What to watch for from MCT quarterfinals
Once Ava Greene caught the field hockey bug there was no looking back.
The Princeton High senior, who started out as a soccer player, is anxious to make a difference in the midfield as the No. 4 Tigers prepare to face No. 5 Notre Dame in the Mercer County Tournament quarterfinals on Tuesday.
The two Colonial Valley Conference teams square off at 3:30 p.m. on the turf at Princeton.
“We still have a few things to work on, but we are ready for the tournament,” said Greene, who is going to play at Susquehanna next fall. “This year we are working on being relentless and that is what we have to continue to do and let the other team know we are not backing down.”
The Tigers (12-2-1) are 6-0-1 in the last seven and have been led by a strong defense.
“Everything starts with defense for us,” said Greene. “We are always talking with each other and looking to find the best way to play any opponent.”
The Irish (10-5) are a very familiar opponent as just last Thursday the Tigers took a 1-0 win over ND.
Greene has six goals, Morgan Swanke leads with 16, Ria Sharma has six and Eleanor Wilkinson has five and six assists.
ND is led by Sara Daniels with 17 goals and 10 assists, Cate Buecker, who has been injured, has 16 goals and eight assists. Brennan Pinto has been solid in the cage for the Irish.
This is Greene’s senior season and a tourney run would be some sweet icing on the season.
“This year has been everything I could have hoped for and even more,” said Greene. “This sport brings me so much joy and the team this year has been amazing. Working as a team really makes me happy.”
NO. 6 PDS (7-5-3) AT
NO. 2 ALLENTOWN (12-1)
The Redbirds have won nine straight and have proven to be a team that plays both ends of the field with not only passion, but precision.
They have not allowed a goal in seven games.
“Our defense as a whole has really stepped up,” said Dana Schleider, one of the Allentown co-coaches. “Our regulars in the back, Devon Mazza, Christina LaSalle and Erin Murphy have been vocal and directing the play on the field.”
Kerri McCarthy leads Allentown with 19 goals, Morgan Vaccaro has 12 assists and Gabi Leach has 10 goals and four assists in the last six games.
“Gabi has been a great all-around player this season,” said Schleider. “She can transition to multiple positions and execute. Her offensive spark and leadership has certainly helped the last several games.”
Princeton Day is a young team this season, but one that can cause some problems.
It all starts with Lexi Hausheer, the reigning Prep Goalie of the Year, in the cage. Hausheer, who is headed to Cornell next season, has risen to the occasion many times for the Panthers.
NO. 7 STUART (8-2-1) AT NO. 2 LAWRENCE (13-2-1)
Lawrence is unbeaten at 8-0-1 in the last nine games and the Cardinals have one of the premier players in the state in Talia Schenck.
Schenck has missed the last couple games with an injury, but the other Cardinals have risen to the occasion.
“We really are a complete team,” said Megan Errico, the Lawrence coach. “Ola Kwasniewski is a dominating player that truly controls the field. Our defense has been overlooked and has been dominant.”
Madison Wingerter has been in the goal for Lawrence and she has notched 10 shutouts.
Ashley Belgrave, a sweeper, has moved to forward and it has paid dividends for Lawrence.
“Defense is a key and to score early,” said Errico. “If we can score early I have a great amount of faith in our midfield and defense.”
It’s a pretty good Stuart team coming to Lawrence, also with a pretty good defense.
The Tartans have eight wins and all have been by a shutout and they have allowed just two goals in the last eight games.
Caroline Mullen with eight goals and six assists has been the spark for Stuart.
NO. 8 ROBBINSVILLE (9-6) AT NO. 1 LAWRENCEVILLE (8-2)
The Big Red are the three-time defending MCT champion and they appear ready for another run.
Olivia Koch has five goals for Lawrenceville and will be a force on the field for the Big Red, who has won six straight and have outscored the opposition 31-1 during that span.
Robbinsville started the season off 2-3 and have gone 7-3 since then and are vastly improved.
They are led by Hannah Shea with nine goals and four assists, Karina Bharatiya has eight goals and five assists and the defense has been solid during the stretch.