MHS girls win first CJ IV game

WW-P South, North edged in state play

By: Justin Feil
   The state tournament brings with it heartache and euphoria, and it’s a thin line that can separate the two.
   The Montgomery High girls’ soccer team won in its Central Jersey Group IV debut, 3-0, over Sayreville Memorial on Monday. The No. 2 Cougars advanced to host No. 7 East Brunswick in a game scheduled for Thursday. The winner plays Monday in the CJ IV semifinals against the Old Bridge-Brick Memorial victor.
   "We didn’t look that great but we got the job done," said MHS head coach Jeremy Beardsley after his team improved to 17-2. "Everyone is good in that bracket. The biggest thing that we’re trying to do is carry the momentum that the county tournament has given us. It was a huge win. We’re trying to build off what we brought to that game and bring it to a similar scenario. If you don’t have a high level, you’re out of it. The state tournament ends your season. The big thing is to bring that level each and every game.
   "That’s what we brought Saturday. We didn’t necessarily bring it today. But we did enough. Our mission is to get to that sectional final and anything can happen there. It’s about bringing that desire and hunger. Hopefully it’s there."
   Even sometimes when it’s there, it takes something more. West Windsor-Plainsboro South dominated play against Old Bridge, only to fall after a scoreless regulation in a shootout, 5-3. The No. 6 Pirates held a 27-13 shot advantage in the game, but it was 11th-seeded Old Bridge that ended their season on penalty kicks.
   "Whether they win or lose, they’re never prepared for it," said South coach Chris Miller, whose team finished the season 13-4. "I always dread that last game. Unless you take the whole state tournament, you end your season with a loss. It’s tough on everybody, especially the senior girls."
   Miller has seven seniors, five who were regular starters. This year’s team was about more than the classes, which is why it was so hard to see the season end.
   "I just feel like every year, it’s a closer knit team," Miller said. "It’s more like a family every year. It just gets better and better, the girls’ relationship with each other.
   "This is a very special team. I’m broken hearted for them. Every single win has been a team effort. They’ve won as a team and lost as a team. I’ve had other teams that played as a team and got along well. This is a very special group. I know it’s because of the relationship the girls have with each other. You can’t teach it, you can’t coach it. This group has really nurtured that."
   The Pirates, for the first time in nine trips to the state tournament under Miller, are going home after a first-round defeat. This one did not sit easily after WW-P South controlled the game.
   "I think they feel like they were a little bit robbed," Miller said. "Usually the team that dominates the play wins. If you can defend well enough to keep the other team off the scoreboard, something goes in. We hit the crossbar twice and the post. They hit the post too. We had so many chances to finish and just didn’t."
   West Windsor-Plainsboro North also had no success in finding the back of the net against Northern Burlington in Central Jersey Group III action Monday. No. 7 Northern Burlington topped the No. 10 Knights, 1-0, to end their season at 8-6-3.
   WW-P North has just one senior starter, Emily Grato, and Monday’s game could prove valuable for the multitude of returners next year.
   "For a lot of the girls, it was their first experience playing in the state tournament," said Knights head coach Kevin Mackenzie. "We played a good team. We gave ourselves a chance. It was tied, 0-0, pretty deep into the second half before they scored. We had one mix-up in the back that led to a goal. But that experience helps us down the road.
   "We overcame adversity and we had injuries early in the season and injures late in the season. I had three starters out (Monday). It’s a credit to the girls that they still finished 8-6-3. It’s a credit to the girls even with things not breaking our way. Overall, I’m pretty happy with the overall result."
   Mackenzie is optimistic that the Knights, who reached the CJ III final the previous two years, can move back into contention with a more experienced team. The building blocks are there to contend for the sectional next season.
   "We only lose one starter, Emily Grato," Mackenzie said. "She will be tough to replace. She’s four-year starter. She came in in great shape. She did a great job leading the team. Every day in practice, she was always the hardest worker on the field. It’s hard to replace that type of leadership. We’re fortunate we’re only replacing one starter. I have 10 starters coming back. It’s not a bad place to start for next year."
   And start building toward a more euphoric ending to the season.