.
   "We had a lot of chances, but we just didn’t finish," Jhonna Tirpak said. "When we scored first, we were really pumped up, but we let down."
   Lauter kept her team in the game with her fine play between the posts.
   "Meg had a great game," Taranto said. "She got pounded and pounded, but she got the ball out of there. This was one of the best games of her career."
   Taranto said Ridge senior goalie Diana Bartley, who had 17 saves, gave the Lady Bulldogs an unusual look, since she slid on shots rather than standing straight up. Ridge also created many corners — a key element in Hopewell’s offensive game.
   "This team mirrors us," Taranto said.
   The Lady Bulldogs practiced during the week at Princeton Day School and Mercer County Community College in order to get a feel for what it would be like to play on Ridge’s turf field.
   "It’s a faster game when you play on field turf," Taranto said.
   Taranto said that the 11 seniors on her team were a huge part of the success of the program and that they set a good example for the younger players.
   Tirpak is going to Roanoke College.
   "It’s sad," Tirpak said. "We played very well. We’ve been through a lot. I love playing field hockey, and I love my team."