Category: PENNSVILLE

Sharp and quick

Woodstown, Pennsville, Schalick all survive girls tennis tournament openers; roundup also includes Tuesday’s cross country, girls soccer results

GIRLS TENNIS
South Jersey Group 1 Playoffs
Schalick 5, Buena 0
Woodstown 5, Palmyra 0
Pennsville 5, Salem 0

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

WOODSTOWN — Third-seeded Woodstown avoided a couple potential mental traps and easily got through its opening-round match in the South Jersey Group I girls tennis tournament Tuesday.

The Wolverines needed less than an hour to dispatch 14th-seeded Palmyra 5-0. County and TCC Diamond Division rivals Schalick and Pennsville also advanced with 5-0 sweeps.
 
The opening round had the potential to trip up the Wolverines in a number of ways if they weren’t focused. They hadn’t played in a week — two matches were rained out — and were facing an opponent that hadn’t won a match all season.

But they showed they meant business when they went 6-0 in the first set of four of their five matches and No. 2 singles Alyssa Berry put their first point on the board in about 35 minutes. Nathalie and Noelle Neron also won their singles matches, while the doubles teams of Madison LaPalomento-Emilee Kehr and Emma West-Angelina Lindenmuth swept the doubles.

“There’s been some slight apprehension, like we were out here saying we feel like we haven’t played in forever, it’s been so long since we had a match,” Berry said. “But warming up and hitting, it kind of comes back to you.

“You always start out a little more careful, but as you get the swing of things then you feel more confident.”

All five of the Wolverines’ wins came in straight sets. They dropped only four games all day. Palmyra had won only one (doubles) match in their six previous starts this season.

“When you play a team like that, you never know what you’re going to get,” Woodstown coach Jesse Stemberger said. “You see 0-6, but I’ve seen a team win a state championship that was 2-7 going into the playoffs … There are so some teams out there that you don’t know much about that aren’t what their records indicate, so you try not to look past anybody.

“For an 0-6 team, (Palmyra) battled. They worked hard. They pushed us in some positions. They made us earn it. This was not a walkover. They made us earn it.

“One of the things we try to instill in them is to beat the teams you’re supposed to beat. So, if you see an 0-6 team, don’t underestimate them, but when you get out there and you start playing, if you see that you’re better than them don’t let them think they have a chance. Just go out there and do your job, and I think we did that. I was a little concerned about rust, but they went out there and did some nice things.”

Next up for the Wolverines is sixth-seeded Schalick in the Oct. 7 quarterfinals – one day after they play each other ifor the outright Classic Division lead. The next day the Cougars play Pennsville after the Eagles host fifth-seeded Audubon in the quarterfinals.

Top photo: Woodstown coach Jesse Stemberger (R) talks with Alyssa Berry after her victory put the Wolverines’ first point on the board Tuesday.

Woodstown’s Noelle Neron sends a shot back to Palmyra’s Jane Ancker during her straight-set tournament win at No. 3 singles Tuesday.

NO. 3 WOODSTOWN 5, NO. 14 PALMYRA 0
Nathalie Neron (WO) def. Grace Stavely, 6-0, 6-0
Alyssa Berry (WO) def. Sidney Lim, 6-0, 6-0
Noelle Neron (WO) def. Jane Ancker, 6-1, 6-2
Madison LaPalomento-Emilee Kehr (WO) def. Jasmine Martinez-Karly Klipple, 6-0, 6-1
Emma West-Angelina Lindenmuth (WO) def. Lucy Reigel-Olivia Gallagher, 6-0, 6-0
Records: Woodstown 8-3, Palmyra 0-7.

NO. 6 SCHALICK 5, NO. 11 BUENA 0
Miya Watkins (S) def. Caroline Futty, 6-0, 6-1
Annmarie Podehl (S) def. Tiffany Chen, 6-2, 6-0
Macy Clow (S) def. Kara Horton, 6-0, 6-0
Olivia Lunemann-Sebrina Bradford (S) def. Makenna Feaster-Kiara Hobdy, 6-0, 6-0
Sammi Twigg-Jasmine Hunt (S) def. Julie Tomasso-Alondra Lausell, 6-2, 6-1
Records: Schalick 6-3, Buena 5-5.

NO. 4 PENNSVILLE 5, NO. 13 SALEM 0
Lily Edwards (P) def. Angelina Fothergill, 6-1, 6-2
Isabell Schrenker (P) def. JaNye Hubbard, 6-2, 6-1
Morgan Holt (P) def. Tahirah Davenport-White, 6-1, 6-1
Naomi Hess-Emma Hankin (P) def. Heaven Jones-McCullough-Zaniyah Frieson, 6-0, 6-0
Graillyn Weber-Yerlian Charon (P) def. Evangeline Jiminez Barreto-Erica Brewer, 6-0, 6-0
Records: Pennsville 9-4, Salem 2-7.

SJ GROUP ! QUARTERFINALS
Oct. 7
No. 9 Lower Cape May at No. 1 Pitman
No. 5 Audubon at No. 4 Pennsville
No. 6 Schalick at No. 3 Woodstown
No. 10 Wildwood at No. 2 Haddon Twp.
Oct. 9
Semifinals
Oct. 14
Finals

GIRLS SOCCER
Pennsville 9, Salem Tech 0
Woodstown 4, Pitman 0
Glassboro 8, Salem 1
Gloucester Catholic 6, Penns Grove 0

PENNSVILLE 9, SALEM TECH 0: First-time scorers Isabella Marandola, Anastasia Moore and Maura Widener were among nine goal-scorers for the Eagles. It was the most goals they’ve scored in a game since a 9-2 win over Salem in October 2021.
WOODSTOWN 4, PITMAN 0: Delia Hahn scored her first career goal and Ellie Wygand was in goal for the shutout.
GLASSBORO 8, SALEM 1: Amina Brown scored 40 seconds into the match and the Bulldogs scored four times in the first six minutes. Carlysia Pierce scored Salem’s goal.
GLOUCESTER CATHOLIC 6, PENNS GROVE 0: Bella Laumer scored twice as the Rams won their seventh straight and recorded their fourth straight shutout. 

CROSS COUNTRY
KINGSWAY TCC BATCH MEET
BOYS TOP 20: Trevor Szilier, Washington Twp. 16:41.81; Matthew Littlehales, Delsea 16:49.78; Andrew Dopkin, Highland 16:54.83; Michael Beaver, Kingsway 17:05.80; Liam Murphy, Highland 17:13.52; Payton Veilleux, Kingsway 17:22.57; Gavin Rakitis, Glassboro 17:24.02; Zacchaeus Harrigan, Glassboro 17:24.22; Jaeden Wesley, Glassboro 17:24.42; Joseph Saicic, Glassboro 17:42.62; Rhys Blackman, Pitman 17:30.52; Leandro Santiago, Timber Creek 17:31.84; Ryan Pancoast, Timber Creek, 17:32.79; Blair Duckrey-Furbert, Timber Creek 17:34.84; Karson Chew, Woodstown 17:55.00; Logan Pavelik, Williamstown 17:56.56; Aaron Johnson, Glassboro 17:58.26; Jacob Marino, Woodstown 18:00.05; Oluwanifemi Fadulu, Highland 18:01.30.
OTHER SALEM COUNTY TEAM LEADERS: 31. Chase Riley, Schalick 18:15:22; 58. Anthony Morano, Salem Tech 19:32.57; 67. John Johnson, Penns Grove 19:45.31; 77. Gradin Buzby, Salem 20:00.63; 109: Logan Cowperthwait, Pennsville 22:00.99.

GIRLS TOP 20: Sophia Aldridge, Williamstown 19:25.62; Aubrey Bishop, Kingsway 20:01.41; Abby Marino, Woodstown 20:57.30; Yazmire Bonhomme, Williamstown 21:32.15; Julianne Roes, Clearview 21:39.12; Julia Burgio, Williamstown 21:40.79; Ava Buchanan, Kingsway 21:41.51; Olivia Mashburn, Delsea 21:50.97; Julia Blanchard, Washington Twp. 21:54.53; Anabel Schaal, Woodstown 22:00.10; Brooke Mashburn, Delsea 22:00.57; Isabella Moran, Delsea 22:00.81; Rhea Remaly, Clearview 22:31.11; Sofia Moran, Delsea 22:34.99; Rachael Williams, Clearview 22:39.69; Lillian Pedersen, Clearview 22:39.86; Layla Chain, Washington Twp. 22:47.40; Helen Lillia, Schalick 23:13.24; Leah Hagerman, Clearview 23:14.39; Kate Yanek, Clearview 23:15.54.
OTHER SALEM COUNTY TEAM LEADERS: 28. Sawyer Slad, Pennsville 23:52.78; 61. Abigail Vanaman, Salem Tech, 27:08.65; 

Ayars spot on again

Senior’s golden goal only score in Woodstown win over Pennsville, third game-winner in as many games, Pennsville keeper Rinnier notches 500th save

BOYS SOCCER
Woodstown 1, Pennsville 0 (OT)
Schalick 6, Wildwood 0
Penns Grove 6, Gloucester Catholic 4
Pitman 6, Salem Tech 0
Salem at Glassboro

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

WOODSTOWN — Pennsville goalie Coen Rinnier knows Bryce Ayars really well and the one thing he’d tell you about the Woodstown senior is whatever team he’s playing for he’s always in the right place at the right time.

Ayars was right where he needed to be again Tuesday, perfectly positioned to get one past his club teammate 3:29 into the first overtime for a 1-0 win in a dogfight between Tri-County Conference division leaders that for the longest time seemed destined for a scoreless finish.

Ben Lippincott got the winning play started with a strong corner kick into the box. Blake Bialecki got a left-foot touch on it in heavy traffic and moved it to Ayars, who found enough room to go from left foot to right and shoot it past a stonewalled Rinnier for the winner.

“Every time they put the ball in the box you know that Ayars is dangerous,” Pennsville coach Derek Foglein said. “Today, he got the ball to bounce around seven times and beat us with his feet, which is not what I would’ve had on my bingo card.”

“Obviously, right place, right time and he took advantage of it,” Woodstown coach Darren Huck said.

“He’s always in the right spot,” Rinnier said.

Blake Bialecki (5) celebrates after Bryce Ayars scored the game-winning goal in Woodstown’s 1-0 win over Pennsville Tuesday.

It was Ayars’ third game-winning goal in as many games, ever since being held goalless for the first time this season by Penns Grove. He broke a 1-1 tie with a late winner against Schalick and gave the Wolverines a lead they’d never lose against Pitman. 

But this one was his first walk-off, golden goal in the run. He also had the only goal in their season-opening win over Glassboro, but that came in the first half.

“Going up against Coen is always challenging because he’s a well-rounded goalie who makes plays through the air, on the ground, comes out when he needs to,” Ayars said. “We knew it was going to be hard coming in today playing against him, but we got the job done in overtime.”

The Wolverines (6-0-1), No. 1 in the South Jersey Group I power point standings by a healthy margin, enjoyed the majority of possessions in the match, but Pennsville’s defense turned back their advances every time. Still, Huck was confident if they kept plugging away an opportunity was going to come for them to capitalize, and it eventually did in overtime.

Woodstown’s back line was just as stout, never giving the Eagles (6-4) a chance to really challenge Wolverines keeper Trey Markward. 

At halftime, Foglein considered dropping back a fifth defender and playing for the tie,. But he reconsidered believing his team was “good enough that we don’t need to hold on for dear life for another 40 minutes” and actually thought they might have been the better team in the second half.

“Every time we come here, play on this field, we’re always our most intense,” Rinnier said. “It’s something about this field. Whenever we come here, we play our hardest. It’s the best I’ve seen us play all year, the hardest intensity I’ve seen all year.”

With all the pressure Woodstown applied throughout the match, Rinnier was credited with 17 saves in regulation. His first save of the game was the 500th of his career, making him only the second Pennsville goalie in the last 15 years to reach that milestone.

“I didn’t even know,” he said. “I just like being in the back here and helping our team, just trying to help us as much as I can.”

Top photo: Woodstown’s Bryce Ayars (20) settles the ball before scoring the game-winning goal in overtime against Pennsville Tuesday.

SCHALICK 6, WILDWOOD 0: Nolan O’Toole scored the first goal of the match and assisted on two other goals before halftime. Connor Jackson scored for the third straight game and Nathan Couch scored his first varsity goal.

PENNS GROVE 6, GLOUCESTER CATHOLIC 4: The Red Devils opened a 6-1 lead under the lights. Zack Payne scored three goals for the Rams in the second half.

PITMAN 6, SALEM TECH 0: Nate Newcomb covered a pass from Trevor Leach four minutes into the match and five others followed for the Panthers.

Pennsville keeper Coen Rinnier is poised to make a save in the first half against Woodstown. He recorded his 500th career save earlier in the half.





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.

Schalick0030-3
Eastern0231-6

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.

‘Downright gritty win’

Short-handed Woodstown takes gutsy win from Penns Grove, Pennsville holds off Camden Catholic

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

WOODSTOWN – An injury-riddled Woodstown team came within 72 seconds of posting one of the most unusual winning scores in all of football Friday night. But time and circumstances wouldn’t let it happen, so the Wolverines just went ahead and finished it off.

Quarterback Frankie Hoerst ran in from the 6 with a minute left to close out a 9-0 victory over Penns Grove that could only be described as “gritty.” But for the longest time it looked like the game would end 2-0, courtesy of Lucas Fulmer’s safety in the second quarter.

Players are coaches were convinced they’d finish it 2-0. It stayed that way until the Wolverines took over at the 6 with 1:12 to play after the Red Devils’ fourth-down Hail Mary fell incomplete.

Ordinarily, coach Frank Trautz would haven taken a couple knees in the victory formation to run out the clock in that situation, but Penns Grove still had timeouts to use and there wouldn’t have been enough snaps to exhaust all of what little time remained. Football teams have lost 3-2 before.

So, the Wolverines ran a play and Hoerst took it in on the first snap, then kicked the extra point to make a more traditional score and put a miracle finish by the Red Devils out of reach. There’s no such thing as a nine-point touchdown.

“We just wanted to put this one away,” Trautz said. “We couldn’t kneel it out, there was going to be some time left. 

“I’ve seen way too many crazy things happen on football fields that if you can’t take the knee and kneel it out, I don’t care if there’s 99 yards or one yard, if you give a team a shot to win a game at the end, you never know what can happen. When we knew we couldn’t take a knee, we had to run a play, and it happened to be the first play we scored the touchdown.”

Hoerst was the star of the game, but for more than being the winning quarterback at the helm of a watered-down offense. He’s also the Wolverines’ punter and his first four punts pinned the Red Devils deep in their end. 

The first one was picked up near the goal line and returned to the 15. The next three had the Red Devils starting at their 3, 5 and 7. The one at the 5 led to the safety.

“I told him he controlled the whole game, and I meant that,” Trautz said. “He controlled our offense, he controlled the kicking game. Those four punts are huge. It’s unbelievable to just control that field position all night. Big, big punts.”

And it became a battle between the 20 the rest of the night where the players knew one big play would make all the difference in the outcome.

“I’ve never been in that much of a dogfight before,” junior lineman Bradley Snitcher said. “It was intense.”

That’s how close Woodstown came to winning its game with Penns Grove Friday night with only a safety being scored. The Wolverines punched in a touchdown about a minute later for a more traditional score.

It was a courageous win for the Wolverines. They went into the game reeling in their first three-game losing streak since 2018 with seven starters either sidelined with injuries or gone – and they lost two more during the game: Fulmer and Anthony Costello. 

With such limited resources available, the Wolverines kept it simple and on the ground. Costello and Hoerst provided the running game in the first half, then when Costello he went out, Noah Chiu, who hadn’t taken running back snaps in practice until this week, became the lead back.

Costello rushed for 35 yards on 11 carries, Chiu had 28 yards on nine carries. Chiu also blocked a punt in the third quarter when it was still 2-0.

“It’s a downright gritty win,” Trautz said. “I knew our kids were going to come out and fight tonight because they have too much pride not to. It was our whole backs against the wall and we came out and just fought. I said we were going to scrap and scrap and where the chips fall at the end of the night they fall, but I knew these kids were going to fight because that’s what they’ve got in them.

“You talk about one of the tougher wins I’ve been a part of and that was this. We had guys playing out of position, guys doing whatever they had to do to just try to win a football game. It’s the beauty of high school football, man. You don’t see that in college, you don’t see that in the NFL where guys are just like, hey, put me at this position, I’ll figure it out for that night, and that’s what they did.

“They just kept fighting – and it was awesome to see.”

Trautz is hopeful some of the walking wounded will return for Thursday’s game at Pleasantville, which had its own offensive struggles in beating Haddonfield Friday 6-3.

Fulmer was one of those guys playing out of position, but he overcame any indecisiveness it might have created and was responsible for the only points of the game until the last minute.

One of Hoerst’s paralyzing punts had the Red Devils backed up on their 5. On the first snap of the series, Penns Grove quarterback Mello Erickson-Hubbard rolled to his right, then drifted into the end zone trying to escape the pressure and Fulmer was there to wrap him up. Bradley Snitcher came in on the back side to help clean it up.

“It was my first time ever playing outside linebacker,” Fulmer said. “I just went back to what our defensive coordinator was telling me all week. I saw the lineman go down. I reacted up for run. I see (Erickson-Hubbard) bounce outside and I just ran. I made a play.

“We just wanted it. After losing the last three games we wanted this one bad. I’m just extremely proud of every single guy on our team. We had a lot of guys step up this year, a lot of guys who never played varsity before. It takes a lot of guts to come out here and put on a show, and that’s what we did tonight.”

Woodstown 9, Penns Grove 0

 PG WOOD
71st Downs7
27-89Rushing38-103
3-14-0Passing0-2-0
38Passing yds0
2-0Fumbles-lost0-0
4-40.3Punts-avg7-34.9
6-50Penalties4-20
Penns Grove0000-0
Woodstown0207-9

SCORING SUMMARY
WO-Safety, quarterback tackled in end zone, 5:51 2Q
WO-Frankie Hoerst 6 run (Frankie Hoerst kick), 1:00 4Q

Eagles win another tight one

PENNSVILLE – Pennsville is making a habit of making things interesting.

For the third week in a row the Eagles played a game that went down to the wire. Fortunately for them, they’ve won the last two.

The Eagles overcame a slew of turnovers, but held on to beat Camden Catholic 18-16, with Robbie McDade intercepting a pass in the closing seconds to preserve the victory.

In the two previous weeks, the Eagles had two shots at a winning touchdown in the final eight seconds fall incomplete against Overbrook and last week scored a touchdown in the final 10 seconds to beat Audubon.

“We have made the last couple games interesting, but the big thing I can take away from the last two games is our kids have definitely learned how to keep fighting until the end of the game,” Pennsville coach Mike Healy said. “We need to do a lot of things better still, but it’s good to know they keep going until the end of the game.”

The Eagles (2-3) scored the first two touchdowns of the game and took a 12-8 lead into halftime. They went up 18-8 ion a McDade touchdown n the third, but the Irish brought it back to 18-16 early in the fourth quarter.

They gave the Irish a chance to go-ahead late in the fourth quarter when they fumbled near midfield with less than a minute to play. McDade killed the threat with his interception with 15 seconds to play.

“We made it a little more difficult on ourselves than we needed to, but we kept going, kept showing back up, got the stops we needed to get them and finish the game,” Healy said.

Camden Catholic0808-16
Pennsville01260-18

WJFL Standings

DIAMONDALLDIV
Glassboro5-03-0
Salem2-32-1
Schalick2-32-1
Woodbury1-41-2
Woodstown2-31-2
Penns Grove0-50-3
PATRIOTALLDIV
West Deptford5-04-0
Paulsboro5-04-0
Pennsville2-32-2
Overbrook3-21-2
Collingswood3-21-2
Camden Catholic0-50-3
Audubon0-40-3

THURSDAY’S GAMES
Salem 26, Schalick 13
Paulsboro 26, Overbrook 16
West Deptford 29, Audubon 0

FRIDAY’S GAMES
Pennsville 18, Camden Catholic 16
Woodstown 9, Penns Grove 0
Collingswood 36, Haddon Twp. 0

SATURDAY’S GAMES
Glassboro 52, Woodbury 13

OCTOBER 2
Woodstown at Pleasantville, 6 p.m.

OCTOBER 3
Glassboro at Deptford, 6
Paulsboro at Schalick, 6
Pennsville at Penns Grove, 6:30
Collingswood at Sterling, 7
Haddonfield at West Deptford, 7
Overbrook at Clayton, 7

OCTOBER 4
Gateway at Woodbury, 10 a.m.
Audubon at Gloucester Catholic. 11
Camden Catholic at Haddon Heights, noon
Salem at Middle Township, noon

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.

Stepping up, showing out

Freshman Vanlier moved to center forward, delivers 3 assists in Schalick’s win over Penns Grove; Pennsville scores another shutout; includes Salem County roundup

WEDNESDAY SOCCER
Schalick 7, Penns Grove 1
Pennsville 7, Salem 0
Gloucester Catholic 5, Salem Tech 4 (OT)

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

PENNS GROVE — The closest Schalick soccer comes to giving out a game ball is coach Joe Mannella giving a nice atta boy to a player in the huddle after the game. If they did give out a game ball for Wednesday’s match with Penns Grove, it surely would have gone to Ty Vanlier.

VANLIER

The freshman moved up to center forward for the first time since he was a youth and got a shout out from the coach after producing three assists in a 7-1 win over the Red Devils that got their swagger back.

The Cougars (5-2-1) were forced to look for another option up front after senior Luke Price sustained a concussion in the Bordentown match Saturday. Vanlier got his feet wet up front against Woodstown, but with a full day to prepare for the task played the whole game Wednesday feeling a lot more comfortable and assisted on goals by Anthony Sepers, Connor Jackson and Steve Chomo.

“Normally I play center midfield, but I had to do what I had to do,” Vanlier said. “I tried to go up top and just contribute to the best of my ability. That used to be my main position and then I got moved to midfielder for club. I probably played it last when I was 8 years old. They told me just play my game, do what I do best.”

“He’s one of our talented freshmen that we’ve been looking at all season waiting to get an opportunity to really make an impact,” Mannella said. “Last game he played some minutes up top against Woodstown, we liked what we saw, but we didn’t have any preparation for it. We had a nice practice yesterday, he showed us a lot there, and today you couldn’t ask for anything more out of him. He seized the opportunity and that’s the sign of a good player.”

The Cougars were reeling a bit after one-goal losses to Bordentown and rival Woodstown, but they came out aggressively and controlled the action from the opening kickoff. They opened the scoring in the eighth minute when Sepers banged home a rebound and made it 2-0 when Vanlier sent a through ball between two defenders for Jackson to finish.

Spinnato made it 3-0 in the 33rd minute, shortly after a red card left the Red Devils to play with 10 men for the rest of the game. 

“We were flat the last two games, it’s just hard for us to play, I don’t know why; it wasn’t us,” Spinnato said. “We got our swagger back this game and we’re going to come for everything now. We knew we had to win and we knew we had to come here and show people we’re still into this.”

“We certainly got some confidence back today,” Mannella said. “To lose two in a row, moving positions, changing formations, they start getting antsy and you’ve got to try and not panic. The guys did a good job settling in today and getting back to playing good soccer. More work ahead, but it was a nice step to get a little confidence back.”

Penns Grove (2-2-1) seemed poised to make a statement after an overtime win over Glassboro and a tie at Woodstown earlier in the week, but the Cougars never gave them a chance to cash in on that momentum. The Red Devils had gotten a couple nice shots on Schalick keeper Evan Sepers, but only got it past him once.

Juan Ortiz scored the Red Devils’ goal two minutes before halftime.

“Didn’t go our way,” Red Devils coach Mano Massari said. “This team for years has been dominant; they just have. They were better than us today, that’s what it comes down to. We were sloppy at times, for sure. Playing a man down is never beneficial, especially when you’re playing a team like that.”

The Cougars got goals in the second half from Jaxon Weber (penalty kick), Steve Chomo, Spinnato and Landon Anderson. For Anderson, a junior, it was his first career varsity goal.

PENNSVILLE 7, SALEM 0: Sam Hassler had two goals and two assists, Ugur Elmali had three assists and Coen Rinnier posted his fifth shutout. The Eagles haven’t given up a goal to an opposing player since their 2-1 loss at Overbrook in the third game of the season.

“One thing I was never worried about this team coming into this season was our defense,” Pennsville coach Derek Foglein said. “Coen is one of the best goalkeepers in South Jersey and Steve (Fatcher) and Brant (Regner) at center back have really worked hard to make a fantastic ying and yang pairing – probably the best I’ve had in my seven seasons.”

The Eagles got a boost in their bid for the TCC Classic Division title when Wildwood handed Clayton its second division loss, 2-1 in overtime. Pennsville already has beaten Wildwood and Clayton in division play. 

GLOUCESTER CATHOLIC 5, SALEM TECH 4: Zack Payne’s fourth goal of the game, a golden goal in overtime, gave the Rams the victory. Salem Tech charged back with four goals in the second half after falling behind 4-0 at halftime.

Girls soccer

SCHALICK 7, PENNS GROVE 0: Kiley Parvin and Donaji Ortiz Sanchez scored their first career goals and it was such an exhilarating experience they did it multiple times. Parvin finished with a hat trick and Ortiz Sanchez had two goals. Kyleigh Cutler had three assists.

GLOUCESTER CATHOLIC 7, SALEM TECH 0: Ana Yucis scored two goals for the Rams.

PITMAN 7, SALEM 0: Emily Sharpnack scored two goals for the Panthers.

Field hockey

SENECA 8, SCHALICK 1: Ava Scurry scored the Cougars’ only goal with an assist from Alexa Shimp. The goal left the senior with 199 career points. Goalie Lydia Gilligan faced constant pressure from the Golden Eagles and despite the score played what coach Heather Cheesman called “the game of her life.”

GLOUCESTER CATHOLIC 3, SALEM 0: Madelyn McGinn scored the first and last goals of the game.


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.

Big first goal

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.

BELL

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.”

MORGAN

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.