Glen Rock celebrates its overtime win against Kinnelon in last years state sectional semifinals. They play again Thursday.
The scene above is so telling of what’s to come over the next two weeks. One team, in this case Glen Rock, celebrates a thrilling win, while another, in this case Kinnelon, laments a disappointing loss.
It’s like an edge-of-your-seat movie filled with all the ups and down, smiles and tears you would expect from a blockbuster. Only this is real.
Well, get ready for more of it. Over the next few weeks this scene will play out again and again and again.
The girls state soccer tournament quarterfinals are scheduled for Thursday (there’s also one game today) around North Jersey. Soggy weather is in the forecast tomorrow so bring a poncho and an umbrella if you’re taking in the action. As long as there’s no lightning, most teams are going to play. You gotta love turf.
Below is the schedule with times and locations. I’ve also broken down the key games in each group with area participants. Let’s get into it. (Area teams in bold)
North 1, Group 1
I know I used this picture last time. But it works perfect here. Park Ridge’s Mikaela Heyboer, left, and Waldwick’s Anna Pugliese lead their teams into the sectional quarterfinals.
Quarterfinals
Thursday
No. 8 PomptonLakes at No. 1 New Milford, 2
No. 5 Emerson at Waldwick, 2
No. 6 Belvidere at No. 3 Park Ridge, 2 at PascackValley
No. 10 Butler at No. 2 Hasbrouck Heights, 2 Â
Breakdown: The game to watch in this bracket is the game I’m covering: Emerson at Waldwick. They’ve played twice this year already with Waldwick winning both, the first 3-0, the second 1-0. The defending sectional champion Warriors will have their hands full trying to beat the Cavos a third time. Defense will be key but they’ve got to get their offense going to move on. They should be confident back in the state tournament. But Emerson is no pushover. I’m also interested to see what Pompton Lakes can do against New Milford. They are a good defensive team, which helps this time of year. But New Milford has some of the best offensive players in the section so it will be a test. Hasbrouck Heights scored twice in the second half of their opener to advance. If both they and Park Ridge advance, that would be some semifinal.
North 1, Group 2
Brianna Musco, who will play at Hofstra, is one goal away from 100 in her career.
Quarterfinals
Wednesday
No. 8 Lodi at No. 1 Pascack Hills, 3Â
Thursday
No. 5 Glen Rock at No. 4 Kinnelon, 2
No. 6 Pequannock at No. 3 Ramsey, 2
No. 10 North Warren at No. 2 Newton, 2
Breakdown: The Cowgirls are playing today. Their star forward Brianna Musco is one goal away from 100 in her career. Quite an accomplishment if she reaches it. But the biggest game in this bracket has to be Glen Rock at Kinnelon. They have played the last four years in states and Glen Rock has won each time. Not only do I think Kinnelon wants a spot of revenge in meeting No. 5, but I also think they have the talent to do it. They’re so good they could wind up winning the whole thing. Ramsey-Pequannock should also be a good one, though I think the Rams should win based on talent and experience in this situation.
North 1, Group 3
Ramapo midfielder Caroline Chagares, right, and Northern Highlands’ Ariel Somple look headed for a third meeting on the year in the sectional semifinals.
Quarterfinals
Thursday
No. 8 Montville at No. 1 Wayne Hills, 2 Â
No. 5 Old Tappan at No. 4 River Dell, 2
No. 6 Mahwah at No. 3 Ramapo, noon
No. 7 Lakeland at No. 2 Northern Highlands, 11 a.m.
Breakdown: Wayne Hills, Northern Highlands and Ramapo are big favorites in their games. I think Mahwah can give the Raiders a game if they don’t come out firing. But Ramapo still has the edge based on top-tier talent. The Old Tappan-River Dell game is the one to watch. River Dell has been peaking late in the season led by a young roster that is suddenly playing very mature soccer. Few mistakes, opportunistic scoring, solid defense and good goalie play have this team in position to make the semifinals. Old Tappan is a little beat up, missing their starting goalie and battling a few other injuries to starters. That’s why I’m giving River Dell the edge. But OT plays good D so I don’t see it being lopsided. 1-0 could do it. That would set up an interesting battle against the Patriots in the semis. It would be a good test for them, facing one of the top 10 teams in Bergen County. Perhaps they could quiet a few of the doubters with a win there.
North 1, Group 4
Ridgewood freshman Hannah Cermack, left, will be key to the Maroons offensive performance against Livingston.
Quarterfinals
Thursday
No. 8 Fair Lawn at No. 1 Montclair, noon
No. 5 Kearney at No. 4 Randolph,
No. 6 Ridgewood at No. 3 Livingston, 2
No. 7 Roxbury at No. 2 Clifton, 2
Breakdown: Now is when we get to see how good Ridgewood really is. Sure, they had a win over IHA in the regular season. But if they beat Livingston, the second best team in Essex county, we’ll know they are legit threats to make a run at the finals. Livingston is favored, no doubt. But I think Ridgewood can upset them if they come in with a nothing-to-lose mentality and take it to Livingston from the jump. As I said in my previous blog, I think the Maroons are more dangerous when they open things up and don’t drop 8-9 in the box. That doesn’t mean it will work against a team as well coached as Livingston. But I like the Maroons chances. Clifton should win. If Fair Lawn does too it will be the upset of the tournament.
Lyndhurst senior Amanda Nowak, left, is one of its biggest keys to success because she plays all over the field.
North 2, Group 2
Quarterfinals
Thursday
No. 9 Caldwell at No. 1 Lyndhurst, 4
No. 5 Bernards at No. 4 Hanover Park
No. 6 Parsippany at No. 3 Madison
No. 7 Whippany Park at No. 2 Science Park
Breakdown: There is a consensus that Lyndhurst is going to roll through this bracket. Well, this is their first game after a bye, so the most important thing is getting off to a good start. That means keeping Caldwell off the board first and foremost, then building the attack from the back. If they do that they’ll be in good shape to make the prognosticators look good.
Sophia Gulati, center, is one of IHA’s top play makers in the middle.
North, Non-Public A
Quarterfinals
Thursday
No. 8 Union Catholic at No. 1 Immaculate Heart, 2 Â
No. 5 Kent Place at No. 4 DePaul, 2
No. 6 Holy Angels at No. 3 Paramus Catholic, 2
No. 7 Mount St. Dominic at No. 2 Pope John
Breakdown: IHA should roll. DePaul is in a toss up game. I’m going to be watching to see what happens between Holy Angels and Paramus Catholic. They played a 4-3 thriller earlier in the year with PC coming out on top. If this game is anything like that one, it could be the best of the entire day. I don’t think the scoring will be quite as high. But I imagine the intensity and competitiveness will.
Erin Vander Plaat leads Eastern Christian in scoring.
North, Non-Public B
Quarterfinals
Thursday
No. 9 Morristown Beard at No. 1 Villa Walsh
No. 5 Dwight Englewood at No. 4 Montclair Kimberley, 2
No. 6 Queen of Peace at No. 3 Eastern Christian, 2 at Eastern Christian middle school
No. 7 Oak Knoll at No. 2 Morris Catholic
Breakdown: Eastern Christian has wanted to win sectionals since I started at The Record in 2008. It would somewhat ironic if this was the team that did it, considering how hyped their past teams were and how overlooked this one has been. Obviously that’s going to take winning their first game and then likely upsetting Morris Catholic. But hey, you never know.
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