Hopewell teams participated in the Hershey (Pa.) Invitational this weekend, June 18-19.
The Hopewell Valley Hurricanes finished their season with a win, a loss and a draw.
The under-14 girls opened with a 4-0 win against the Tri-Valley YSC (Pa.) Fusion. Ellie Hawkey got the Hurricanes on the board in the first half with a header off a corner kick. Julia Peters scored the second goal of the game on a breakaway and dribble move past the keeper.
Charlotte Hare hit a second-half cracking shot at the top of the eighteen to increase the Hurricanes lead, and Hawkey netted the final score of the game on a long-range strike.
In the second game of the day, Hurricanes fought Philadelphia Soccer Club (PSC) Coppa Blue Storm to a 0-0 draw.
Maddie Schrader and Kate Allen earned the clean sheet behind a stout defensive effort from CarlySison, Chloe Mummert, Emily Cooke, Adelinne Danieluk and Anna Cappucci.
After results of day one, teams were reseeded and the Hurricanes were paired with PSC Coppa in the semifinals. A first-half corner kick score by PSC would prove to be the difference as the Hurricanes missed on several opportunities, could not equalize and lost the game to the eventual tournament champions, 1-0.
This ended the Hurricanes season and career together playing for Hopewell Valley SA — a five-year run that delivered several flight championships in both JAGS and Mid-NJ league play and impressive tournament performances and medals. The team built lasting friendships and set a high standard for HVSA girls soccer.
The Hurricanes roster included Julia Alito, Kate Allen, Kerry Buglino, Anna Cappucci, Emily Cooke, Adelinne Danieluk, Jolene Evich, Charlotte Hare, Ellie Hawkey, Fiona McCaffrey, Chloe Mummert, Anna Neal, Julia Peters, Molly Rhoads, Maddie Schrader, Carly Sison and Zoe Stanton. The team was coached by Greg Cappucci, Bill Hawkey, Kevin Cooke and Dave Cirullo.
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The Hopewell Heat under-12 girls heated up Hershey by placing second in their tournament division behind a strong Hanover Panther squad this past weekend.
After being in a three-way tie for second, the Heat advanced to the championship game by winning a shootout against East Brunswick and posting a win against Jackson Tsunami (2-1). Mea Allex and Ella Zimmerman put two goals in against Brunswick’s one.
Allex showed her versatility by moving to goalie for the shootout and having two spectacular saves and scoring a goal in the Jackson game. Forward Eva Guerino and wings Sarah Yancey, Gillian Lee, Katie Tilman, Sofia Venezia, Sydney Isaacson and Diana Benford rounded out the offensive squad. Isaacson also tallied one goal against Jackson.
The Heat defense allowed only three goals in three games before the final. Erin Popik denied many balls as sweeper, as did Zimmerman as stopper. Lara Paoloni , Anna Gill, Emily Neal, Ellie Hill, and Adele Cappucci added protection in the backfield.