ND, A’town host sectional semis today

Some would figure the Notre Dame girls’ team has overachieved this season because it’s very young in some very key positions.

While the 12-3 record is very impressive, the Irish believe they still have more to accomplish despite their youth.

The No. 2 seeded Irish welcome No. 3 Colts Neck (17-2) for the second straight year in a Central Jersey Group III semifinal to Msgr. Nolan Field on Tuesday for a 4:30 p.m. draw with a berth in the sectional final on the line.

The other semifinal has No. 1 Allentown hosting No. 4 Jackson Liberty.

“The key for us will be to play great defense,’’ said ND coach Bryan Fisher. “We have to win the ground ball battle and play with great energy.’’

Down the stretch the Irish lost back-to-back games to Allentown (MCT’s) and to Mt. St. Mary’s.

Just to show how successful the ND program has been, that is the first time it lost two straight since the end of the 2013 season when it fell to Moorestown and West Windsor-Plainsboro North.

The defending CJ III champion Irish are looking to string a few wins together to be able to repeat, but the Cougars are a very formidable foe.

A win and a third showdown with Allentown could loom on the horizon.

“We are only thinking about Colts Neck,’’ said Fisher. “They will give us a great challenge. Semifinal games are difficult to win, and our focus is on advancing to a final.’’

The Irish are led by Danielle Losier with 45 goals and 11 assists, Jess Pisani chimes in with 22 goals and a teamhigh 17 assists, Maddie Rizzuto, one of the Irish’s senior leaders, has 27 goals.

Freshman Gabby Skowronski has scored 21 and has 11 assists. ND’s jack of all trades has been Ava Scudillo.

Colts Neck, which fell to ND 19-7 last year, has a 100goal scorer this season as senior Ally Largey has 101 goals and 34 assists. She is currently fifth in the state in goals and seventh in points.

Sarah Shaughnessy caged 53 goals and has 25 assists, Camryn Allmers has provided 49 goals and 28 assists, Nicole Policastro handles the chores in the cage.

It will be a good test for a young ND team.

“We have been working hard on improving our poise and confidence all over the field,’’ said Fisher. “The girls are giving a great effort at improving their overall game.’’

Because they still have things to accomplish.