Courier News Girls Soccer Top 10
1. Scotch Plains-Fanwood (13-0-3) – Last week No. 2: The Raiders take over the top spot in the Courier news Top 10 as Scotch Plains-Fanwood has yet to surrender a goal in the Union County Tournament. The six-time defending county champs advanced to the county final for the 12th year in a row with a 3-0 victory over Cranford on Saturday. Led by Kerri McNeely, who leads the team in scoring with 15 goals and has scored twice in the tournament, the undefeated Raiders’ experienced offense has outscored opponents 26-3 in their last seven games. The second-seeded Raiders will look to add another county title on Friday when they will face off against No. 4 Oak Knoll at 7 p.m. at Kean University.
READ: GIRLS SOCCER ROUNDUP FOR MONDAY, OCT. 24
2. Hunterdon Central (12-1-1) – Last week No. 3: The Red Devils are now riding a nine-game winning streak, including a 2-1 victory over Sparta in the Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex Tournament semifinal last week. During the streak, the Red Devils have outscored opponents 30-5. Led by freshman Corinna Zullo, who leads the team in scoring with nine goals, the five-time defending county champions will face off against fifth-seeded North Hunterdon in the county final on Saturday at 1 p.m. Warren Hills in a Courier News Top 10 showdown.
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3. Westfield (13-0-4) – Last week No. 1: The Blue Devils failed to advance to the Union County Tournament final they fell to Oak Knoll 4-2 in a shootout on Friday. Despite being bounced out earlier than expected, the Blue Devils remain undefeated on the season as the semifinal game officially will be recorded as a double overtime 1-1 draw . Westfield’s experienced front line, including senior Taylor Morgan who leads the team in scoring with 11 goals, allows the team to compete with whichever team is on the pitch.
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4. Watchung Hills (14-3) – Last week No. 4: Senior forwards Melanie Cunha and Alex Ferreira continue to produce for the Warriors, who advanced to the Somerset County Tournament final with a 2-1 overtime victory over Ridge on Saturday. Ferreira scored the game-winning goal for Ridge, advancing her season total to 15. Ferreira scored her 20th goal of the season, with a goal in the first half against the Red Devils. With the win, the Warriors have won six consecutive games where they have outscored opponents 27-8. On Saturday, Watchung will meet Pingry in the SCT final at noon at Torpey Field in a Courier News Top 10 showdown.
5. Pingry (11-2) – Last week No. 5: Despite having its 10-game winning streak snapped last week against Hunterdon Central in a 4-2 loss, the Big Blue got back to its winning ways when it advanced to the Somerset County Tournament final with a 4-2 victory against Mount St. Mary. Pingry has been a force offensively in the tournament as it has scored 10 goals in two games. Led by Natalia Ramirez, who leads with 16 goals, the Big Blue will meet Watchung Hills in the county final on Saturday at Torpey Field.
6. North Hunterdon (12-5) – Last week No. 8: The Lions advanced to the Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex Tournament final with a 4-1 victory over High Point this past weekend. Madeline Wolf, who recorded a hat trick in the semifinal victory, leads the team in scoring with 17 goals. Rebecca Fluchel has also produced on the offense side as she has scored 16 times this season. The Lions will need their top scorers to perform well on Saturday when they take on second-seeded Hunterdon Central in the county final.
7. Mount St. Mary (13-2-1) – Last week No. 6: The Mount Lions had their eight-game winning streak broken last week when they lost 4-2 to Pingry in the Somerset County Tournament semifinal. Despite the tough loss, Mount St. Mary’s offense can score in bunches led by Alaina Parisella, who leads the team in scoring with 11 goals. Sophomore Michaela Walsh continues to impress between the pipes as she has recorded 91 saves this season.
8. Bridgewater-Raritan (10-3-2) – Last week No. 9: After losing to Mount St. Mary in the SCT quarterfinals, the Panthers have won two-straight games, including an impressive 3-1 win over Piscataway. The Panthers have a stellar defense anchored by goalkeeper Marissa Cook, who has saved 77 shots this season. Bridgewater-Raritan will face off against No. 2 Hunterdon Central on Tuesday in a Courier News Top 10 matchup.
9. Ridge (9-4-2) – Last week No. 7: After the heartbreaking overtime loss to Watchung Hills, the defending Somerset County champions will not repeat. The Red Devils can still defend their Group IV title with a great a defense that is anchored by goalkeeper Ally Lindsey, who has 52 saves this season.
10. Somerville (11-2) – Last week No. 10: After being blanked by Ridge in the Somerset County Tournament quarterfinals, the Pioneers’ offense got back to scoring goals. Somerville defeated Voorhees 4-0 the following game and then posted another shutout win against Delaware Valley. The Pioneers will look win their third-straight game when they face off against Mount St. Mary on Thursday.
Game of the Week: No. 4 Watchung Hills will host No. 5 Pingry in the Somerset County Tournament final at noon on Saturday at Torpey Field in Bridgewater.
