Shake up, wake up

Woodstown soccer shakes up approach, offense comes to life in 3-0 win over Glassboro; also includes Wednesday’s Salem County field hockey, tennis, volleyball, cross country results

BOYS SOCCER
Woodstown 3, Glassboro 0
FIELD HOCKEY
Schalick 9, Pennsville 2
Woodstown 4, Salem 3
GIRLS TENNIS
Clearview 4, Pennsville 1
Mainland 5, Schalick 0
Woodstown 4, Triton 1
Overbrook at Penns Grove
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
Atlantic Tech 2, Salem Tech 0

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

WOODSTOWN – Darren Huck has never been afraid to shake things up. If you’re standing still, he figures, you’re falling behind.

Frustrated with the state of his team’s offense over the past couple weeks, the Woodstown soccer coach shook up the lineup’s look Wednesday and it produced a 3-0 win over Glassboro.

It was only the second time the Wolverines scored more than two goals in a match since their season-high eight-goal outburst against Salem Tech in the third game of the year. They’ve scored just 10 goals in the five games since, including 1-1 tie with Penns Grove and a 1-0 golden goal win over Pennsville, games they figured to have handled a lot easier than they were.

The new alignment basically puts two men up top and five in the midfield. No personnel was changed, just the responsibilities they hold on the field. It produced almost instantaneous results as Bryce Ayars scored on a breakaway three minutes into the match.

“We made a few changes,” Huck said. “Ask any of my players, especially any of my ex-players, I’m never afraid to shake it up, to change things. Obviously, my ultimate goal is what’s best for the team.

“We have three, possibly four, formations we can play depending on situations that occur. We really felt today’s was something we could use to our advantage. It’s just a different look, different responsibilities and some boundaries and borders we needed to stay within so we stay balanced.”

Ayars scored the first two goals against the Bulldogs and assisted on the third by Nick DiTeodoro, a goal created directly by the angle of attack the new formation created.

“It’s definitely a change of scenery,” Ayars said. “It definitely helped our middle out, which we needed to do. Teams are trying to force us middle, so having that extra guy in the middle helps us out in the long run. It did what we expected it to do today.”

The look they went with Wednesday was specifically for the Bulldogs. Whether they stay with it going forward or change remains to be seen.

“My formation comes down to where our strength and weakness is,” Huck said.

Despite the limited goal production, the Wolverines’ 7-0-1 record, which currently leads the South Jersey Group I power points standings by more than two points, is their best start after eight games in more than 15 years. The 2013 team that went 20-1-1 and 2023 team that went 15-4-1 both started 7-1.

They are only unbeaten team in all of Group 1 and one of only five across South Jersey’s six classifications.

“It’s a good feeling,” Huck said.

FIELD HOCKEY
PITTSGROVE – Ava Scurry scored the ninth hat trick of her career, and second against Pennsville, to lead Schalick past the Eagles 9-2.

Scurry scored her first goal less than two minutes into the game, notched her second two minutes later and got her third in the third quarter. She now has 76 career goals. Caylen Taylor had two goals and two assists.

Luci and Lena Virga both scored goals. It’s the sixth time in the last two seasons the sisters have scored in the same game; the Cougars are 6-0 in those games. Bailey Wents and Alexis Smith also found the back of the cage.

Kendall Hoyt and Abigail Bohn scored Pennsville’s goals, with Izzy Saulin assisting on both. For Bohn, a senior, it was her first career goal.

WOODSTOWN 4, SALEM 3: Julliana Love scored all three goals for Salem.

VOLLEYBALL
ATLANTIC TECH 2, SALEM TECH 0: The set scores were 25-10, 25-19.

GIRLS TENNIS
WOODSTOWN 4, TRITON 1
Mary Ahrens (T) def. Nathalie Neron, 6-0, 6-3
Alyssa Berry (WO) def. PetraReina Ponce-Leon, 6-3, 6-0
Noelle Neron (WO) def. Elizabeth Davis, 6-2, 6-1
Madison LaPalomento-Emilee Kehr (WO) def. Lily Brennan-Olivia Schreyer, 7-6 (7-5), 7-5
Emma West-Angelina Lindenmuth (WO) won by forfeit
Records: Woodstown 9-3, Triton 6-7.

CLEARVIEW 4, PENNSVILLE 1
Serena Huang (CL) def. Lily Edwards, 7-5, 0-6, 10-7
Amelia McLoughlin (CL) def. Izzy Schrenker, 6-3, 6-1
Morgan Holt (P) def. Lia Lyle, 6-2, 6-4
Lily Culling-Helena Homann (CL) def. Naomi Hess-Emma Hankin, 6-3, 6-4
Taylor Cossaboon-Katherine Cianfrani (CL) def. Graillyn Weber-Lily Angelo, 6-3, 6-0
Records: Clearview 8-3, Pennsville 9-5.

CROSS COUNTRY
WESTHAMPTON – The Salem Tech boys placed all five runners in the second 10 counters and edged Medford Tech for second place in the South Jersey Vo-Tech Championships.

Levi Seals led the Chargers across the line with a 10th-place 19:04.27. He was followed by Pierre Pozo (19:12.53), Anthony Morano (19:19.54), Chase Pompper (19:41.73) and Joseph MacNeil (20:06.69) for 73 team points.

Medford Tech had two in the top four, but only one other counter inside the Chargers’ top five for 75 points.

The Salem Tech girls placed third among four teams with two counters in the top 10 counters and three in the top 20. Paityn Harrington (25:03.56) and Abigail Vanaman (25:05.01) led the way.

GCIT won both team titles.

SOUTH JERSEY VO-TECH CHAMPIONSHIPS
BOYS TEAM: GCIT 22, Salem Tech 73, Medford Tech 75, Atlantic Tech 100, West Tech 127, Cape May Tech 135, Pennsauken Tech 211.
BOYS TOP 10 OVERALL: Wyatt Evans, GCIT 17:15.06; Duke Snyder-Shellito, GCIT 17:40.47; Marcos Paulino, Medford 17:54.17; Chris Davis, Medford 18:22.08; Ryan Ejjalili, GCIT 18:45.01; Logan Monaghan, GCIT 18:49.75; Evan Feliciano, Cape May 18:50.88; AJ Trampe, GCIT 19:00.09; Carlo Blackman, ACIT 19:03.53; Levi Seals, Salem Tech 19:04.27.

GIRLS TEAM: GCIT 17, Atlantic Tech 60, Salem Tech 82, Medford Tech 86.
GIRLS TOP 10 OVERALL: Jordan Moczydlowski, GCIT 21:05.29; Kirstyn McHale, Cape May 22:58.49; Natalie Pandolfo, GCIT 23:02.00; Isabel Guerra, GCIT 23:07.51; Francesca Carnevale, GCIT 23:32.57; Rosa Cameron, Cape May 23:35.43; Addison Kris, Medford 23:51.81; Eunice States Clara, GCIT 24:58.50; Paityn Harrington, Salem Tech 25:03.56.

Monday roundup

Here are scores and details from Monday’s Salem County high school action; will be updated

FIELD HOCKEY
Oakcrest 3, Pennsville 2: Gracie Mease scored both Pennsville goals.
Clearview 9, Schalick 1: Celeste Conklin, Maddie Reeves and Addison McConnell all scored a pair of goals. Schalick goalie Lydia Gilligan made 27 saves and is now six shy of 500 for her career. The milestone could come Wednesday against Pennsville. Luci Virga scored the Cougars’ goal.
Woodstown 1, Timber Creek 1: The Wolverines (4-3-1) got the tying goal in the third quarter.

BOYS SOCCER
Schalick 7, Moorestown Friends 1: Tyler Vanlier, the freshman who moved to striker following an injury to Luke Price, scored three goals, and Josh Stecher scored the first two goals of his career.
Pennsville 1, Buena 0: John Sassi scored the Eagles’ goal in the 27th minute and the usually stout Pennsville defense made it stand. All six Pennsville wins have been by shutout.
Cape May Tech at Salem: Both teams are looking for their first wins of the season.

GIRLS SOCCER
Pennsville 6, Buena 0: Molly Gratz and Sloan Marquette each scored two goals and Taylor Bass had a goal and two assists. Kallie Morrison had the Eagles’ other goal.
Medford Tech 5, Salem Tech 2: NJTAC Group 1/2 Tournament quarterfinal game.
Cape May Tech 7, Salem 3: The Hawks pulled away from a one-goal game with four goals in the second half for their first win of the season.
Mainland 2, Schalick 0: The Mustangs scored a goal in each half.
GCIT 3, Woodstown 0: The Cheetahs scored three goals in the second half, ending Woodstown’s six-game unbeaten streak.

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
Salem Tech 2, Cape May Tech 0 (25-19, 25-22): Alan’s James had four kills and an ace, and Casey Zaluske recorded seven digs. The Chargers (4-2) have won three of their last four matches.

GIRLS TENNIS
WEST DEPTFORD 5, SALEM 0
Gianna Concordia (WD) def. JaNye Hubbard, 6-1, 6-2
Alyssa Taylor (WD) def. Tahirah Davenport-White, 6-0, 6-1
Judy Wu (WD) def. Heaven Jones-McCullough, 6-0, 6-1
Anastasia Besar-Harper Short (WD) def. Erica Brewer-Evangelyn Jimenez Barreto, 6-0, 6-0
Summer Fallon-Laura Monticolo (WD) def. Phoenix Holland-Aleena Allen, 6-0, 6-0
Records: West Deptford 5-11, Salem 2-6.

This week’s schedule

Here is the Salem County sports schedule for the week of Sept. 28-Oct. 4

SUNDAY, SEPT. 28
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Salem CC at RCSJ-Gloucester, 10 a.m.

MONDAY, SEPT. 29
FIELD HOCKEY
Pennsville at Oakcrest, 4 p.m.
Schalick at Clearview, 4 p.m.
Woodstown at Timber Creek, 4 p.m.
BOYS SOCCER
Cape May Tech at Salem, 4 p.m.
Moorestown Friends at Schalick, 4 p.m.
Pennsville at Buena, 4 p.m.
GIRLS SOCCER
Salem Tech at Medford Tech, 3:45 p.m.
Buena at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
Salem at Cape May Tech, 4 p.m.
Schalick at Mainland, 4 p.m.
Woodstown vs. GCIT at Rowan, 6 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
Salem at West Deptford, 4 p.m.
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
Cape May Tech at Salem Tech, 4 p.m.

TUESDAY, SEPT. 30
BOYS SOCCER
Pennsville at Woodstown, 4 p.m.
Pitman at Salem Tech, 4 p.m.
Salem at Glassboro, 4 p.m.
Wildwood at Schalick, 4 p.m.
Gloucester Catholic at Penns Grove, 6:30 p.m.
GIRLS SOCCER
Glassboro at Salem, 4 p.m.
Gloucester Catholic at Penns Grove, 4 p.m.
Salem Tech at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
Schalick at Wildwood, 4 p.m.
Woodstown at Pitman, 4 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
South Jersey Group 1 Playoffs
No. 11 Buena at No. 6 Schalick, 3 p.m.
No. 14 Palmyra at No. 3 Woodstown, 3 p.m.
No. 13 Salem at No. 4 Pennsville, 3:30 p.m.
CROSS COUNTRY
Batch Meet at Kingsway, 4 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 1
FIELD HOCKEY
Salem at Woodstown, 4 p.m.
Pennsville at Schalick, 4 p.m.
BOYS SOCCER
Glassboro at Woodstown, 4 p.m.
GIRLS SOCCER
Woodbury at Penns Grove, 4 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
Pennsville at Clearview, 3:45 p.m.
Triton at Woodstown, 3:45 p.m.
Schalick at Mainland, 4 p.m.
Overbrook at Penns Grove, 6:30 p.m.
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
Salem Tech at Atlantic Tech, 4 p.m.

THURSDAY, OCT. 2
WJFL FOOTBALL
Woodstown at Pleasantville, 7 p.m.
FIELD HOCKEY
Pennsville at Paulsboro, 4 p.m.
BOYS SOCCER
Clayton at Salem, 4 p.m.
Pennsville at Salem Tech, 4 p.m.
Pitman at Penns Grove, 4 p.m.
Schalick at Overbrook, 4 p.m.
GIRLS SOCCER
Salem at Clayton, 4 p.m.
Salem Tech at Pitman, 4 p.m.
Woodstown at Glassboro, 4 p.m.
Overbrook at Schalick, 6 p.m.
Pennsville at Penns Grove, 6:30 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
Schalick at Wildwood, 4:15 p.m.
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
Highland vs. Salem Tech, 4 p.m.

FRIDAY, OCT. 3
WJFL FOOTBALL
Paulsboro at Schalick, 6 p.m.
Pennsville at Penns Grove, 6:30 p.m.
Collingswood at Sterling, 7 p.m.
Haddonfield at West Deptford, 7 p.m.
Glassboro at Deptford
Overbrook at Clayton
FIELD HOCKEY
Salem Tech at Winslow, 3:45 p.m.
OLMA at Salem, 4 p.m.
Schalick at Williamstown, 4 p.m.
Woodstown at Gateway, 4 p.m.
BOYS SOCCER
Salem Tech at Buena, 4 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
Woodstown at Pennsville, 3:45 p.m.

SATURDAY, OCT. 4
WJFL FOOTBALL
Salem at Middle Twp., noon
Audubon at Gloucester Catholic, 11 a.m.
Gateway at Woodbury
BOYS SOCCER
Woodstown at Northern Burlington, 10 a.m.
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Salem CC at Felician (2), noon

Scurry hits mark

Schalick senior reaches 200-point plateau for her field hockey career; includes rest of Salem County Friday action, pairings for SJFHCA Tournament of Champions

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

VOORHEES – When Ava Scurry started playing field hockey in high school all she wanted was to be a good player and win. Now that she’s one of the most prolific scorers in school history, she wanted to share the occasion with all the teammates who helped get her there.

The Schalick senior reached another career milestone Friday, surpassing 200 points with two goals and an assist in the Cougars’ 6-3 loss at Eastern.

Scurry needed only one point going into the match to hit the mark and took it over the top when she tipped in a Lena Virga free hit for her first goal 3:12 into the second half. She notched her second goal about two minutes later and then assisted on Lucy Virga’s goal with 7:28 left in the third quarter after making a run from midfield to the baseline.

She now had 204 career points on 73 goals and 58 assists. She scored 40 goals last year, so 100 career markers is well within reach.

“I think it represents consistency and just how far, not just me, but how far I’ve come with my team because I couldn’t have reached that milestone without them,” Scurry said. “I think it just shows how far we’ve come since we were freshmen.

“The points really just shows how far the team’s come, because to me there’s no goal without an assist. Everything I’m doing is with my team. And the assists … someone is finishing with me, so even though I get 200 points it’s like the whole team hit 200 points. We’re all doing it together. It’s not just me.”

The Montclair State commitment had been a big assist maker early in the Cougars’ offense early in her career, or at least getting as many assists as she did goals, but she turned into a goal scorer when coach Heather Cheesman moved her to the strong right side last year. Scurry has scored 53 goals since the switch.

“She has been wonderful,” Cheesman said. “She has grown so much since her freshman year. She’s a player who can take the ball down the field or pass it. She’s definitely a team player. I have nothing but good things to say about her.”

All three Schalick goals came in a spirited third quarter in which both teams scored three times. Virga’s goal with 7:28 left in the quarter got the Cougars within one, 4-3, but they just couldn’t get the equalizer. The Vikings got some breathing room with 20 seconds left in the quarter, then extended their lead with four minutes to play.

TOC pairings set

Schalick has drawn Audubon in its opening game of the inaugural South Jersey Field Hockey Tournament of Champions.

The Cougars and Green Wave will play in the final game of the first day, 1:15 p.m. Oct. 4 at Camden Catholic. They will play either Delran or Clearview in their second game, Oct. 5 at Clearview.

Here is the first day schedule at Camden Catholic: Gloucester vs. West Deptford, 8 a.m.; Camden Catholic vs. Delsea, 9:45 a.m.; Delran vs. Clearview, 11:30 a.m. and Schalick-Audubon at 1:15 p.m.

Here is the schedule at Clearview: Gloucester-West Deptford loser vs. Camden Catholic-Delsea loser at 10 a.m.; Delran-Clearview loser vs. Schalick-Audubon loser, 11:45 a.m.: Gloucester-West Deptford winner vs. Camden Catholic-Delsea winner at 1:30 p.m.; Delran-Clearview winner vs. Schalick-Audubon winner, 3:15 p.m.

Schalick	0	0	3	0-	3
Eastern	0	2	3	1-	6

GOALS: E-Chloe Yoder (Tessa Connor), 13:12 2Q; E-Brianna Kalick (Chloe Yoder), 9:20 2Q; E-Juliet Friebel (Lauren Stanz), 13:01 3Q; S-Ava Scurry (Lena Virga), 11:48 3Q; E-Tessa Connor, 10:30 3Q; S-Ava Scurry (Caylen Taylor), 9:38 3Q; S-Lucy Virga (Ava Scurry), 7:28 3Q; E-Chloe Yoder, 0:20 3Q; E-Chloe Yoder (Tessa Connor), 4:03 4Q.

BOYS SOCCER
Audubon 3, Pennsville 2: The Green Wave scored a golden goal in overtime to win. Justin Michaca and Sam Hassler scored second-half goals for the Eagles.
Camden Academy Charter at Salem
Salem Tech at Cape May Tech

GIRLS SOCCER
Salem Tech 6, Cape May Tech 2: Ava Robinson scored three goals, Julia Hewitt Friebel two and Isabella Poli one for the Chargers.
GCIT at Woodstown: Moved to Monday
Hammonton 5, Schalick 3: Brooklynn DelGozzo and Alena DiGerolamo each scored two goals for the winners. Olivia Vanacker scored two goals and assisted on Quinn Berger’s goal for the Cougars.
Cumberland 7, Salem 0

GIRLS TENNIS
PENNSVILLE 3, TRITON 2
Records: Pennsville 8-4, Triton 4-6

PITMAN 5, SALEM 0
Colette Rollins (P) def. Tahirah Davenport-White, 6-1, 6-0
Ava Mollenhauer (P) def. Erica Brewer, 6-0, 6-0
Mykala Totoro Totoro (P) def. Evangeline Jimenez Barreto, 6-1, 6-0
Delaney Stevenson-Emma Hagen (P) def. Phoenix Holland-Yulliannis Rosado, 6-1, 6-0
Anna Jones-Mia Gladney (P) won by forfeit
Records: Pitman 12-3, Salem 2-5.

Thursday roundup

Here are scores and notes from Thursday’s Salem County high school sports calendar; will be updated

BOYS SOCCER
Woodstown 3, Pitman 1: Bryce Ayars, Ayden Ellis and Landon Gugliemo all scored for Woodstown as the Wolverines remained unbeaten through six games (5-0-1).
GIRLS SOCCER
Woodstown 4, Pennsville 0: Freshman Hailey Kucharczyk scored a hat trick for the Wolverines. Ellie Wygand and Mazie Mazzoni combined for the Wolverines’ third shutout in the last four games.
FIELD HOCKEY
Woodstown 4, Glassboro 2: Bella Eachus scored two goals for the Wolverines (4-2).
Gateway 9, Salem 0
Clayton at Pennsville, ppd. to Oct. 15
GIRLS TENNIS
Salem at Wildwood, ppd.
Woodstown at Pennsville, ppd. to Oct. 3
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
Timber Creek 2, Salem Tech 0 (25-20, 25-17): Maddie Oliver and Madelyn Stiffen had four kills apiece for Salem Tech. Casey Zaluske had 11 digs and Tiara Bazemore recorded 19 assists and four aces.

Salem County Tuesday

Here are the scores and details from Tuesday’s Salem County high school sports schedule

TUESDAY’S GAMES
FIELD HOCKEY
Audubon 6, Pennsville 2: Noelle Barbera scored three goals and Lily Fajardo had two for the Green Wave (4-1-1). Kylie Harris scored both Pennsville goals.
Schalick 9, Deptford 1: Ava Scurry moved closer to 200 career points with two goals and three assists for the second straight game. She now has 197 points for her career. Addi Shimp had two goals.
Woodstown 4, Overbrook 0: Talia Guardascione scored twice and Shyann Higinbotham recorded a career-tying three assists for the Wolverines (3-2). Every game Woodstown has played this season has been a shutout.

GIRLS TENNIS
Pennsville 5, Penns Grove 0
Schalick 5, Overbrook 0
Gloucester Catholic at Salem

PENNSVILLE 5, PENNS GROVE 0
Isabell Schrenker (P) def. Andrea Restrepo, 6-0, 6-0
Morgan Holt (P) def. Ada Lopez, 6-0, 6-0
Graillyn Weber (P) def. Kavita Pulchard, 6-0, 6-0
Emma Hankin-Naomi Hess (P) def. Valaria Pedroza-Andrea Chapone, 6-0, 6-1
Yerlian Charon-Lila Angelo (P) def. Emma Tiffins-Nathalie Dominquez, 6-0, 6-2
Records: Pennsville 7-4, Penns Grove 0-6.

SCHALICK 5, OVERBROOK 0
Miya Watkins (S) def. Sophia Burgos, 6-0, 6-0
Annmarie Podehl (S) def. Natasha Hreiz, 6-3, 6-0
Macy Clow (S) def. Isabella Sepulveda, 6-2, 6-1
Olivia Lunemann-Sebrina Bradford (S) def. Leah Wilde-Anna Mason, 6-1, 6-2
Sammi Twigg-Jasmine Hunt (S) def. Charlotte Gall-Sophia Perticari, 6-1, 6-1
Records: Schalick 5-3, Overbrook 1-9.

This week’s schedule

Here is the Salem County sports schedule for the week of Sept. 21-27

SUNDAY, SEPT. 21
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Salem CC at Camden CC, noon

MONDAY, SEPT. 22
BOYS SOCCER
Gloucester Catholic at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
Overbrook at Penns Grove, 4 p.m.
Salem at Wildwood, 4 p.m.
Woodstown at Schalick, 4 p.m.
Salem Tech at Clayton, 5 p.m.
GIRLS SOCCER
Glassboro at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
Penns Grove at Overbrook, 4 p.m.
Schalick vs. Woodstown, 4 p.m.
Wildwood at Salem, 4 p.m.
Salem Tech at Clayton, 7 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
Kingsway at Woodstown, 3:45 p.m.
Pennsville at Overbrook, 4 p.m.
Timber Creek at Schalick, 4 p.m.

TUESDAY, SEPT. 23
FIELD HOCKEY
Winslow at Salem Tech, 3:45 p.m.
Pennsville at Audubon, 4 p.m.
Salem at Gloucester Catholic, 4 p.m.
Schalick at Deptford, 4 p.m.
Woodstown at Overbrook, 4 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
Pennsville at Penns Grove, 3:45 p.m.
Gloucester Catholic at Salem, 4 p.m.
Schalick at Overbrook, 4 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 24
FIELD HOCKEY
Schalick at Seneca, 4 p.m.
BOYS SOCCER
Pennsville at Salem, 4 p.m.
Salem Tech at Gloucester Catholic, 4 p.m.
Schalick at Penns Grove, 4 p.m.
GIRLS SOCCER
Gloucester Catholic at Salem Tech, 4 p.m.
Penns Grove at Schalick, 4 p.m.
Salem at Pitman, 4 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
Moorestown Friends at Woodstown, 3:45 p.m.
Gloucester Catholic at Salem Tech, 4 p.m.
Penns Grove at Palmyra, 4 p.m.
Pitman at Salem, 4 p.m.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 25
WJFL FOOTBALL
Salem at Schalick, 6 p.m.
Paulsboro at Overbrook, 6 p.m.
Audubon at West Deptford, 7 p.m.
FIELD HOCKEY
Clayton at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
Glassboro at Woodstown, 4 p.m.
Salem at Gateway, 4 p.m.
BOYS SOCCER
Woodstown at Pitman, 4 p.m.
GIRLS SOCCER
Pennsville at Woodstown, 4 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
Woodstown at Pennsville, 3:45 p.m.
Salem at Wildwood, 4 p.m.
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
Timber Creek at Salem Tech, 4 p.m.
CROSS COUNTRY
Salem Tech in NJTAC Championships at Medford Tech, 4 p.m.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 26
WJFL FOOTBALL
Haddon Twp. at Collingswood, 6 p.m.
Camden Catholic at Pennsville, 7 p.m.
Penns Grove at Woodstown, 7 p.m.
FIELD HOCKEY
Schalick at Eastern, 4 p.m.
BOYS SOCCER
Audubon at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
Camden Academy Charter at Salem, 4 p.m.
Salem Tech at Cape May Tech, 4 p.m.
GIRLS SOCCER
Cape May Tech at Salem Tech, 4 p.m.
GCIT at Woodstown, 4 p.m.
Salem at Cumberland, 4 p.m.
Schalick at Hammonton, 4 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
Haddon Heights at Schalick, 4 p.m.
Pennsville at Triton, 4 p.m.
COLLEGE CROSS COUNTRY
Salem CC at Caldwell

SATURDAY, SEPT. 27
WJFL FOOTBALL
Glassboro at Woodbury
FIELD HOCKEY
Woodstown vs. Delsea at Rowan, 3 p.m.
CROSS COUNTRY
Schalick at Six Flags Great Adventure
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Salem CC at Jefferson (2), noon
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Salem CC at Thomas Jefferson, noon

Birthday cheer

Woodstown field hockey gifts coach a shutout win over county rival and a comfy throw on her birthday, includes roundup of Friday’s Salem County sports action

FIELD HOCKEY
Schalick 10, Overbrook 0
Salem 2, Clayton 1
Woodstown 6, Pennsville 0

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

PENNSVILLE — Woodstown freshman Margaux Lipovsky gets excited any time she can put the ball in the back of the goal, but there was a special sense of relief when her shot broke the plane in the first five minutes of Friday’s match against Pennsville.

The goal ended a two-game dry spell for the Wolverines and sent them on the way to a 6-0 victory over their county rivals.

“It made me really excited,” Lipovsky said. “Once it rolled to my stick I kind of knew that instant it was going to go in. You just get that feeling that it’s going to go in and when you follow through and see it on the backboard it’s a good feeling.”

The Wolverines (2-2) had gone more than 125 minutes without a goal since Lipovsky scored in the fourth quarter of their season-opening 7-0 rout of Deptford. It was the program’s longest drought since going four straight games without scoring Oct. 9-18 of last year.

But they lit the lamp six times against the Eagles, with goals from six different players. Zoe Lipovsky made it 2-0 early in the second quarter, followed by goals from Corinne Cocking, Bella Eachus, Talia Guardascione (on an assist from Margaux) and Brooke Dillon.

“There was definitely some relief in there that we still have our offensive lineup,” junior captain Shyann Higinbotham said. “It was just about finishing. Finally getting to finish today proved our point that we still have it in us.”

The power surge was a nice 75th birthday present for new coach Gloria Byard. After the game the players serenaded their coach with a rousing rendition of “Happy Birthday” and gifted their former Olympian a comfy throw embossed with familiar words of wisdom.

“I wasn’t really surprised,” Byard said. “I know these guys are really a group of awesome, appreciative young ladies. They work hard. They don’t ask for anything. It’s a good group of young ladies, so I’m not surprised at all (what they did).”

Interestingly, for all the playing and living she has done, Friday, she said, was the first time she ever played or coached a game on her birthday.

“It’s ironic her first year being here it was on her birthday, and I think her coming back here to end it at Woodstown when she started at Woodstown is really special,” Higinbotham said. “It’s cool to be coached by her for my final two years here.”

The players gave the throw a more personal touch by stitching it with all of their favorite sayings from the coach. Lipovsky’s favorite is “You guys look like human cones” (a reference to standing around with the ball in play). For Higinbotham, her favorite is a little more direct – “Hard work works.”

That part of it did surprise the coach.

“That was amazing; it was like, wow,” she said. “It’s like they do listen to me, huh? They pay attention.”

The win Friday may not have been taken for granted, but it was always in the (birthday) cards.

“I knew we had a big shot at winning, but you never know, one any given day anything can happen,” Byard said. “But that’s the one thing: They were practicing yesterday and said coach, for your birthday gift we’re going to win.’ I said, ‘you promise?’ They said ‘definitely.’”

Top photo: Woodstown field hockey coach Gloria Byard shows off the comfy throw her players gifted for her birthday after the Wolverines’ 6-0 win over Pennsville. The throw is embossed with the players’ favorite sayings from their coach.

**Salem’s Julliana Love winds up for a shot against Clayton. Love scored both of the Rams’ goals in the win. (Photo by Miranda Love)**

SALEM 2, CLAYTON 1: Julliana Love scored two goals, including the game-winner with five minutes left, and Ava Rodgers stopped a penalty stroke as the Rams (1-3) won for the first time under new coach Brittany Bryant.

After the teams played through a scoreless first half. Love broke the ice in the first minute of the third quarter. The Clippers tied it and Rodgers kept it that way when she stopped a penalty stroke. Love put the Rams back on top with her fifth goal of the year and then they held on.

“Winning our first game was amazing,” Love said. “It was a nice look of what winning felt like for the new girls on the team.

“Being able to lead my team into winning the game felt great to know that I lead the team, but I couldn’t do it without my fellow teammates having my back. Knowing I got to put two goals in the cage for my team and coaches made me so happy to know I didn’t let them down.”

SCHALICK 10, OVERBROOK 0: Ava Scurry had two goals and three assists, Luci Virga surpassed 100 career points with two goals and an assist. Virga now has 39 points and 24 assists in her career. The 10 goals are the most in a game for the Cougars since swamping Cumberland 11-0 51 weeks ago.

Woodstown freshman Margaux Lipovsky (1) fires a shot towards the goal in the first quarter of Friday’s game with Pennsville. Lipovsky scored the game’s first goal and assisted on another in the second half.

GIRLS SOCCER
CHERRY HILL WEST 1, SCHALICK 0: West scored a goal in the first half then held off the Cougars through several close calls. Schalick’s Kyleigh Cutler was pulled down looking at an empty net without a whistle and several free kicks went across empty nets.

GIRLS TENNIS
PENNSVILLE 4, GLASSBORO 1
Izzy Schlenker (P) def. Alana Killelea, 6-1, 7-6 (7-4)
Morgan Holt (P) def. Taylor Adcock, 6-0, 6-1
Graillyn Weber (P) def. Alice Dinzeo, 6-2, 6-0
Emma Hankin-Naomi Hess (P) def. Virginia Tarasevich-Amani George, 6-2, 6-1
Sofia Dungca-Ijeoma Ufomba (G) def. Yerlian Charon-Lila Angelo, 6-4, 6-3
Records: Pennsville 5-4, Glassboro 4-4

WOODSTOWN 5, SALEM 0
Nathalie Neron (WO) def. Angelina Fothergill, 6-0, 6-0
Alyssa Berry (WO) def. JaNye Hubbard, 6-0, 6-0
Noelle Neron (WO) def. Tahirah Davenport-White, 6-3, 6-3
Madison LaPalomento-Emilee Kehr (WO) def. Heaven Jones-McCullough-Zaniyah Frieson, 6-0, 6-1
Elianna Norman-Angelina Lindenmuth (WO) def. Erica Brewer-Evangelyn Jimenez Barreto, 6-0, 6-0
Records: Woodstown 7-2, Salem 1-4.

VOLLEYBALL
SALEM TECH 2, BUENA 0: The Chargers (3-1) took two close sets, 25-19, 25-22, to win their second straight match.

CROSS COUNTRY

GALLOWAY — Karson Chew finished 17th overall and two other runners placed in the top 30 to lead the Woodstown boys cross country team to a sixth place finish in the Osprey XC High School Invite at Stockton University.

Chew covered the course in 16:49.69. Teammate Jacob Marino was 24th (17:05.35) and David Farrell was 28th (17:12.79).

Gavin Oliver of Donovan Catholic won the boys race in 15:44.46. Egg Harbor Twp. won the boys team title with 98 points.

Woodstown’s girls placed 20th in their race. Abby Marino was 16th overall (19:56.81). Natalie Briggs of team champion Freehold Twp. won the race in 18:27.20.

Thursday roundup

Big soccer day: Woodstown, Penns Grove boys play to draw; Pennsville boys bounce back to beat Clayton in 2 OTs; Schalick’s Fisler sets Schalick assist record; also field hockey, tennis; stories will be updated

BOYS SOCCER
Pennsville 1, Clayton 0: Lucas Cooksey taps home a rebound in the first minute of the second overtime for the game’s only goal.
Penns Grove 1, Woodstown 1: Penns Grove’s Dwayne Guzman makes 20 saves to preserve the draw.
Schalick 6, Glassboro 0: Senior John Egan V, a fan and teammate favorite, scores his first career goal.
Wildwood 6, Salem Tech 0: Michael Blanda scored twice in the Warriors’ four-goal first half.
Salem at Gloucester Catholic

GIRLS SOCCER
Schalick 8, Glassboro 0: Senior Cali Fisler sets school all-time assist record (44), setting up two of Abby Willoughby’s three goals.
Woodstown 6, Penns Grove 0: The Wolverines broke open a close game with five goals in the second half. Bailey Arnold Peters scored twice.
Gloucester Catholic 7, Salem 0: Seven different players score to keep Gloucester Catholic undefeated, Salem winless.
Salem Tech at Wildwood

FIELD HOCKEY
Glassboro at Pennsville

GIRLS TENNIS
PITMAN 4, SCHALICK 1
Anna Fisicaro (P) def. Miya Watkins, 6-0, 6-0
Colette Rollins (P) def. Annmarie Podehl, 6-2, 6-1
Ava Mollenhauer (P) def. Macy Clow, 6-1, 6-0
Kendall Bennett-Amanda Bradley (P) def. Olivia Lunemann-Sebrina Bradford, 6-4, 6-3
Sammi Twigg-Jasmine Hunt (S) def. Ella Ralph-Abigail Heil, 6-3, 6-4
Records: Pitman 9-3, Schalick 3-3.

WOODSTOWN 5, PENNS GROVE 0
Nathalie Neron (WO) def. Andrea Restrepo, 6-0, 6-0
Alyssa Berry (WO) def. Ada Lopez, 6-0, 6-0
Noelle Neron (WO) def. Valaria Pedroza, 6-0, 6-0
Madison LaPalomento-Emilee Kehr (WO) def. Yanet Cruz-Elif Sagir, 6-0, 6-0
Elianna Norman-Emma West (WO) def. Emma Giffins-Gianco Tirado, 4-0, ret.
Records: Woodstown 6-2, Penns Grove 0-5.

Local flavor

Schalick, Woodstown among 8 teams in inaugural South Jersey field hockey tournament of champions

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

Two of Salem County’s finest field hockey programs will be in the field when the South Jersey Field Hockey Coaches Association’s inaugural in-season tournament gets underway next month.

Schalick and Woodstown are among the eight teams committed to play in the NJSIAA-sanctioned South Jersey Tournament of Champions. The tournament, first reported by Riverview Sports News earlier this month, will be played Oct. 4 at Camden Catholic and Oct. 5 at Clearview.

The other four teams are Bishop Eustace, West Deptford, Delran and Gloucester. The bracket, pairings and schedule are still to be determined.

“It’s a go,” said Clearview coach Britney Ewan, president of the SJFHCA. “We’ve been working on it for the past couple years because North Jersey has a tournament, Cape (Atlantic) has a tournament, and there’s been a lot of strong teams in our area that play in the MAX Tournament, and what was happening is because we’re choosing to play in that tournament, which are amazing strong teams and are good for the teams to play, it was hurting us power point wise when it came to rankings for our playoffs and our state tournaments. Not to mention it was great preparation (for the post season).

“So, (Camden Catholic coach and SJFHCA board member) Mark Vittese and I decided to put our heads together and get this thing going.”

Originally there were 16 teams considered for the tournament, largely based on last season’s rankings, but the others opted out for various reasons.

“We were excited to be invited, we’re excited to take part in the tournament,” Schalick coach Heather Cheesman said. “It’s the first one for field hockey down here so we’re super excited. The girls are super excited.

“I know on the original list we were the last to be invited, so we’re honored to be included and excited to see what it is when we get there and the competition we’re going to have.”

The Cougars have already played two of the teams in the field. They beat Woodstown 3-0 last Thursday and lost to Camden Catholic 9-1 Tuesday.

“(Vittese) was like, ‘I’ll see you in two weeks,’” Cheesman said.

Brian Tortella contributed to this report.