Sunday, September 14, 2008

By Cory K. Doviak
NJS.com Editorial Director

Samantha Fiorenzo set up the game-winner for Northern Highlands, setting up Tara Corbett in the third minute of overtime as NH won a key early season NBIL matchup against Ramapo, 2-1.

ALLENDALE — Despite being one of North Jersey’s top girls soccer programs on a year in-year out basis, Northern Highlands has always seemed to meet its Waterloo against Ramapo. Whether it was in regular season play in Division 1 of the NBIL, in the North 1, Group 3 state sectional playoffs, Highlands hasn’t had much luck over the last three years against its fiercest rival. And Monday could have added the to the Highlanders’ frustration had it not been for Tara Corbett.

Corbett, a junior striker who was inserted in the second half, was right where she was supposed to be when Samantha Fiorenzo crossed a ball in from the right side. Corbett the first to it and she picked the low right corner to knock three minutes into overtime to give Highlands a 2-1 win, a 2-0 start to its season and a win over Ramapo for the first time since 2005.

”It feels great, finally. It only took us three years to beat them,” said Highlands head coach Tara Madigan, whose team opened the season with a 6-0 win over Demarest. “We know first hand how good a team Ramapo is and it was frustrating that we couldn’t put one in when we had chances. To get that goal from Tara Corbett in overtime, that is a great feeling and a great win for us.”

Corbett had a chance to end the game a couple of minutes earlier when she got free up the left side and rolled one across the goal that just skidded past the opposite post, but she made good on her next opportunity.

Brooke Bandazian scored Ramapo's lone goal, converting a breakaway chance in the 18th minute.

“Sam [Fiorenzo] dribbled the ball down to the corner and she took it back toward the middle. She chipped it right over one girls head and I was just there to put it in right before the goalie got it,” said Corbett. “I felt a lot of pressure because we wanted this win so bad. The crowd was behind us and making noise and that helped us at the end.”

What hurt Northern Highlands through the first 80 minutes was its inability to connect in the final third. The Highlanders scored the game’s first goal just eight minutes in only to see Ramapo come back and tie the score in the 18th minute.

Stacey Kadell got the Highlanders on the board when she found some space near the top of the box and buried her shot in the upper right. Brooke Bandazian tied it for Ramapo when she got free and went low left in a 1-v-1 situation.
But shortly thereafter, Highlands began to control possession and Kadell, a senior transfer from Immaculate Heart Academy, was a big part of it. Her speed and aggressiveness give Northern Highlands a viable offensive option in the middle of the field. And she also got her first taste of NBIL girls soccer and the Highlands/Ramapo rivalry.

“I feel some pressure and it is kind of hard to come in as a senior and try to make a difference on a new team. I was nervous today because I didn’t really know the rivalry. I know IHA and Highlands have a huge rivalry, but nothing compared to this,” said Kadell, who has already accepted a full scholarship offer to the University of Central Florida. “I am just happy to be a part of this team, I love the girls and the school and I want to do what I can to help us win games.”

Catherine Broder made 6 saves for Northern Highlands.

Ramapo had a chance to take the lead early in the second half when, in the 48th minute, Avery Jackson hit a corner kick to the middle of the field right around the 18-yard line. Kellie Wiederhold ran on and clipped the first touch with the outside of her right foot and got a shot on goal. But Highlands keeper Catherine Broder closed it down easily at the right post and the Highlanders had most of the play thereafter.

“Today Highlands is the better team and today is September 15. Next time we play Highlands or anybody else, we are going to be better. It’s all a growth curve and this is the harsh part of the curve,” said Ramapo head coach Paul Heenehan. “We tried to slow the game down and we were unsuccessful. On our second and third touch we were too susceptible to pressure. Working out of our defensive third I don’t think we were all on the same page, but that is part of it being the early part of the season and we’ll fight through that. We are going to be better for this, but on September 15 Highlands is the better team.”

The Highlanders played like it for most of the second half and had plenty of opportunities. They won three corner kicks in a two minute span starting with just under 18 minutes to play and got two shots off, but both of them went wide.

Caroline Shiel was tested in the Ramapo goal and finished with 9 saves.

With two minutes left in regulation, Kadell sent Alex Hubelbak in to the right of Ramapo keeper Caroline Shiel, but Shiel was up to the task as she got involved in a three-way collision with Hubelbank and a trailing defender to keep the game even.

So when Corbett finally netted the game winner in the extra session, it was a relief and a confidence booster for Highlands, which swarmed the goal scorer in celebration.

“I felt like that goal was coming, but it took longer than I wanted. I was just happy that we were able to put one in before they did because they are very dangerous and can take advantage of even one opportunity,” said Madigan. “It doesn’t matter if you out play them, it only matters if you put more in the back of the net. We got the one we needed and I think my team is very proud of themselves. We came in with some confidence, but not as much as we are walking off with right now.”

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