NJSIAA Football Sectional Championship:

The North Hunterdon vs Phillipsburg North 2 Group 4 Sectional Football Championship will be at MetLife Stadium on December 2nd at 1:00pm.

Note: The North 2 Group 3 Sectional Football Championship between Voorhees and West Essex will be 10:00am. 

Click HERE to review the NJSIAA Press release.

Click HERE to review the Met-Life Press Release.

Ticket prices for all games at MetLife Stadium are CASH ONLY (Credit Cards not Accepted): $9 for adults, $3 for students/senior citizens. Parking is $12. One daily admission ticket allows the purchaser to see all games on that day/night. Any fans leaving the Stadium will have to pay a second admission to return (no pass-outs).

North Hunterdon Student Fan Bus Information:

• Click HERE to download the Student Fan Bus form. The $10 bus fee must be with the completed form.
• Students will need to bring $3 to Met-Life stadium for game admission.
• The fan bus will leave school from the Main Gym Court Yard on Saturday 12/2/17 at approximately: 10:30 a.m. for Met-Life Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ and return at approximately: 5:30 p.m. Please be on time to pick up your son or daughter.
• The Deadline to return the Form to the Activities Office is Tuesday, November 28th by Noon.

Other Information:

• Click HERE to review directions to Met-Life Stadium. Food and drink must be provided by your son\daughter or purchased at the stadium. Bags will be checked by chaperones and Met-Life security. Students are responsible for cleanup.
• Click HERE to review the Tailgating-Parking Policy.
• Click HERE to review the UBER Zone Information.
• No Noisemakers are allowed including Cow-Bells. 
• Umbrellas WILL be permitted throughout the weekend.
• No banners, flags or signs are allowed.
• Students are not allowed to throw anything out from the stands during the game such as flour, confetti, etc. Students will be removed from the stadium if there are any violators of this rule by MetLife security.
• Seating will be in the Lower Tier West Side – 100 Level (134-143). Parking for North fans will be in Lot G. Click HERE to review the Met-Life 100 Level.
• Championship Webcast: 103.5 KTU www.njir.net, will be webcasting LIVE the game from Met Life on Saturday. 
• Metlife “what you need to know Link”: http://www.metlifestadium.com/mediawall/lists/info-news-alerts/2017-njsiaa-high-school-football-championships—what-you-need-to-know#.WiFiqOvv1EI.facebook

If you cannot make the game, it will be available to watch on NJ.com when the game starts at 1:05pm:

http://highschoolsports.nj.com/news/article/-3416773506396678667/2017-football-finals-live-video-updates-results-and-links-from-championship-weekend/

North 2, Group 4, 1 p.m. at MetLife Stadium
No. 15 Phillipsburg vs. No. 16 North Hunterdon
•  LIVE VIDEO and fan chat
•  Photo gallery
• Game recap
• Stars of the game
• Box score
• Full coverage

Note: Information will be added to this post as we get it.

Girls tennis review for North Hunterdon, Hunterdon Central, and Voorhees
Source: Lion Athletic News Hunterdon County girls tennis season in review, 2017 Hunterdon County girls tennis season in review, 2017

Teams tumbled and two new teams entered.
Source: Lion Athletic News NJ.com football Top 20 for Nov. 19: Semifinal shockers create several shakeups NJ.com football Top 20 for Nov. 19: Semifinal shockers create several shakeups

Congratulations to the Lady Lion Cross Country team for claiming the NJSIAA/M-F Athletic Meet of Champions team title at Holmdel Park on Saturday, November 18, 2017.  This is the first Meet of Champions title since 1986. North Hunterdon currently has won seven Meet of Champions team titles, the second-most behind Red Bank Catholic’s nine. Yet all six previous titles came in the 1980’s when the Lions won all six in a span of seven years.

Chloe Gonzalez led North Hunterdon with a fifth-place finish in 18:30 as the Lions finished 4-8-16-29-43 for 100 points. Emily Nugent ran in 19:08 for 16th with Ellie DiMarcello claiming the 28th-fastest time in 19:27. Samantha Kehler crossed the finish line in 19:58 for 51st as Brenna Talamo ran a 20:17 for the 72nd spot to help the Lions clinch the team title. Angela Kearsley finished in 87 place and Alexandra Carlson finished in 96^th place.

Source: Lion Athletic News Girls Cross Country: North Hunterdon claims first Meet of Champions team crown in 31 years Girls Cross Country: North Hunterdon claims first MoC team crown in 31 years

Quarterback Matt Busher passed for two touchdowns and ran for another as North Hunterdon scored 29 unanswered points while limiting Sayreville to 98 total yards of offense after that lone TD, and rolled to a 29-7 victory on Friday evening to earn its first state section championship game berth in 42 years.

North Hunterdon (10-1), which won Central Jersey, Group 3 in 1975 for its lone title and losing in the 1978 final, will face top-seeded Phillipsburg (10-0), for the ​North 2 Group 4 ​section championship on the weekend of Nov. 30th-Dec. 3^rd

​Matt Busher complet​ed 14 of 25 passes for 175 yards and a pair of touchdowns, ​rushed for 11 yards and ​notching his 17th and 18th TDs of the season, a new school record.​​

​Jared ​McMahon, who reeled in nine passes​ for 125 yards​, caught a 20-yard TD with 15 seconds left in the first half to put the Lions in front for good, 10-7.

Luke Ingenito hauled in a 42-yard TD strike on the Lions’ first snap of the second half and Busher ran for a 3-yard score with 8:40 left in the game. Luke Wain rushed for 50 yards and a TD on 19 carries and is now 48 yards shy of 1,000 yards rushing for the season.

John Spies booted a 36-yard field goal and was two-for-four on PAT kicks.​

Source: Lion Athletic News Sayreville (7) at North Hunterdon (29), NJSIAA Playoffs, Semifinal Round, North 2, Group 4 – Football Sayreville (7) at North Hunterdon (29), NJSIAA Playoffs, Semifinal Round, North 2, Group 4 – Football

Click HERE for Photogallery by Nick Scalera | For NJ Advance Media.

A look at the teams and individuals running in the 2017 Meet of Champions and predictions for the boys race
Source: Lion Athletic News Boys Cross Country: Previews and Predictions for the 2017 Meet of Champions Boys Cross Country: Previews and Predictions for the 2017 Meet of Champions

A look at the teams and individuals running in the 2017 Meet of Champions and predictions for the girls race
Source: Lion Athletic News Girls Cross Country: Previews and Predictions for the 2017 Meet of Champions Girls Cross Country: Previews and Predictions for the 2017 Meet of Champions

Voorhees and North Hunterdon have a lot in common. * Both programs are in the middle of a football resurgence, which began in 2012. * Both teams won a playoff game for the first time since 2002. * …
Source: Lion Athletic News Voorhees, North Hunterdon football gearing for NJSIAA playoff semifinals Voorhees, North Hunterdon football gearing for NJSIAA playoff semifinals

Alexa Vasile might not have all the honors and credentials that she earned last season, but the North Hunterdon first singles tennis player still posted a solid 2017 campaign.

Vasile is named the 2017 Hunterdon County Democrat Player of the Year.

Source: Lion Athletic News Alexa Vasile of North Hunterdon is the Hunterdon County Democrat girls tennis Player of the Year for 2017 Alexa Vasile of North Hunterdon is the Hunterdon County Democrat girls tennis Player of the Year for 2017

A look at North 2, Group 4.
Source: Lion Athletic News Football playoffs, 2017: North Jersey, Section 2, Group 4 semifinal schedule, picks Football playoffs, 2017: North Jersey, Section 2, Group 4 semifinal schedule, picks

Here is the latest look at the dig leaders from around the state through the group finals!
If your coaches would like to submit game information, they should log onto njchoolsports.com and do so.
READ: More statewide stat leaders 
DIGS
573 – Alicia Pokrzywa, Morris Catholic542 – Maya Goldner, Columbia504 – Michelle Slomkowski, Morris Knolls459 – Estefany Galdamez, West Caldwell Tech410 – Madison Liguori, Toms River …
Source: Lion Athletic News Girls Volleyball: Statewide dig leaders through Nov. 14 Girls Volleyball: Statewide dig leaders through Nov. 14

Here is the latest look at the block leaders from around the state through the group finals!
If your coaches would like to submit game information, they should log onto njchoolsports.com and do so.
READ: More statewide stat leaders 
BLOCKS
100.5 – Caleigh Golabek, Hackensack96 – Kayla Thornton, Pinelands93 – Emma Capriglione, Pinelands91 – Gabby Pimentel, Secaucus90 – Joanna Marcelin, Orange89 – Shannon Condon, Mount …
Source: Lion Athletic News Girls Volleyball: Statewide block leaders through Nov. 14 Girls Volleyball: Statewide block leaders through Nov. 14

HOLMDEL – Congratulations to the Lady Lions Cross Country team for taking Gold at the NJSIAA Group 4 Girls Cross Country Championship. 

Chloe Gonzalez placed second with a 18:49 finish. North Hunterdon also had Elena DiMarcello place fifth with a 19:07 finish, Emily Nugent finish 9th with a 19:19 finish, Samantha Kehler finish 31st with a 20:10 finish, Brenna Talamo finish 42nd with a 20:17 finish, Alexandra Carlson finish 55th with a 20:31 finish and Carleigh Haris finish 66th with a 20:45 finish time to help North Hunterdon come away with the team title as it finished with 82 points.

Source: Lion Athletic News Group cross-country championships: Randolph’s Loveys, No. Hunterdon win Group 4 girls crowns (PHOTOS) Group cross-country championships: Randolph’s Loveys, No. Hunterdon win Group 4 girls crowns (PHOTOS)

Congratulations to the North Competitive Cheerleaders for taking Bronze in the  Large Varsity Category and Bid Nationals at the Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA) NorthEast Championship at the Pine Belt Arena in Toms River NJ.

Click HERE to review all the results on the UCA website.

Matt Busher threw for 69 yards and rushed for 87 yards and scored a TD. Luke Wain rushed for 80 yards and 2 TD’s and Griffin had 39 yards receiving. Jared McMahon had an interception ​to lead the defense.​

Source: Lion Athletic News Orange (9) at North Hunterdon (26), NJSIAA Playoffs, First Round, North 2, Group 4 – Football Orange (9) at North Hunterdon (26), NJSIAA Playoffs, First Round, North 2, Group 4 – Football

Click HERE to review the Photogallery by (Nick Scalera | For NJ Advance Media)

NJ.com’s six high school football reporters make their picks in each of the 23 brackets.
Source: Lion Athletic News Football Playoffs, 2017: Predicting all 23 sectional football champs Football Playoffs, 2017: Predicting all 23 sectional football champs

Brian Bobal | For NJ Advance Media
Cherokee was staring elimination right in the face. After dropping the first set 25-19, the second-seeded Chiefs, No. 14 in the NJ.com Top 20, trailed 23-17 and turned to Alexis Bickett with the serve. It was an epic finish after that.
Bickett led Cherokee on an 8-0 run to stave off elimination and …
Source: Lion Athletic News North Hunterdon (1) at Cherokee (2), NJSIAA Tournament, Fourth Round, Group 4 – Girls Volleyball North Hunterdon (1) at Cherokee (2), NJSIAA Tournament, Fourth Round, Group 4 – Girls Volleyball

A look at North 2, Group 4

The contenders: North Hunterdon hung tough with Phillipsburg until late in the game when they met in the regular season, and Matt Busher is one of the best offensive weapons in the state at quarterback for the Lions.

Source: Lion Athletic News Football tournament preview, 2017: North 2, Group 4 Football tournament preview, 2017: North 2, Group 4

North Hunterdon and Voorhees turned in historic regular-season campaigns in 2017, now they hope to turn that into historic post-season campaigns when the NJSIAA playoffs begin on Friday night.
North Hunterdon (8-1), the No. 2 seed in North Jersey, Section 2, Group 4, will host seventh-seeded Orange (4-5) on Friday at 7 p.m.
If they win, the Lions will …
Source: Lion Athletic News North Hunterdon, Voorhees football seeking to make post-season history North Hunterdon, Voorhees football seeking to make post-season history

2-Cherokee (27-0) vs. 3-North Hunterdon (19-6)

This is a rematch of last year’s Group 4 second round, a match that North Hunterdon won 25-13, 25-17.

Cherokee has had a dream season to date but this will be, arguably, its toughest match yet.

The second-seeded Chiefs have taken down Montclair, Old Bridge and Clifton to reach the semifinals. On the season, this Cherokee squad has only lost six sets.

Kayleigh Kitchen has been a star in her senior campaign. She leads the team and has set a career high with 241 kills. Makenzie Jackson and Madison Patton have each been solid hitters with a combined 169 kills.

Alexis Bickett and Alaina Santacroce have proven to be a strong pair of setters with 285 and 209 assists respectively. The offense doesn’t stop there, though. Erica Marchlowitz has 64 aces on the season, Santacroce has 49 and Marlana Stipa rounds out the top three with 45.

North Hunterdon finds itself in the semifinals once again this year. Last fall, a promising tournament run was ended by Hunterdon Central in a 14-25, 16-25 loss. The Lions were able to rectify that loss by knocking out Hunterdon Central in this year’s quarterfinals, 25-20, 21-25, 25-18.

The team opened the tournament with a big 25-9, 25-15 win over Edison and followed that with a 25-23, 25-15 win over Randolph.

Instead of having just one dynamic hitter, the Lions have three in Caroline Layding, Emma Mikitiuk and Eleanor Stothoff. All three have combined for 354 kills and Layding leads the group with 121.

Jill Ferreira and Julia Pereira are the team’s go-to setting duo and add another wrinkle to an already potent offense. Ferreira leads North Hunterdon with 281 assists and Pereira has 177. Sarah Khan has chipped in nicely offensively with 30 aces, second on the team to Layding’s 31.

Khan has been sensational on the other side of the ball with 353 digs. Layding and Stothoff both make their presence felt on defense as well. Stothoff’s 69 blocks lead the team and Layding has 46 of her own.

Source: Lion Athletic News Girls Volleyball: Previewing the Group 4 semifinals, 2017- Nov. 8 Girls Volleyball: Previewing the Group 4 semifinals, 2017- Nov. 8

Friday night Forecast call for temperatures in the mid teens.

Area teams will host four NJSIAA sectional quarterfinals Friday night and will travel for one of them.

In North 2 Group 4, No. 2 seed North Hunterdon (8-1) will host  No. 7 seed Orange (3-5) at 7 p.m.

Source: Lion Athletic News2 Phillipsburg to host Millburn in NJSIAA sectional football opener Phillipsburg to host Millburn in NJSIAA sectional football opener

Congratulations to the Lady Lion Volleyball team for defeating Hunterdon Central in the NJSIAA Group 4 Girls Volleyball Tournament 2-1.

Jillian Ferreira had 15 Assists; Sarah Khan had 20 Digs and Eleanor Stothoff had 11 Kills to lead the attack.

The Lions will travel to Cherokee HS on Wednesday, November 8^th.

HILLSBOROUGH -Congratulations to the ​ Lady Lion Gymnastics team for taking Bronze at the NJSIAA Central Jersey Section 2 Championships​.

Danielle Tostevin placed 4th in the Bars and advances to the States.

Source: Lion Athletic News Central Jersey, Section 2 Championships – Gymnastics Central Jersey, Section 2 Championships – Gymnastics

A look at North 2, Group 4.
Source: Lion Athletic News Football playoffs, 2017: Projected North Jersey, Section 2, Group 4 bracket Football playoffs, 2017: Projected North Jersey, Section 2, Group 4 bracket

MORRIS PLAINS: North Hunterdon was without top runner Ray Sellaro, who sat out for precautionary measures, but still had a productive day in finishing 1-4-7-18-19 for 49 points. Gavin Richards took the top finish in 15:49 with Dillon Adamy placing fourth in 15:58, Christopher Fischer paces 7th place in 16:04, Andrew Trapp paces 18th place in 16:36, Will Arnold paces 19th place in 16:40, John Ignacz paces 26th place in 16:59 and Joseph Gallo paces 44th place in 17:28.

Source: Lion Athletic News Boys Cross Country: Westfield edges North Hunterdon, new course record set at North II sectional championships Boys Cross Country: Westfield edges North Hunterdon, new course record set at North II sectional championships

North Hunterdon, the two-time defending N2G4 sectional champion heading into Saturday, made it a three-peat with another dominating performance, tallying 28 points on a 1-2-3-7-15 finish with Elena DiMarcello (18:19), Chloe Gonzalez (18:27) and Emily Nugent (18:31) occupying the top three spots. Angela Kearsley finished seventh in 19:08, Samantha Kehler ran in 19:28 for 15th place, Alexandra Carlson finished 20th place in 19:51 and Brenna Talamo finished in 26th place in 20.10.

While the Lions will celebrate another sectional title, a state championship and an MoC title, something that has been won by sectional rival Ridge the last two years, is still the main goal.

“It means a lot to us. Our team has been working really hard so we’re really excited going into the next meet,” DiMarcello said. “I’m really proud of everyone on the team. Everyone is having a good year and we’re a really deep team.”

“I think it helps us a lot, the last two years we’ve lost at groups and MoCs so I think it gives us more confidence to try and win it this year.”

Source: Lion Athletic News Girls Cross Country: Warren Hills’ Westley sets course record, North Hunterdon secures three-peat at sectionals Girls Cross Country: Warren Hills’ Westley sets course record, North Hunterdon secures three-peat at sectionals

Click HERE to review the Photogallery on NJMilesplit.com.

GROUP 4
1-Ridge (23-0) | Last week: 12-Westfield (22-3) | Last week: 23-Cherokee (26-0) | Last week: 54-Hunterdon Central (18-5) | Last week: 45-North Hunterdon (18-6) | Last week: 36-Princeton (31-1) | Last week: 67-Williamstown (24-4) | Last week: Unranked8-Clifton (18-8) | Last week: Unranked9-East Brunswick (18-5) | Last week: 910-Southern (25-7) | Last week: 10
NOTE: Records are through all games played on Thursday, Nov. 2 and some on …
Source: Lion Athletic News Girls Volleyball: Group 4 rankings for Nov. 4 Girls Volleyball: Group 4 rankings for Nov. 4

Click HERE to review the PhotoGallery on MyCentralJersey,com.

Click HERE to review the Photogallery on NJ.com. (Nick Scalera | For NJ Advance Media)

An All-Hunterdon County clash became one of the highlights of the NJSIAA Group 4 tournament schedule when the state concluded its slate of second round matches Thursday.
When third-seeded North Hunterdon and sixth-seeded Hunterdon Central both earned straight set sweeps of their opponents on Tuesday in the Group 4 tournament, they clinched their fourth meeting of the season.
North Hunterdon …
Source: Lion Athletic News Hunterdon Central, North Hunterdon set up state quarterfinal meeting Hunterdon Central, North Hunterdon set up state quarterfinal meeting

Matthew Almeida and Youkendly Pacius each had two goals and an assist for third-seeded Elizabeth in a 5-1 win over sixth-seeded North Hunterdon in the North Jersey, Section 2, Group 4 quarterfinals in Elizabeth.
Michael Guzman also scored for Elizabeth, and Sebastian Diaz and Andrew Martins each had an assist. Nelson Capela made eight saves.
Elizabeth advanced to face the …
Source: Lion Athletic News North Hunterdon (1) at Elizabeth (5), NJSIAA Tournament, Second Round, North Jersey, Section 2, Group 4 – Boys Soccer North Hunterdon (1) at Elizabeth (5), NJSIAA Tournament, Second Round, North Jersey, Section 2, Group 4 – Boys Soccer

The first round of the 2017 state tournament is in the rearview mirror. Here is a look at some of the bigger surprises, takeaways and the top performances from the round that was.
READ: First round stat leaders
NON-PUBLIC
Four top seeds dominate, move on
The top four seeds all rolled through the first round combining to outscore opponents 200-58 …
Source: Lion Athletic News Girls Volleyball: Surprises, takeaways and top performances from Round 1 of state playoffs Girls Volleyball: Surprises, takeaways and top performances from Round 1 of state playoffs

A look at Week 9 in the Mid-State 38.
Source: Lion Athletic News Mid-State 38 Week 9 football picks, schedule Mid-State 38 Week 9 football picks, schedule

Congratulations to the North Lady Lion Competitive Cheerleading squad for taking Silver in the Raritan Division at the 2017 Skyland Conference Cheer Championships. The Lady Lions placed 5th overall in the 16 team Championship.

Delaware Division
Hunterdon Central
Bridgewater-Raritan 
Hillsborough 
Franklin
Ridge

Raritan Division
Phillipsburg
Montgomery
North Hunterdon
Warren Hills
Somerville 

Valley Division
Voorhees
North Plainfield
Bernards
Delaware Valley
Belvidere
Manville 

The first rankings of November.
Source: Lion Athletic News Mid-State 38 football rankings for Nov. 1 Mid-State 38 football rankings for Nov. 1

While Hunterdon Central, North Hunterdonand Voorhees will all be playing for something this weekend, although playoff position is not one of them since all three have played their allotted eight games, all will be scoreboard watching to decide their playoff fate.

North Hunterdon and Voorhees are not only playoff locks, but they will host a first-round game and possibly two. Before they start watching the scoreboard, however, they will do battle against each other in the 42nd annual MilkCan Game at Voorhees on Friday night. Both teams are 7-1.

The playoffs begin on the weekend of Nov. 10-11. Teams are seeded based on power points after their eighth game, with their best seven games making up the final point total. The majority of teams in the state have played eight games, but several have not which pretty much makes every bracket still unresolved.

Source: Lion Athletic News Hunterdon County football teams will be scoreboard watching this weekend Hunterdon County football teams will be scoreboard watching this weekend

Edward Acosta, Dominic Russillo, Rory Temple and Garrett Andreski all scored one goal each for sixth-seeded North Hunterdon in its 4-0 victory over 11th-seeded Phillipsburg in the first round of the North Jersey, Section 2, Group 4 tournament.
Gabe Volpe had two assists, and Michael Sabatella and Gehrig Anderson had one assist each for North Hunterdon.
North Hunterdon will take …
Source: Lion Athletic News Phillipsburg (0) at North Hunterdon (4), NJSIAA Tournament, Final Round, North Jersey, Section 2, Group 4 – Boys Soccer Phillipsburg (0) at North Hunterdon (4), NJSIAA Tournament, Final Round, North Jersey, Section 2, Group 4 – Boys Soccer

The Stateliners edged Norh Hunterdon, who they defeated Friday.
Source: Lion Athletic News2 Phillipsburg takes over lead in football sectional power points Phillipsburg takes over lead in football sectional power points

In the girls final, ninth-seeded Newton pushed the third-seeded North Hunterdon into a shootout, where the Lions prevailed, 3-2,thanks to goals by Emily Johnson, Alison Cafaro and Becca Fontana. Goalkeeper Alex Macce made three saves in the shootout to earn tournament MVP honors. Fontana’s goal five minutes into the second half tied the game at 1-1 and forced overtime.

North (9-6-1) captured its first tri-county girls title and its first county title of any kind since tournament MVP Jessica Irwin led the Lions to the Hunterdon/Warren crown in 2008.

Source: Lion Athletic News Hunterdon County Democrat boys, girls soccer update: Central boys, North girls take home H/W/S championships Hunterdon County Democrat boys, girls soccer update: Central boys, North girls take home H/W/S championships

NJ.com selects the top, statewide, individual football performances from Week 8 on the weekend of Oct. 27-28, 2017
Source: Lion Athletic News Who were N.J.'s top football players for Week 8? Here are 40 standouts Who were N.J.'s top football players for Week 8? Here are 40 standouts

NJ.com ranks the Top 10 high school football teams in Group for on Oct. 31 2017
Source: Lion Athletic News NJ.com Group 4 football rankings for Oct. 31, 2017 NJ.com Group 4 football rankings for Oct. 31, 2017

Becca Baucom scored off an assist from Hallie Mathews, but it wasn’t enough as North Hunterdon fell to Watchung Hills, 2-1, in Annandale.
Source: Lion Athletic News Watchung Hills (2) at North Hunterdon (1) – Field Hockey Watchung Hills (2) at North Hunterdon (1) – Field Hockey

Carly Bernstein scored in the first half to help 10th-seeded Millburn in a 4-1 win over seventh-seeded North Hunterdon, in the first round of the North Jersey, Section 2, Group 4 tournament, in Annandale.
Chloe Zegas collected a goal to help round out the scoring in the first half to give Millburn a 3-0 first half lead en route to …
Source: Lion Athletic News Millburn (4) at North Hunterdon (1), NJSIAA Tournament, First Round, North Jersey, Section 2, Group 4 – Girls Soccer Millburn (4) at North Hunterdon (1), NJSIAA Tournament, First Round, North Jersey, Section 2, Group 4 – Girls Soccer

Breaking down each of the brackets in North Jersey, Section 2.
Source: Lion Athletic News Boys Soccer: North Jersey, Section 2 state tournament preview, 2017 Boys Soccer: North Jersey, Section 2 state tournament preview, 2017

The third-seeded Lions were able to score in the second half to force overtime and eventually won a penalty kick shootout over ninth-seeded Newton after the teams had played to a 1-1 tie in the championship game of the Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex Tournament at Warren Hills High School.

Becca Fontana broke free and tucked away a one-on-one goal five minutes into the second half to force overtime. After two scoreless overtime periods, the game went to the shootout, which North Hunterdon won, 3-2.

Goalkeeper Alex Macce, named the tournament MVP, blocked Newton’s first, fourth and fifth attempts in the shootout, after allowing only one goal in regulation to a Newton team that had scored 16 goals through the first four rounds of the tournament.

“We’ve been tested all year,” North Hunterdon coach Steve DeLorenzo said. “These girls just amaze me every day.”

Emily Johnson, Alison Cafaro and Fontana scored on the first three shootout attempts for Hunterdon North, which was all the advantage that Macce needed to put it away and secure the Lions’ first title since 2008.

Source: Lion Athletic News Newton (1) at North Hunterdon (1), Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex Tournament, Final Round – Girls Soccer Newton (1) at North Hunterdon (1), Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex Tournament, Final Round – Girls Soccer

Click HERE to review the Photogallery on NJ.com. (Nick Scalera | For NJ Advance Media)

West Morris scored two early goals to take a 2-0 victory over North Hunterdon in Clinton Township.
Rachel Wells buried a goal three minutes into play off an assist from Bridget Moylan. At the nine-minute mark, Casey Lisa found the back of the net off a corner from Wells.
Alex Macce stopped two shots for North Hunterdon, while Rachel Wells …
Source: Lion Athletic News West Morris (2) at North Hunterdon (0) – Girls Soccer West Morris (2) at North Hunterdon (0) – Girls Soccer

County and conference tournaments are winding down but the big tournaments are about to begin. Before the state tournament starts, let’s see where the top teams stack up this week. NOTE: All record…
Source: Lion Athletic News Girls Volleyball: Big wins and tough losses galore in the NJ.com Top 20 for Oct. 28 Girls Volleyball: Big wins and tough losses galore in the NJ.com Top 20 for Oct. 28