Martin’s late goal helps Stuart upset Lawrence in quarterfinals
LAWRENCE >> When Stuart called a timeout late in the game, Missy Bruvik’s message to Catherine Martin was stay focused on the goal.
Martin did just as the coach requested and the result was a game-winning goal for the Tartans.
Martin’s goal at 2:56 of the second period led No. 7 Stuart to a 2-1 upset of No. 2 Lawrence in a Mercer County Tournament quarterfinal game played on the Cardinals turf on a sunny Tuesday.
The win sends the Tartans (9-2-1) to the MCT semifinals where they will meet No. 3 Allentown at 7:30 p.m. on the turf at Lawrence.
Allentown advanced with a 2-0 win over No. 6 Princeton Day.
“This is a big win for us,’’ said Bruvik. “We have worked hard and this good for the seniors and a great steppingstone for the underclassmen.’’
One of those underclassmen is Martin, a junior.
“This is a chance for us to prove ourselves going to the semifinals,’’ said Martin, who recorded her first goal of the season. “We know we have a good team and we know we’ll be ready.’’
Unfortunately for Lawrence (14-3-1), the Cardinals will now await the state tournament seedings and look to finish the season strong.
The Cardinals were dealt another problem when Talia Schenck, one of the premier players in the state, was lost to an injury. Schenck had 45 goals in 15 games.
“We really haven’t had enough time to make the adjustment without Talia,’’ said Lawrence coach Megan Errico. “We are relearning to play without her and now we look to the states and we have time to make the adjustments.’’
While Martin got the game winner off a pass from Caroline Mullen, it was Mullen giving the Tartans a 1-0 lead at the 17.29 mark of the first half. The goal came on a corner off an insert from Martin.
“Lawrence is a great team and they have so much speed,’’ Mullen said of the Cardinals. “They put up a great fight and we knew we were ready.’’
They were definitely ready on the corner.
“We always start with a direct shot and I have been practicing it a lot,’’ said Mullen, who now has nine goals on the season. “When I got the ball it saw and it and went for it.’’
An inspirational halftime speech by Errico had the Cardinals ready for the second half as they tied the game at 1-1 on a corner with just under four minutes gone in the half. Ola Kwasniewski took the insert from Jenna Cahill and sent a laser go the cage for the goal.
It appeared the game was headed toward overtime as both teams saw opportunities, corners and even a breakaway or two just miss, until Martin heeded the coach’s words.
“Our coach told me right before the goal to go right to pads,’’ recalled Martin. “So, I went right to pads.’’
It made for a perfect ending for the Tartans.
Stuart (9-2-1) 1 1 – 2
Lawrence (14-3-2) 0 1 – 1
Goals: S: Mullen, Martin. L: Kwasniewski.
Assists: S: Martin, Mullen. L: Cahill Shots: S 5 L: 5. Saves: S: Blandford 4. L: Wingerter 3.
NO. 4 PRINCETON 2,
NO. 5 NOTRE DAME 1 (OVERTIME) Morgan Swanke found the back of the cage and it propelled Princeton to the Mercer County Tournament semifinals for the second straight year.
The opponent will be top-seeded Lawrenceville for the Tigers. The game is set for 5:30 p.m. Thursday at Lawrence High.
“We played a great game against Notre Dame with every player on the field doing their part,’’ said Princeton coach Heather Serverson. “This team can do great things when we give our best together on the field.’’
Kate Liggio caged the other Tigers goal and the Irish got a goal from Sara Daniels off an assist from Emma Murray.
NO. 3 ALLENTOWN 2,
NO. 6 PRINCETON DAY 0
Allentown got a pair of goals from Kerri McCarthy and assists from Morgan Vaccaro and Kelly Noon to advance to the semifinals where they will face Stuart on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at Lawrence.
Princeton Day got a great game in the cage from Lexi Hausheer.
Allentown has won 10 straight games and has not allowed a goal in the last eight games. NO. 1 LAWRENCEVILLE 6, NO. 8 ROBBINSVILLE 0
The top-seeded Big Red, who are the three-time defending champion, advanced to the semifinals with a shutout win over the Ravens.
Princeton will be the opponent for Lawrenceville.