By: Kyle Moylan Sports Editor
Mary Ellen McCarthy made sure not to get too excited about her team’s six-game winning streak. After all, the most important games on the schedule are clearly the ones left to be played.
The Allentown High field hockey team was scheduled to face Hopewell Valley in a Mercer County Tournament quarterfinal game yesterday (Wednesday). A win in that game would keep Allentown on line to appear in its seventh straight MCT championship game.
Allentown, now 13-5, also has its scheduled for the Central Jersey Group II Tournament. Allentown, a fourth seed, will host Camden Catholic, a fifth seed, on November 4.
“I’m not worried about how many games we’ve won in a row,” McCarthy said. “We’re just taking it one game at a time.”
That’s the only way to look at it. Because once Allentown loses a game in the MCT and the Central Jersey Group II tournaments, the season is over.
What Allentown was able to do this past week was to build up some momentum, approach the two big tournaments with at least somewhat of a running start.
On Tuesday, October 21, Kasie Nurko scored two goals in a 5-1 Allentown win over Ewing. Lindsay Bacovin, Ciara Weatherbee and Dan Sensi added a goal each. Erin Brink (two), Shea Clemencich, Angela Scibilia and Janice Dutko all had assists. Annie Matrone (two saves) and Nikki Barbaree (three saves) combined to record the win in goal.
Nurko also scored two goals in a 4-2 win over Hightstown last Thursday. Clemencich and Taylor Harvey also scored goals. Nurko, Clemencich (two) and Bacovin had assists. Barbaree made six saves.
“I think we’re playing better,” McCarthy noted. “The girls are focused.”
One area McCarthy has been particularly pleased with of late is the transition game. She pointed to midfielders Bacovin, Brink, Samantha O’Brien and Ciara Weatherbee for getting the ball out of the defensive end quickly and getting Allentown into the attack mode.
This was particularly evident in Allentown’s 4-0 win over West Windsor North in the opening game of the Mercer County Tournament on Friday.
“All of the girls were working together and we were moving the ball very well,” McCarthy said. “In the West Windsor North game, the transition just clicked.”
Kind of the way offense has been clicking for Nurko, who had two goals in a game for the third time during the week.
“She’s had an explosive week,” McCarthy said.
McCarthy also was quick to point out the play of Bacovin, who also had a goal and two assists against West Windsor North. Clemencich rounded out the scoring with a goal and an assist. Matrone (three saves) and Barbaree (two saves) combined for the shutout in goal.
As is the case in any shutout, a big assist goes to the defense. Julie Embley, Ali Valko and Sam Scibilia were all playing shutdown on defense.
“They’re marking better and just seem to be a lot more confident,” McCarthy said.
Adding to the spark during the week was the play of Angela Scibilia and the return of Lauren Salge.
“We’re done with the regular season,” McCarthy noted. “It’s just the two tournaments. The girls are focused on what they need to do.”
Which is to keep winning the game on hand, making sure there will be more contests to follow.

