Girls Soccer Continues Run Toward League Title

Since Ridgewood was eliminated in the Bergen Tournament, it's played flawless ball in all game aspects.

Especially yesterday, as the seniors played their last game at Maple Park Field, their talent and great perseverance for the win were so evident not even the rain could deter this team. Their mission was a victory, a step closer to claiming the league title, which is theirs if they can win their remaining two games.

So with the goal in sight, and the state tournament looming, the No. 6 Bergen-ranked Maroons (13-3-1) claimed, in dominating fashion, their fourth straight win, a 3-0 victory over West Milford (6-8-1).

The Maroons of late have been playing an assured brand of soccer.

"It helps to have a few wins in there to boost your confidence," senior forward Paige Pearson said. "We had a day off [after the tournament loss] to get back into the swing of things, and it really helped and now we’re just starting over, and focusing on each game one at a time."

Against West Milford, the gray gloom and wet drizzle did not halt that swing. The Maroons were constantly putting the pressure on their opponents, attacking from all directions, and defending as if one goal could end their season altogether.

The Highlanders began like a team ready for a fierce battle, but when the Maroons settled into their game, it became almost an offensive practice for the home squad.

Of course, star-studded Samantha Cermack led the attack up front. In the first half, and all through the game, she proved her amazing confidence with lightning-speed shots from all over the pitch. The pressure she brought had West Milford playing on its heels, and the attention she demanded—for it seems she can create space in any traffic and land an accurate strike—allowed her teammates room enough for scores of their own.

With seven minutes left in the opening half, Cermack attacked fiercely and speedily into the Highlander’s box, then pulled back and found Pearson alone on the run ready to receive the pass. When Pearson did, she sent the ball over the reach of the goalie to open the scoring.

Here, though, credit must also be given to Jessica Evanick, West Milford’s goalie. Many times she deflected near goals, often hitting the crossbar. Had she not played so superbly, her team might have lost by 10.

It was something of a wonder that, at the half, the Maroons were only leading by a single goal. I imagine that Coach Yearing was pleading with his squad to finish this one off.

In the second half, his team was crashing the net and playing fearlessly. Kimberly Porfido, Katie Garbarini, Sally Jentis, Pearson—the whole team really—were following Cermack’s lead, and West Milford constantly fought off the offensive onslaught.

It soon proved too much as Cermack added the second goal to increase the lead 10 minutes in. Not much time had ticked since Cermack’s goal, when Julie Campbell finished off another attack, striking a rebound into its supposed place, 3-0.

As usual, kudos must also be given to defender Abbey VanHorne, who was terrific on defense. Rarely did West Milford progress behind her, and furthermore, she played as a coach on the field, a motivator, and an instructor. To her favor, also, were her teammates who always retreated back to defense to ensure that the Highlanders were pressured at all times.

It must be accredited to Yearing that his players seem to always be in the right positions, communicating, making the right passes, using their bodies, controlling the ball, persevering even with the lead as if another goal was a necessity, and just playing with great skill in all facets of the game.

Ultimately, it was a very successful senior day.

“It was really good to get everyone out there, so it feels like everyone contributed whether or not they were on the field or on the bench,” Pearson said.

The Maroon’s remarkable run towards the league title continues at Wayne Valley, tomorrow at 4:15 p.m. With the team playing as it is, the Maroons will settle for nothing less.

"It’s really great," said Pearson, about the prospects of a league title. "Because IHA is in our league and it might be the last time that they are in our league. The fact that we were able to beat them and maybe win our league… There are so many teams in our league, so it’d be awesome.”

The state playoffs begin the first week of November.