R’ville squares off with L’ville, Princeton draws Ewing
It’s a quarterfinal match that has all the luster of a championship game as Lawrenceville heads to Robbinsville.
Robbinsville (12-0-1) is the top-seed and the Big Red (7-4) is the eighth seed with quite a Mercer County Tournament resume. Tuesday’s game is set for 6 p.m. at Robbinsville.
The Ravens have handled all comers this season since an early season tie with Princeton and Lawrenceville after a grueling start to the season have won four straight.
Lawrenceville had one of the greatest runs in MCT history as they won the title four straight years from 2011 to 2014.
Robbinsville knows the history and appears ready not let another run begin.
“Every year is different and I believe we are very focused on what we have as a team this year, not on what Lawrenceville has done in the past,’’ said Ravens coach JennaMarie Colicchia. “We can’t change the past but we can change the future.’’
The Big Red is just as confident facing the top-seed.
“I don’t think we look at things differently because no matter who you are playing you need to win to advance,’’ said Lisa Ewanchyna, the Lawrenceville coach. “I think we are excited to be back in the tournament.’’
Both teams are playing well at the right time of the year.
The Ravens have gotten 17 goals from Shea Walsh, Megan Kratz has 15 goals and 15 assists and Megan Testa has 10 and 10. Laura Redler has been solid in the cage with a 0.27 goals against average.
The Robbinsville defense has allowed just four goals this season.
“I think we are bringing our best game every game,’’ said Colicchia. “Our focus, discipline and adaptability are our strong suits.’’
Claudia Beller and Lexi Grossman lead the Big Red with six goals each. Reilly Fletcher has four and Tess Maloney has 10 assists.
After facing powers such as Episcopal, Oak Knoll, Notre Dame DeNamur and Moorestown, the Big Red seems to be ready for the next challenge. NO. 12 EWING AT NO. 4 PRINCETON, 4 P.M.
The Blue Devils (6-7) stunned Hopewell Valley in the first round and have their sights set on the Tigers (12-2-1).
“The girls were focused, communicated well and played 100% against a very good team,’’ said Leslie Conant, the Ewing coach. “We couldn’t be prouder of the girls.’’
The trip to the quarterfinals is the first in recent memory for the Blue Devils.
Princeton remembers the last time it faced Ewing and it was a close on for the Tigers.
“It’s a good thing the last game is fresh in our minds,’’ said Princeton coach Heather Serverson. “They out played us for a large portion of the game so we need to bring our best if we want to win.’’
The Tigers, who have won five straight, have gotten 16 goals from Avery Peterson, Jordyn Cane adds six goals and 10 assists and Mariana Lopez-Ona is back from an injury and has nine goals and four assists.
“We have to move the ball quickly and accurately,’’ Serverson said. “We need to play good defense to slow them down in the middle.’’
The Robbinsville and Lawrenceville winner will meet the winner of Ewing/Princeton in Thursday’s semifinals at 7:30 p.m. at Mercer County College.