What to watch for from MCT semifinals
The semifinals are always the most interesting and pressure filled round of any tournament, and the 2019 version of the Mercer County Field Hockey Tournament looks like it’s going to live up to the hype.
One of the interesting things this year is that a No. 7 seed has reached the semifinals.
Over the last several year the seeds have held, so having seventh-seeded Stuart in the semifinals shows the high caliber of the competitors.
There are two games on tap Thursday on the turf at Lawrence High.
The 5:30 p.m. game features top-seeded and three time defending champion Lawrenceville (9-2) against No. 4 Princeton (13-2-1).
The nightcap at 7:30 p.m. has No. 2 Allentown (13-1) facing the No. 7 Tartans (9-2-1).
The championship game is set for Saturday at 6 p.m. at Lawrence.
The title game will be video streamed on WBCBsports. com.
Here is a closer look at both semifinal games: LAWRENCEVILLE VS. PRINCETON
The Big Red advanced with shutout wins over Steinert and Robbinsville and are no stranger to the MCT, having won three straight and seven of the last eight.
The losses Lawrenceville has suffered have come to Episcopal and Moorestown. Since the Moorestown defeat, it has reeled off seven straight wins, including six by shutout.
Lawrenceville has two PG’s who will be on the sideline as MCT rules do not permit any fifth-year students.
One of the keys for the Big Red has been the play of Olivia Koch, who has five goals. Lizzie Huesman and Caroline Foster along with goalie Maddie Zeleznik are keys for the Big Red to reach another title game.
Princeton has just two losses and both are to teams in the semifinals.
The Tigers fell to the Big Red, 4-2, early in the year and then dropped a 2-0 decision at Allentown.
Since the loss to the Redbirds, the Tigers are 7-0-1, with a three-game winning streak.
They are led by Morgan Swanke with 17 goals, Eleanor Wilkinson has five goals and six assists, Ava Greene has six goals and three assists and Ria Sharma has six goals.
The Big Red will have some confidence from the win over Princeton, but the Tigers will be looking to make amends for that day at Lawrenceville.
Both teams have a solid midfield and defense, so this could come down to execution on penalty corners. ALLENTOWN VS. STUART
Allentown has been the hottest team in the county for just about the entire season as it’s riding a 10-game winning streak since losing to Lawrence.
The defense has been nothing short of spectacular, not allowing a goal in eight games. During that eight game span, Allentown has outscored the opposition, 31-0
Kerri McCarthy broke on the scene this year as an offense force as the junior has caged 21 goals.
There has been plenty of support as Gabi Leach has 11 goals and 10 assists and Morgan Vaccaro has five goals and a team high 13 assists.
Grace Leard has been very sound in the cage with an 0.71 goals against average.
The Tartans have nine wins and eight of them have been by shutout. They are a team that has won four straight games, and although they are not flashy, they are very deliberate and make the most of their opportunities.
Caroline Mullen is the catalyst for the Stuart offense with nine goals and six assists, but she has some solid performers around her in Catherine Martin, Lily Harlan and Molly Lagay.
Allentown has the more potent attack and it will be a test for the Tartans. Stuart will need to keep this one close early.