Schalick freshman’s first career goal earns Cougars a 1-1 tie with rival Woodstown; Gratz golden for Pennsville, includes other Salem County girls soccer, tennis results
MONDAY GIRLS SOCCER
Pennsville 5, Glassboro 4
Schalick 1, Woodstown 1
Wildwood 6, Salem 0
Clayton 6, Salem Tech 0
Penns Grove at Overbrook
By Brian Tortella
Special to Riverview Sports News
WOODSTOWN – Throughout the majority of Monday’s highly anticipated Schalick-Woodstown game, it seemed likely the host Wolverines were well on their way to a narrow victory over their Tri-County Diamond Division and cross county rivals for the first time in 1,081 days.
However, the Cougars had other plans.
Freshman Cecilee Bell scored the game-tying goal with just three minutes left in regulation, sending the contest into overtime where neither side could find a winner and it ended in a battle-tested 1-1 draw.
“I’m really excited,” said Bell, whose goal was the first of her varsity career. “I’m glad I was able to make my first goal in a tough game.”
Bell, a Berlin resident, commutes 40 minutes to Schalick by bus every day. She said she was motivated by Cougars’ coach Will Kemp, who she knows from summer soccer, to attend the Salem County school.
The Cougars were battling multiple injuries, which made the rookie stepping up in a high pressure situation even more special.
“No matter what year it is, no matter what teams we both have, it’s always a good rivalry match,” Kemp said. “I thought that it was incredible to see our girls fight back, especially through a lot of different injuries we picked up.
“Our freshman stepped up. Cecilee Bell scored the first goal today for us to get back into the match. First goal of the season for her. She’s been a great addition to our squad and gave us some depth.”
As the final seconds ticked away, Kemp walked directly over and shared a moment with Woodstown coach Kieran Keyser. After all, after the fight his Cougars put up, he couldn’t be upset with their performance.
“Battling back against a team like this is always going to be a physical battle,” Kemp said. “This has always been a joy of mine to come out here (to Woodstown). That’s the reason why I’m such good friends with Kieran, because we like to go back and forth.”
After the tie, Schalick stands at 3-3-1 against a highly competitive schedule against bigger schools. The Cougars are currently No. 9 in the South Jersey Group 1 power point standings. Kemp knows this gauntlet will have his team ready come playoff time.
“I’m feeling confident,” he said regarding the rest of the season. “The girls are usually kicking around this time. We had some tough matchups so far between Cherry Hill West, Washington Township and Timber Creek. Big schools. We have Hammonton this weekend. These are all tests to get ready for the playoffs because know this is going to be an important year and important time for us.”
Emma Morgan scored Woodstown’s goal with 7:01 left in the first half off of a corner from Emmy Perry. The strike came off her left foot for her third goal of the season.
“I’m tired, obviously; 100 minutes is hard,” said Morgan, a senior. “But I think we battled really, really hard all throughout the game. Near the post you don’t always get a lot of balls, but I made that run there and it went off my left foot. It was perfect. I didn’t even know it went in, I was so hype.”
Outside of Schalick’s clutch score in the closing minutes, the Wolverines played exceptional defense throughout the contest, led by standout goalie Ellie Wygand. The senior came up with numerous big saves in the second half, single-handedly keeping Woodstown from falling behind.
At one point in overtime, Kemp even gave his props to Wygand after she made an impressive save as he trekked down the sideline.
“It feels good to have people come up to me and say that. It proves that I work hard in practice,” Wygand said. “I feel pretty good (about the game). I know it’s not the outcome we wanted – we ended in a tie – but we gave it our all and played the hardest we could. I think when we see them again it’s going to be an even better matchup.”
Woodstown hasn’t lost a game since its season-opening setback to Audubon on Sept. 5. The Wolverines are 4-1-1 and currently sit at No. 5 in the South Jersey Group 1 power point standings.
“We have a bunch of good games coming up this week and next week that will be a good challenge for us at the beginning of midway through the season,” Morgan said.
“We are only going to go up from here,” Wygand said. “I think that in the playoffs we’re going to make a good show out and give (teams) a run for their money.”
Brian Tortella is a contributor to Riverview Sports News. His reports on South Jersey high school sports can be found on multiple platforms on the internet. (Photo by Brian Tortella)
PENNSVILLE 5, GLASSBORO 4: Molly Gratz scored three goals, including the game-winner with two minutes left in the first overtime. Taylor Bass scored the Eagles’ other two goals and assisted on the game-winner.
On the game-winner Bass broke free on the right side, then passed across to an unmarked Gratz, who easily finished.
Amina Brown scored the tying goal with 4:43 left in regulation.
“It was an exciting win,” Eagles coach Casey Slusher said.
WILDWOOD 6, SALEM 0: Molly Farrell scored two goals for the Warriors.
GIRLS TENNIS
PENNSVILLE 5, OVERBROOK 0
Izzy Schlenker (P) def. Sophia Burgos, 4-6, 6-4, 10-5
Morgan Holt (P) def. Natasha Hreiz, 6-0, 6-1.
Graillyn Weber (P) def. Isabella Sepulveda, 6-2, 6-0
Emma Hankin-Naomi Hess (P) def. Leah Wilde-Anna Mason, 6-2, 6-0
Lila Angelo-Yerlian Charon (P) def. Charlotte Gall-Sophia Perticari, 6-4, 6-1
Records: Pennsville 6-4, Overbrook 1-8.
SCHALICK 4, TIMBER CREEK 1
Miya Watkins (S) def. Christina Abolarin, 6-0, 6-0
Annmarie Podehl (S) def. Daniella Barbu, 6-3, 6-1
Ayooluwa Akimbo (TC) def. Macy Clow, 7-6, 4-6, 10-5
Olivia Lunemann-Sebrina Bradford (S) def. Allyah Joseph-Kylie Kernaghan, 6-1, 6-1
Sammi Twigg-Jasmine Hunt (S) def. Claire Kopeck-Anastasia Davis, 6-2, 7-5.
Records: Schalick 4-3, Timber Creek 0-8
KINGSWAY 4, WOODSTOWN 1
Nathalie Neron (WO) def. Abby Malesich, 6-1, 6-0
Krishani Parikh (K) def. Alyssa Berry, 6-2, 4-6, 11-9
Kelsey Dion (K) def. Noelle Neron, 6-1, 6-2
Mishi Chaturvedi-Sophia Campbell (K) def. Madison LaPalomento-Emilee Kehr, 6-3, 5-7, 10-6
Alicia Magin-Emily Magin (K) def. Emma West-Angelina Lindemuth, 6-2, 7-6 (7-5)
Records: Kingsway 6-3, Woodstown 7-3.
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