67 Highlander Drive, West Milford, NJ 07480

Sunday, September 25, 2011

FIELD HOCKEY:West Milford strikes it Rich; hands Ramsey its first loss

West Milford's Nicolette Rich.

By Rich Barton
NJS.com Staff Writer

RAMSEY – Saturday's field hockey match was just one of those where coaches have no need for motivational speeches. As the last two unbeaten teams left in North Jersey, Ramsey and West Milford would get to settled which is the best team in North Jersey at this point in the season the old-fashioned way: on the field. As expected, the game was an evenly-matched battle right from the opening whistle until the final minutes when one wayward shot did not directly find its mark, but ended up being the difference in the game anyway. West Milford's Nicolette Rich scored her second goal of the game with 4:27 to play to snap a tie and keep the Highlanders undefeated while handing Ramsey its first loss of the season with a hard-fought 2-1 triumph at Ramsey High School. "It was a roller coaster ride all game long, but we hung in there and toughed it out," said West Milford head coach Jill Cullen. Neither team could generate much offense as the teams combined to take just three shots over the first 18 minutes of play. After a shot in the opening minute, the Highlanders were on their heels for most of the first half. But the one true scoring chance they had they cashed in on. Samantha Browne, North Jersey's leading scorer coming into the game, had a shot on net that was saved by Ramsey keeper Rachel Moore. MORE...

MORE WEST MILFORD HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS COVERAGE