Team set for revenge in divisional showdown
By: Rudy Brandl
BRIDGEWATER The Hillsborough High girls’ soccer team won’t have to wait long to avenge Saturday’s loss to Montgomery in the Somerset County Tournament semifinals.
Hillsborough will have destiny in its hands when it travels south to Cougar Stadium for tonight’s (Thursday) Delaware East Division showdown. If the Lady Raiders win or tie, they’ll capture the division title.
"This is definitely motivation for the conference," HHS head coach LeeAnn Wyble said after Saturday’s tough 2-1 loss to Montgomery. "I still think we’re in a good situation. Montgomery is a very good team, but we weren’t on our game today. If we play well, we know we can stay with them."
The Lady Raiders (12-4) enter tonight’s battle with an 8-1 record in league play, including a 1-0 victory over Montgomery Oct. 3 in Hillsborough. Montgomery (14-1 overall, 7-1 in division) has defeated everyone else in the Delaware East but still must play Bridgewater-Raritan again. Hillsborough can clinch sole possession of the division crown with a win or a tie but can still share the title with a loss if B-R defeats Montgomery.
"It’s tough to beat a team three times and we still have a great chance to win the conference," Wyble said. "It’s always nice to go to the county finals, but we got knocked out by the No. 1 seed."
Montgomery was fortunate to eliminate Hillsborough in Saturday’s game, which was played at a neutral site at Basilone Field in Bridgewater. The winning goal was controversial and left HHS players, coaches and fans still complaining after the game.
A loose ball was bouncing around in front of the Hillsborough net like it was in a pinball machine. HHS senior goalkeeper Taryn O’Connor deflected it away and several teammates tried to clear but Montgomery’s attackers managed to keep it around the goal area. Marcia Voigt received credit for the goal with 6:01 to play in regulation, but it appeared the ball struck her forearm and caromed into the net.
"She was right in my face, it was a handball," O’Connor said. "I got a hand on it, then it hit somebody’s neck and it was all over the place. I got pieces of it but it hit somebody’s hand and went in."
The controversial goal ended a hard-fought match in which Montgomery enjoyed a slight edge in possession and scoring chances. The Lady Raiders certainly were in the game and even enjoyed a very brief lead.
Senior striker Mary Bednar, back on the field for the first time since suffering a facial injury that requires her to wear a mask, gave the Lady Raiders a huge lift. Bednar put HHS up 1-0 with a great individual effort that ended with a hard lefty shot that Montgomery keeper Ally Mancino couldn’t handle in the third minute of the second half.
"Mary is successful because of her competitive nature," Wyble said. "She works 100 percent and she makes things happen. She’s a huge asset to this team."
Unfortunately, Bednar’s heroics didn’t hold up for long. Montgomery scored on the ensuing kickoff to tie the game 17 seconds later when Carey Youmans converted a pass from Alex Vazquez.
"That’s a very typical goal that a good team will score on you," Wyble said. "They came right back at us."
Montgomery kept coming but the Lady Raiders hung tough. Nikki Smartt played a brilliant game on defense along with fellow backs Julia Paget and Ali Leifer. Midfielder Lauren Cusick was solid on both ends of the field. O’Connor made some big saves, but needed a little help from the officials on the game-winner.
Hillsborough advanced to last year’s SCT final with a controversial victory when Bednar scored on a long shot to beat Bridgewater-Raritan in overtime. B-R wasn’t ready for the play but Bednar took the kick and scored to send the Lady Raiders into the county championship game.
"It’s ironic because the same thing happened last year when we beat Bridgewater," O’Connor said. "We could’ve beaten them. We can’t wait to play them again."
CORNER KICKS Hillsborough blanked Franklin by a 1-0 score in overtime on a very rainy day to stay in first place in the Delaware East Division. Lindsay Dragelin netted the game-winner two minutes into the first overtime on an assist from Cusick. HHS dominated the game but couldn’t score until the extra session. O’Connor made two saves for the shutout.

