The Hopewell Valley under-12 girls’ Heat defeated Cougar Soccer Club, 5–0, in Maplewood to secure their second straight Mid-NJ flight 1 championship on June 4.
The Heat improved to a spring record of 8 wins and 2 losses. This completes a string in league play for the Heat, who were crowned champions of flight 1 in the fall and Bob Smith indoor in the winter.
Sofia Venezia got the scoring started early with a left-footed strike in the top corner 5 minutes into the game. Venezia then served a ball to Sam Shaw, who calmly netted the second score of the day. Gillian Lee converted a penalty kick to put the Heat comfortably ahead at halftime.
The Heat iced the game with two more scores in the second half. The first was by Ella Zimmerman off a pinpoint through-ball from Adele Cappucci, and the second by Lara Paoloni off a corner kick. Midfield play from Anna Gill, Sydney Isaacson, Kate Tillman and Diana Benford controlled the pace of play. The Heat earned a clean sheet with goalkeepers Sarah Yancey and Lee making several key saves, behind defense from Cappucci, Emily Neal, Ellie Hill and Erin Popik.
The Heat secured the title game without leading scorer Mea Allex, who was away for a family wedding.
* **
The HVSA boys under-10 Riptides had two games over the weekend to conclude their season.
First, the Riptides rolled over Parsippany 7-1 as Kieran Karp andChristian Mayer each notched two goals. Cameron Velez, Lukas Ansari andBrandon Napoleon each added goals. Assists came from Ansari, Garrett Wille, Karp, Napoleon (2) and Mayer.
The Riptides got strong goalkeeping from Matthew Whitlock, Will Stover and Wille, who also saved a penalty kick. Daniel Golian and Alex Romano helped the Riptides dominate the midfield, while Rex Peters created several offensive chances.
In the second game the Riptides, fell to Ewing, 6-3. Napoleon, Wille and Karp scored goals, while Charlie Stocks-Natalias, Mayer and Napoleon had the assists.
* * *
The HVSA girls under-10 Sun Dogs wrapped up the season with a 4-1 victory over Watchung Hills at home on Sunday.
Julie Somers led the offense with two goals, and Gillian Magner scored on a penalty kick. Emme Muller posted another goal and Madelyn Patterson, normally a defender but playing up-field, added the final goal. Goalkeeper Kennedy Havens made several saves to hold Watchung to the one goal.
The defense of Katie Yancey, Ana Chrnelich and Frankie Somers kept Watchung from scoring position. Bolstering the Sun Dogs’ offense were Casey von Oehsen and Alexa Marino.