Courier-Post from Camden, New Jersey • Page 48

courlerpostonllrw.comvartlty 4V COURIER-POST, Saturday, May 30. 2009 VARSITY LACROSSE "Moorastowrfs reigm comtimraes By DAVE EVES Courier-Post Staff Guils Lacrosse NJSIAA Touuney MOORESTOWN 12 RIDGEWOOD 6 teedlntjS In parenlhesla Rd Bank CatrwHc 10 Northern Burlington 9 SOUTH OROU I Wedneaday, Ma, Friday, May II Hopewell Valley 1.S Red Bank dilute 10 SOUTH GROUP 1 vj unfr rteiliilUraJ CHRIS LaCHALLCourier Post Moorestown's Katrina Martinelli (left), In action earlier this week against Shawnee, scored four goals In Friday's State Group 3 championship game against Ridgewood. HOW GIRLS' LACROSSE TOP 10 FARED ROBBINSVILLE If winning a girls' lacrosse game is never easy, then winning 208 in a row should be next to impossible. However, that is what Moorestown achieved Friday with its 12-6 victory over Ridgewood in the State Group 3 championship game at Robblnsvllle. The Quakers have now upped their streak to 208 straight wins over New Jersey opponents as they captured their 10th straight state crown.

They have been the only winners of the state Tournament of Champions title. "You never get used to it," said Moorestown head coach Deanna Knobloch. "You just keep wanting more." Another thing Moorestown is not used to: long stretches without scoring. But that's what happened Friday as the Quakers went 20 minutes without celebrating a goal. Ridgewood and Moorestown were locked in a defensive struggle and the game's first goal didn't come until the Quakers' Kelsey Miller slipped one in with just 4:48 left in the first half.

"That was the most intense 20 minutes of lacrosse, in both directions, that I have ever been a part of," Knobloch said. "Their team came out on fire. We came out just as hard and both teams were playing to perfection. "I think we just needed to score a goal and get it rolling from there." Moorestown then poured HOW BOYS' LACROSSE Clwry Hill Eeel 18) It. Soutnem Regional It) Rancocae Valley It) Com Need (II) Freehold Tp.

(7) 20. Bik Memorial (10) 7 Tome River North It Mrlrvm (1?) Monday, My II Eaitem (1) 11, Cherry Hi In 12 Chaiokao 14) 12. Toma River North 11, OT lanapa (3) 10. Rancocal VaHay 2 Washington Tap 14, Freehold Two 8 Thuraday, May 21 Cherokee IS. Easlem 14 Washington Two 16, Lanapa 12 Wadnaaday, May 27 Washington Two.

10. Clwokat 9 SOUTH OflOUP Saturday, May It Ocaan Two It) 19. Lacay Two (9) IS Ocean City It) 16 Mainland (11) Weal Windsoi.Plainaboro South (7) 11, Jackson Liberty 1 10) 10 Tueeday, May 19 Mooraatown (1) 19, Ocaan Two. 2 Senaca (4) 15. Toms Rivar South (5) 4 Clearview (3) It, Ocaan City Shawnea (2) 19, Windaor-Plainsboro South 1 Thursday, May 21 Moorestown 19, Seneca 3 Shawnee 14, Clearvtew 13 Wednesday, May 27 Moorestown 11, Shawnee SOUTH GROUP 2 Friday, May It Middle Twp.

(6) 13. Bamegat 191 12 Notre Dams 16) 14. Monmouth (11) 9 Red Bank Regional (7) Wall (10) Monday, May It Hopewell Valley (1) 20, Middle Twp. 3 Manasquan (5) 16. Pnncelon (4) IS Red Bank Catholic (3) 17, Notre Dams 7 Northern Burlington (2) 18, Red Bank Regional Thuraday.

May 21 Hopewell Valley 19. Manasquan 4 Ridgewood came alive late in the second half, scoring all six of its goals. However, every time Ridgewood seemed to be putting it together, Moorestown had an answer. All four of Martinelli's goals and three of Dougherty's came in the second half. And each of them had a goal in response to a Ridgewood score.

By the time Ridgewood did get a 4-0 run No. Team Rac Result 1. Moorestown 23-1 W-Shawnee 11-6; W-Ridgewood 12-6 2. Shawnee 15-4 L-Moorestown 11-6 3. Seneca 15-4 4.

Holy Cross 15-4 L-Shore Regional 10-7 5. Ctearvtew 13-5 6. Washington Twp. 15-4 W-Crierokee 10-9 7. Cherokee 10-6 L-Washington Twp.

10-9 8. Eastern 13-6 9. Northern Burlngton 13-4 10. Letup 12-7 W-Cherry Hill West 12-8 The Top 10 is selected by staff writer Don Benevento. He can be reached by calling (856) 486-2424, by fax at (856) 663-2831 or by e-mail at dbeneventocourierpostonline.com.

The final rankings will be released Wednesday, June 10. "Our ultimate goal is to get our 10th straight Tournament of Champions title," Dougherty said. "That's what we are working for now." she did just an excellent job in goal in the first half." Moorestown will play in the first round of the Tournament of Champions on Tuesday. Quakers' upset bid falls short Cherokee) 19-1 W-Montclair 9-5: L-Bridgewater-Raritan 12-7 2. Stfcejnttie 17-4 L-St Joseph, Meluchen 10-6 1 Shawm 18-4 W-West Windsor-Plainboro South 9-7; L-Ridgewood VMS 4.

MoorettMni 14-8 W-West Morris Central 10-5; L-Summit 9-8 5. Cknniew 14-4 6. faster. 11-8 7. Northtni Builngtofl 10-5 8.

Lena pa 10-8 9. WiiHahia Tirp. 10-8 10. Hnpwy 10-8 The Top 10 is selected by staff writer Don Benevento. He can be reached by calling (856) 486-2424, by fax at (856) 663-2831 or by e-mail at dbeneventocourierpostonline.com.

The final rankings will be released Thursday, June 1 1 Boys' Lacrosse NJSIAA Tourney Soedlngt In paranttwlt Play ol the game: Moorestown's Kelsey Miller broke open a scoreless game with a goal that came 20:12 into the first half. The Quakers took the lead and never looked back. Player of the game: Moorestown's Katrina Martinelli andJenna Dougherty both finished with four goals. All four of Martinelli's goals came In the second half, while Dougherty had three after the break. Stat of the game: The Quakers won their 208th straight game against New Jersey opponents and will compete for their 1 0th straight Tournament of Champions crown.

in three more to take a 4-0 lead at the half. "I think at the beginning it was nerves a little bit We were feeling out the other team and how they were going to play," said Jenna Dougherty, who notched four goals. "Once we got our first goal, then it hit us. "That first goal kind of paved the path for the rest of the game." The junior couldn't have been more right. In the second half, Moorestown came out swinging by posting four more goals before the 20-minute mark.

"We stalled playing our game and that's when we got on top," said Katrina Martinelli, who also tallied four goals on the day. "We had a little letdown at the end, but overall we played a great game against a great team, so I am really happy with our win." The "letdown" was when TOP 10 FARED Summit 9, Moorestown 8 PUBLIC GROUP 1 By Saturday, May 16 CakJweU (16) 12. Delaware Valley (17) 5 Glen Rock (12) 5, Allentown (21) 4 Indian Hills (13) d. Verona (20) Jefferson (14) 11, Bernards (19) 9 Madison (11) 13, Pequannock (22) 0 Mahwah (10) 20. Middle Twp.

(23) 3 Manasquan (15) 6, Boonton (18) 3 Wednesday, May 20 Mountain Lakes (1) 9, Caldwell 4 Crantord (8) 16, North Warren (9) 11 Glen Ridge (5) 5, Glen Rock 4 Kinnelon (4) 15, Indian Hills 5 West Essex (3) 12, Jefferson 5 Madison 10, Rumson-Fair Haven (6) 9 A.L Johnson (7) 16, Mahwah 10 Chatham (2) 14, Manasquan 3 Saturday, May 23 Mountain Lakes 9, Cranford 2 Kinnelon 15, Glen Ridge 7 Madison 11, West Essex 10 Chatham 9, A.L. Johnson 8 Tuesday, May 26 Kinnelon 8, Mountain Lakes 6 Chatham 11, Madison 5 Friday, May 29 Kinnelon vs. Chatham NON-PUBLIC GROUP A Wednesday, May 20 Don Bosco Prep (8) 19, Monwgnor Donovan (9) 3 Christian Brothers (6) 14. Paramus Catholc (11)2 Notre Dame (10) 12, Red Bank Cathohc (7) 9 Friday. May 22 St.

Augustine (2) 16, Notre Dame 4 Saturday, May 23 Debarton (1) 17, Don Bosco Prep 5 Bergen Catholic (4) 11. Seton HaH (5) 10 St Joseph, Meluchen (3) 10, Chnstian Brothers 2 Tuesday, May 26 Defbarton 11, Bergen Catholic 4 St. Joseph, Meluchen 10, St. Augustine 6 Friday, May 29 Delbarton vs. St.

Joseph, Metuchen NON-PUBLIC GROUP Wednesday, May 20 Camden Catholic (9) 8, Holy. Cross (8) 7 Newark Academy (7) 12, Moorestown Frds (10) 2 Friday, May 22 Immaculate (1) 17, Camden Catholic 2 Saturday, May 23 Pope John XXIII (5) 9, DePaui (4) 9 Mornstown Beard (3) 15, Ranney School (6) 6 Pingry (2) 11. Newark Academy 5 Tuesday, May 26 Immaculate 16. Pope John XXIII 4 Pingry 11, Mornstown Beard 8 Friday, May 29 Immaculate vs. Pmgry TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS Monday.

June 1 No 5 seed vs No 4 seed at Bndgewater-Fiantan, 5 pm No 6 seed vs No 3 seed at Bridgewater-Raritan, 7 pm Wednesday. June 3 5-No 4 wtrmer vs. No 1 seed at Keen University. Union. 7 pm.

No 6-No. 3 winner vs. No. 2 seed at Kern Union 5 pm Satunliy, June 6 Final at Rutj University, 3 p.m. Saturday, May 16 Bernards it) 14, CoWngawood 19) 9 Madraon It) It, Monsignor Donovan (12) 1 Kent Place t) 21.

RoWinsville (11) New Egypt (10) 18, Camden Catholic (7) 18 Tuesday, May 19 Holy Croaa (1) Bernards 8 Oak Knoa 4) 9, Madison 8 Shore Regional (3) 13, Kern Place 12 Chatham (2) 14, New Egypt 2 Thuraday, May 21 Holy Croaa 12. Oak Knoll 11 Shore Regional 13, Chatham 12 Wadneeday, May 27 Shore Regional 10, Holy Cross 7 STATE GROUP 4 CHAMPIONSHIP Saturday, May 30 Waahington Twp vs. Brtdgewaler-Rantan at Rob-btnsviile. 10 a.m. STATE GROUP 3 CHAMPIONSHIP frtdey, Mey 29 Moorestown 12, Ridgewood 8 STATE GROUP 2 CHAMPIONSHIP Friday, May 29 Hopewell Valley va Weal Essen STATE GROUP 1 CHAMPIONSHIP Saturday, May 30 Shore Regional vs.

Mountain Lakes at Robbtne- vtlle. noon TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS Tuesday, June 2 Semitinal al Monmouth University, 3 or m. Semifinal al Monmouth University, 3 or 5 Saturday, June Final at Rutgers University, 1 p.m. going, there were only 46 seconds left and they were still down by six. The Quakers' brilliant offense almost stole the spotlight from their stellar defense, but it wasn't going unnoticed for coach Knobloch.

"I thought our goalie, Karli Tobin, played a great game," Knobloch said. "She split time in goal today like we have done all year, but SUMMIT 9 MOORESTOWN 8 What State Group 2 title game Player of the game: Kyle Mahoney scored four goals to lead the Summit win. Play of the game: Mahoney fired in a shot with 34 seconds to play for the winning goal. Stat of the game: Moorestown, the only South Jersey team to ever win a state title, narrowly missed coming away with its third crown. the game.

Brian Lapres led the Quakers with four goals in a game that was at least partially decided by two late turnovers. Moorestown forced the first one, and then was guilty of the second one. With the teams tied at 8-8, Summit was trying to run down the clock in hopes of setting up a last shot. But with 1:34 to play, Ian Lubin knocked the ball (Moorestown was the other) to ever play in such a game. That may or may not explain why the Renegades got off to such a slow start They fell behind 3-0 early in the first quarter and could never quite work themselves back into the game.

However, that is not to say that the Renegades disappeared. They used the first of two goals by Chris LaPierre to close the deficit to 3-1 and then used LaPierre's second goal to pull within 4-2. But each Shawnee challenge was met by fierce resistance from Ridgewood. In the end, Ridgewood used four goals by Ryan Po-lak and two by Sam Muller to pull away. "Every time we got close, they hit us with a couple of goals," said Shawnee coach Tim Gushue.

"That gets frustrating after a while." Shawnee went into the game expecting to be challenged. Ridgewood usually ranks as one of the top teams in the state, and this year was no different "We knew they were going to be tough to beat, but our kids gave it their best By DON BENEVENTO Courier-Post Staff BASKING RIDGE Once again it's been proven that a moral victory isn't quite as satisfying as those achieved on the field. It just didn't matter to the Moorestown boys' lacrosse team that they gave it their best shot against a heavily favored team only to come up short in the State Group 2 title game. But coach Baron Wal-lenhurst couldn't help but be proud of his team after a hard-fought 9-8 loss to Summit. "We just lost to one of the two best teams in the state," said Wallenhurst, after his team gave up a goal with 34 seconds to play.

"We gave them everything we wanted, but they came away with the win." Kyle Mahoney scored the winning goal, connecting for the fourth time in Ridgewood too much for No. 3 Shawnee away and Chris O'Donnell scooped it up, giving the Quakers possession. Moorestown took a timeout with 1:26 left in the hopes of setting up its own winning play. But an unforced turnover at 1:14 gave the ball back to Summit. And this time Summit ran a perfect set play that ended with James Kennedy feeding the ball to Mahoney, who put it in for a score.

Moorestown never got a good opportunity after that as Summit was able to regain possession on a loose ball as time ticked away. "We played them very tough," Wallenhurst said. "It was just a matter of a few things going awry." The Moorestown players knew they were going to be under a lot of pressure throughout the game, and that was amplified when Summit scored three goals in the opening 2:30 to RIDGEWOOD SHAWNEE 11 6 What Group 4 state final Player of the game: Ridgewood's Ryan Polak scored four goals to lead his team to the win. Play of the game: Polak scored two goals eight seconds apart in the third quarter to break it open. Stat of the game: Shawnee was making its first-ever appearance in the state final.

shot," Gushue said. "We lost to a better team, but I'm proud of what this group accomplished, except that today I feel bad for the seniors." The leader of that senior group is LaPierre, who played the last high school game of his brilliant career. He fought hard to keep his team in contention, but the Renegades simply found themselves overmatched. "We knew they would be good," LaPierre said. "I think we struggled a little bit on offense, but they hit us with the best defense we've seen all year.

"I think we were prepared and ready to play them. They just do a lot of good things." Reach Don Benevento at (856) 486-2424 or take command. But Moorestown has faced that type of situation from playing good teams all season, and the Quakers did not panic. Instead, they answered with three goals of their own, with tallies coming from Eric DeS-tefano, Lapres and John Marcelli. "We definitely were not favored to win this game," Andrew Berry said.

"I think the only people who thought we were going to win this game was Moorestown people. But we came back and made it a game." That outburst breathed life into a team that knew it was battling against the odds. Despite getting back into the game, there was never a point when the Quakers were totally able to turn the momentum. Reach Don Benevento at (856) 486-2424 or Cherokee turned away Courier-Post staff Cherokee's bid for the state Group 4 boys' lacrosse championship fell short Friday at Watchung Hills High School. The Chiefs, 16-2 and the top-ranked team in the Courier-Post Top 10, were beaten by Bridgewater-Raritan 12-7.

Cherokee held a 4-3 lead at halftime and had a slim one-goal advantage going into the final quarter. But Bridgewater-Raritan outscored the Chiefs 7-1 in the final quarter. Lenny Fox tallied three goals, with Devon Thomas and Bobby Thorp getting two each, to lead the Chiefs. Field Hockey DiBease resigns at Camden Catholic Monica DiBease has stepped down as field hockey coach at Camden Catholic after 14 seasons. The highly successful coach (155-67-26) is relocating out of state.

Under her leadership, the Irish won three South Jersey Group 2 championships and four Olympic Conference National Division titles. PUBLIC GROUP 4 Saturday, May 16 Clitlon (16) 16, Egg Harbor Twp. (17) 2 Tuesday, May 19 or Wednesday, May 20 Cherokee (1) 16. Clifton 6 Lenape (9) 9, Freehold Twp. (8) 7 Hunterdon Central (5) 18.

North Brunswick (12) 9 Montclair (4) 16, Old Bridge (13) 1 Randolph (3) 11, Pascack Valley (14) 3 Hillsborough (6) 11, Washington Twp. (11) 7 Eastern (7) 10, Jackson Memorial (10) 3 Bndgewater-Rarttan (2) 14. Howell (15) 1 Friday, May 22 Cherokee 11, Cenapa 4 Saturday, May 23 Montclair 12, Hunterdon Central 4 Bridgewater-Raritan 11, Eastern 3 Randolph 8, Hillsborough 5 Tuesday, May 26 Cherokee 9, Montclair 5 Bridgewater-Raritan 13, Randolph 7 Friday, May 29 Bndgewater-Raritan 12, Cherokee 7 PUBLIC GROUP 3 Saturday, May 16 Toms River South (17) 8. Mainland (16) 4 Kmgsway (13) 15. Bergen Tech (20) 1 Morns Knofis (14) 5.

Wayne Hilts (19) 3 Cherry Hill West (15) 6, Brick Twp. (18) 5 Tuesday, May 19 or Wednesday, May 20 Ridgewood (1) 21, Toms River South 4 Mornstown (8) 6, Roxbury (9) 7 West WiraJsa-Ptainsboro North (5) 13. Colts Neck (12) 1 Montgomery (4) 13, Kingsway 4 Shawnee (3) 11, Moms KnoKs 2 Fair Lawn (11) 7, Oearvww (6) 6 Ridge (7) 18. Vernon Twp. (10) 6 West Wirtdsa-Plainsboro South (2) 14, Cherry Hi West 0 Saturday, May 23 Shawnee 16.

Fair Lawn 2 Ridgewood 18, Mornstown 6 Montgomery 11, West Windsor Platnsboro North 6 West Windsor Ptamsboro South 12, Ridge 4 Tuesday. May 26 Ridgewood 10, Montgomery 6 Snawnee 9. West Wmdsor-Plainsboro South 7 Friday. May 29 Rtdgewood 11, Shawnee 6 PUBLIC GROUP 2 Thursday, May 14 West Deptlord (18) 9, Hoimrjel (15) fl QT Saturday. May 16 Mount Okve (16) 6.

Milibum (17) 5 HopeweH Vatiey (14) 9. Ocean Crty (19) 3 Wednesday, May 20 Summit (1) 9, Mount Ohve 1 Montvrfte (8) 5. Northern Burtmgton (9) 3 Froeton (5) 13. Wayne Vaitey (12) 4 West Moms Mendham (4) 16. Seneca (13) 2 Moorestown (3) 13, HopeweH Valley 3 Red Bank Regional (6) 16, Northern Highlands (11) 10 Ramapo (7) 17.

Voorhees (10) 1 West Morris Central (2) 16. West Oepttord 2 Friday, May 22 Moorestown 20. Red Bank Pegtona. 6 Saturday, May 23 Summit 1R MontvHIt 5 West Moms Mendham 12. Princeton 10 West Moms Central 8, Rarnapo 6 Tuesday, May 26 Sumrr 6.

West Morris Mendham 3 Moorestown 10. West Moms Central 5 By DON BENEVENTO Courier-Post Staff BASKING RIDGE There were a few tears after the game as the players on the Shawnee boys' lacrosse team battled to control their emotions in the wake of a disappointing loss, but there was a sense of pride as well. A team with a core group of 13 seniors, the Renegades had never ventured this far into the state tournament. And that fact alone was almost enough to erase the sting of an 11-6 loss to Ridgewood Friday in the Group 4 state championship game. Almost.

"I've played on this team for four years and each year you could see us getting a little better," said senior attack Max Peezick. "We finally got to the state final, and even though we didn't win it, it's a great thing." South Jersey teams are still the newcomers when it comes to playing in state boys' lacrosse tournament finals. The No.3-ranked team in the Courier-Post Top 10, Shawnee became only the second boys' team Friday, May.