Woodstown girls tennis captures ninth division title under Stemberger; will be updated
By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News
WOODSTOWN – The No. 2 doubles team of Isabella Lindenmuth and Eleanore Lawson scored a straight-set victory Tuesday that not only clinched Woodstown’s 5-0 victory over Timber Creek but also its ninth TCC Diamond Division girls tennis title under coach Jesse Stemberger.
Lindenmuth and Lawson defeated Samantha Bioanelli and Kadie Jabbie 6-2, 6-2. The Wolverines (10-7) also got points from Madison LaPalomento, Emma West, Angelina Lindenmuth and the doubles team of Emilee Kehr-Elliana Norman. All five of their wins in the match came in straight sets.
The title was the Wolverines’ third in a row, the second three-peat in Stemberger’s tenure.
“It’s always nice (to win a division title),” Stemberger said. “It’s always a sign of accomplishment when the girls can pull it off. It takes a lot of hard work. Think of when you start off in August you don’t know how it’s all going to go, but when it falls into place it feels good.
“They (Timber Creek) were definitely better than the first time we played them; we certainly didn’t overlook them. Thankfully, we were up for the take. The girls knew what was at stake and we finished the deal.”
FIELD HOCKEY
Woodstown 5, Millville 0: Lexi Taylor scored four goals and Kendall Higgins logged three saves as the Wolverines (9-3) won their third straight with their fifth shutout of the season. Talia Guardacione scored Woodstown’s other goal, off an assist from Taylor.
Bridgeton 10, Salem 0: Ciani Money scored three goals and Laila Melendez and Timer Heard both had had tricks.
BOYS SOCCER
Penns Grove at Gloucester Catholic
Pitman 4, Salem Tech 1: Jonas Trum scored the first of his three goals five minutes into the match. Logan Pace scored the Chargers’ goal in the second half to make it 2-1.
GIRLS SOCCER
Pitman 6, Salem Tech 0:
VOLLEYBALL
Clearview at Salem Tech
Category: SALEM TECH
Standings
Here are the WJFL Diamond/Independence and TCC Diamond/Classic division standings through Oct. 11
WJFL Football
| DIAMOND | ALL | DIV | INDEPENDENCE | ALL | DIV |
| Schalick | 7-0 | 4-0 | Woodstown | 3-4 | 3-0 |
| Paulsboro | 5-2 | 2-1` | Penns Grove | 4-2 | 3-0 |
| Overbrook | 3-4 | 2-1 | Clayton | 4-2 | 1-1 |
| Burlington City | 2-4 | 1-3 | Woodbury | 2-5 | 1-2 |
| Salem | 4-3 | 1-3 | Pitman | 2-4 | 0-2 |
| Pennsville | 4-3 | 0-3 | Buena | 3-4 | 0-3 |
TCC Boys Soccer
| CLASSIC | ALL | DIV | DIAMOND | ALL | DIV |
| Clayton | 7-5 | 6-0 | Schalick | 8-2 | 7-0 |
| Salem Tech | 6-6 | 2-3 | Woodstown | 7-5-1 | 4-3 |
| Pennsville | 3-7 | 2-3 | Penns Grove | 7-3-1 | 3-3-1 |
| Glou Cath | 2-8 | 2-3 | Overbrook | 5-6 | 3-4 |
| Salem | 0-7 | 0-3 | Glassboro | 5-6-1 | 2-4-1 |
| Pitman | 3-8-1 | 1-6 |
TCC Girls Soccer
| CLASSIC | ALL | DIV | DIAMOND | ALL | DIV |
| Pitman | 7-5 | 7-0 | Schalick | 9-2-1 | 7-0 |
| Glou Cath | 5-6 | 4-3 | Woodstown | 10-2-1 | 5-1 |
| Pennsville | 7-5 | 4-3 | Overbrook | 4-7 | 2-4 |
| Clayton | 7-4 | 4-3 | Penns Grove | 2-7 | 1-3 |
| Salem Tech | 2-8 | 2-5 | Glassboro | 1-10 | 0-4 |
| Salem | 0-11 | 0-7 |
TCC Field Hockey
| CLASSIC | ALL | DIV | DIAMOND | ALL | DIV |
| Salem Tech | 10-2 | 6-0 | Woodstown | 8-3 | 6-0 |
| Pennsville | 4-7 | 3-2 | Overbrook | 7-3 | 3-1 |
| Glou Cath | 3-4 | 2-2 | Schalick | 8-3 | 2-2 |
| Salem | 1-11 | 1-3 | Glass/Pit | 3-5 | 2-4 |
| Clayton | 0-5 | 0-3 | Deptford | 4-9 | 0-6 |
TCC Girls Tennis
| CLASSIC | ALL | DIV | DIAMOND | ALL | DIV |
| Pitman | 14-4 | 5-0 | Woodstown | 9-7 | 6-0 |
| Pennsville | 9-4 | 2-2 | Schalick | 8-8 | 4-2 |
| Glassboro | 7-7 | 2-3 | Timber Cr | 6-6 | 3-2 |
| Glou Cath | 0-0 | 0-0 | Overbrook | 2-9 | 1-4 |
| Salem | 0-10 | 0-5 | Penns Grove | 1-9 | 0-6 |
This week’s schedule
Here is the Salem County sports schedule for the week of Oct. 12-17; all games 4 p.m. unless noted
MONDAY, OCT. 12
FIELD HOCKEY
Maple Shade at Schalick, 3:45 p.m.
BOYS SOCCER
Overbrook at Pennsville, 10 a.m.
Woodstown at Clayton, 10 a.m.
Glassboro at Salem, 11 a.m.
Schalick at Bordentown, 2 p.m.
GIRLS SOCCER
Gloucester Catholic at Penns Grove
Pennsville at Overbrook
Woodstown at Clayton, noon
Pitman at Schalick, 6 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
Schalick at Pennsville, 10 a.m.
COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL
Salem CC at Delaware Tech, 6 p.m.
TUESDAY, OCT. 13
FIELD HOCKEY
Woodstown at Millville
Salem at Bridgeton, 6 p.m.
BOYS SOCCER
Penns Grove at Gloucester Catholic
Salem Tech at Pitman, 7 p.m.
GIRLS SOCCER
Salem Tech at Pitman, 5 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
Timber Creek at Woodstown, 3:45 p.m.
VOLLEYBALL
Clearview at Salem Tech, 5:15 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 14
BOYS SOCCER
Overbrook at Penns Grove
Salem at Pennsville
Schalick at Glassboro
Woodstown at Pitman
GIRLS SOCCER
Glassboro at Schalick
Pennsville at Salem
Penns Grove at Overbrook
FIELD HOCKEY
Deptford at Pennsville
Glassboro at Salem Tech
Overbrook at Salem
GIRLS TENNIS
Glassboro at Pennsville, 3:45 p.m.
Schalick at Penns Grove
COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL
Middlesex at Salem CC, 6 p.m.
THURSDAY, OCT. 15
FOOTBALL
Millville at Atlantic City, 6 p.m.
Florence at Maple Shade, 6 p.m.
Allentown at Ewing, 6 p.m.
Timber Creek at Bridgeton, 6 p.m.
Hopewell Valley at Hightstown, 6 p.m.
Mastern Camden at Clearview, 7 p.m.
FIELD HOCKEY
Cumberland at Salem Tech
BOYS SOCCER
Gloucester at Salem Tech
KIPP at Pennsville
Salem at Cape May Tech
Schalick at Sterling
West Deptford at Penns Grove
GIRLS SOCCER
Paulsboro at Penns Grove
Pennsville at Haddon Twp.
GIRLS TENNIS
Woodstown at Glassboro, 3:45 p.m.
Schalick at Kingsway, 4:15 p.m.
VOLLEYBALL
Clearview at Salem Tech, 5:15 p.m.
FRIDAY, OCT. 16
FOOTBALL
Pennsville at Schalick, 6 p.m.
Salem at Burlington City, 6 p.m.
Buena at Pitman, 7 p.m.
Northern Burlington at Williamstown, 6 p.m.
Camden Eastside at Cinnaminson, 6 p.m.
Vineland at St. Joe (Hamm.), 6 p.m.
Ocean City at Holy Spirit, 6 p.m.
Pennsauken at Eastern, 6 p.m.
Burlington Twp. at Shawnee, 6 p.m.
St. Augustine at Kingsway, 6 p.m.
Camden at Glassboro, 6 p.m.
Rancocas Valley at Pleasantville, 6 p.m.
Lenape at Cherry Hill East, 6 p.m.
Camden Catholic at KIPP, 6 p.m.
Cedar Creek at Mainland, 6 p.m.
Steinert at Notre Dame, 6 p.m.
Collingswood at Audubon, 6 p.m.
Gloucester at Cherry Hill West, 6 p.m.
Winslow at Washington Twp., 6 p.m.
Middle Twp. at Lindenwold, 6 p.m.
Highland at Cumberland, 6 p.m.
Sterling at Bishop Eustace, 6:30 p.m.
Willingboro at Haddonfield, 7 p.m.
Lawrence at Robbinsville, 7 p.m.
Gloucester Catholic at Haddon Twp., 7 p.m.
WW-Plainsboro at Holy Cross, 7 p.m.
Paul VI at Seneca, 7 p.m.
Haddon Heights at Gateway, 7 p.m.
Delran at West Deptford, 7 p.m.
Cherokee at Delsea, 7 p.m.
FIELD HOCKEY
Clayton at Salem
Schalick at Glassboro
BOYS SOCCER
Salem Tech at Overbrook
GIRLS SOCCER
Salem at Glassboro, 3 p.m.
Schalick at Clearview, 4:15 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
Pennsville at Timber Creek
Pitman at Penns Grove
Salem at Woodstown
VOLLEYBALL
Salem Tech at Woodbury
SATURDAY, OCT. 17
FOOTBALL
Woodstown at Penns Grove, noon
Clayton at Woodbury, 11 a.m.
Overbrook at Paulsboro, 12:30 p.m.
Wildwood at Palmyra, 11 a.m.
Trenton at Princeton, 11 a.m.
Hamilton West at Nottingham, noon
Oakcrest at Atlantic Tech, noon
Lower Cape May at Hammonton, noon
Egg Harbor at Absegami, noon
Triton at Moorestown, 1 p.m.
Bordentown at Riverside, 1:30 p.m.
Deptford at Pemberton, 2 p.m.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Sussex CC vs. Salem CC, Pennsville H.S., 1 p.m.
COLLEGE CROSS COUNTRY
Salem CC in Border Battle, Dream Park
Stepping up to deliver
Eachus scores Salem Tech’s first field hockey hat trick, Koering delivers in overtime, freshmen answer the call for Wolverines, Woodstown closing in on tennis division title
THURSDAY FIELD HOCKEY
Salem Tech 5, Burlington City 0
Woodstown 7, Deptford 0
Gloucester Catholic 7, Salem 0
Schalick 1, Haddon Heights 0
Pennsville at Clayton
By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News
WOODSTOWN – Hazel Eachus added her name the growing history of Salem Tech field hockey Thursday when she scored the first hat trick in program history leading the Chargers to a 5-0 win over Burlington City.
It was the Chargers’ eighth straight win and allowed them to match their win total of last year’s inaugural season.
Eachus, a sophomore, scored her historic goal in the third quarter to give the Chargers (9-2) to complete the scoring. She also scored the first and third goals of the game in the first quarter and now has 12 for the season and 20 for her career. She had scored two goals in a game five times previously.
“It takes the whole team,” Eachus said of her milestone. “I have my amazing midfield, backs and wings to do all the hard work. I just try to be in the right place at the right time.”
Shelby Drummond had a goal and an assist. Jessilyn Chambers scored the other goal and Hayden Crispin had two assists.
Woodstown 7, Deptford 0: Lexi Taylor and Brooke Dillon both scored a hat track and had two assists scored three second-quarter goals. Taylor scored all three of her goals in the second quarter. Zoe Lipovsky scored the Wolverines’ other goal.
Schalick 1, Haddon Heights 0: Ranae Scurry scored the game’s only goal in the third quarter on an assist from Lucy Virga and Jayonna Johnson kept the Garnets out of the cage.
Top photo: Salem Tech’s Hazel Eachus (12) lines up a shot during a game with Pennsville earlier in the week.
Boys soccer
THURSDAY’S SCORES
Penns Grove 2, Pitman 1
Schalick 3, Overbrook 2 (OT)
Woodstown 2, Glassboro 0
Clayton 3, Salem Tech 0
Gloucester Catholic 4, Pennsville 3
PINE HILL – The teams had been going back and forth all day, but Tim Koering was in the right spot at the right time to finally put it away.
Koering scored his fifth goal of the season early in overtime to lift Schalick over Overbrook 3-2 for its sixth win in a row.
The Cougars (8-2) never lost the lead in the game, but they couldn’t shake their hosts. The Rams tied it at 1-1 and 2-2, sending the game to overtime on a flukish goal three seconds before the end of regulation. Cougars keeper Nick Latona punched out the Rams’ long free kick, but the ball hit the back of a player’s head and dropped down for the Rams to finish. “Three inches on way or the other he’d have punched it out,” Schalick coach Joe Mannella lsaid.
But Koering came through to save the day. It was a highlight kind of a goal for a junior who has fought through injuries his whole career. Even his start to this season was delayed by a broken nose he suffered in the preseason. He scored his first varsity goal against Overbrook last month.
“He’s been sharing time up top and he’s been scoring his share of goals,” Mannella said. “He was in the right place with a great ball.”
The Cougars can clinch the Tri-County Diamond Division title Wednesday with a win at Glassboro.
Penns Grove 2, Pitman 1: Juan Ortiz scored both goals and Prince Ledbetter got both assists. Ortiz’ first goal was a rocket from 25 yards out into the top corner.
Woodstown 2, Glassboro 0: Tommy Tucci and Nick DiTeodoro scored goals in the first half and Lee Coombs posted his second straight shutout.
Gloucester Catholic 4, Pennsville 3: Max Grimmie scored three goals for the Rams.
Girls soccer
THURSDAY’S SCORES
Woodstown 7, Glassboro 1
Pennsville 4, Gloucester Catholic 1
Schalick 6, Overbrook 0
Pitman 6, Salem 0
Clayton 6, Salem Tech 0
GLASSBORO – The future looks bright for Woodstown girls soccer.
All seven of the Woodstown’s goals came from freshman as the Wolverines ganged up on Glassboro 7-1 for their fourth straight win.
Sayumi Gonzalez, Mariah Hyman and Korynn Hernandez all scored twice and Bella Lucas scored once. Hernandez also had a pair of assists. This Fab Four has accounted for 32 goals and 17 assists this season.
“We have relied on our freshmen and they are a big reason for our success,” Wolverines coach Kieran Keyser said. “We still have a lot to learn but are moving in the right direction.”
Pennsville 4, Gloucester Catholic 1: Abby Marandola scored three goals in the second half as the Eagles pulled away from a 1-1 halftime tie. Karsen Cooksey gave the Eagles (7-5) a 1-0 lead and assisted on Marandola’s go-ahead goal.
Schalick 6, Overbrook 0: Olivia Vanacker scored three goals and Kyliegh Cutler had three assists. It was the Cougars’ eighth shutout and the 51st among the 66 wins in Will Kemp’s five-year tenure as head coach (66-21-3). They’ve given up only six goals all season.
Pitman 6, Salem 0: Marlee Adams scored two of Pitman’s six first-half goals.
Clayton 6, Salem Tech 0: Madi Traister had a hat trick and Audrina Giglio scored twice.
Girls tennis
THURSDAY’S SCORES
Woodstown 3, Schalick 2
PITTSGROVE – Madison LaPalomento’s straight-set victory at No. 1 singles clinched Woodstown’s 3-2 win over rival Schalick that gave the Wolverines at least a share of their ninth Tri-County Diamond Division title under coach Jesse Stemberger and third in a row.
The Wolverines, 9-7 overall and 6-0 in the division, hold a two-game lead in the loss column over Schalick and Timber Creek with two matches to play. They can clinch it outright with a win Tuesday against Timber Creek.
LaPalomento defeated Olivia Lunemann, 6-4, 6-2 for the clinching point. The Wolverines got their other points from No. 3 singles Angelina Lindenmuth and the No. 1 doubles team of Elliana Norman and Emilee Kehr.
“Schalick is always going to be a tough match because we’ve been county and division rivals for many years and both schools get up for the match,” Stemberger said. “I give (Schalick coach) Brandi Petrunis a lot of credit as her team has greatly improved since our last match (a 5-0 Woodstown win).
“I also give a lot of credit to our girls who were able to put the festivities of Homecoming Week behind them and come out of a difficult Schalick environment with a win.”
WOODSTOWN 3, SCHALICK 2
Madison LaPalomento (WO) def. Olivia Lunemann, 6-4, 6-2
Sebrina Bradford (S) def. Emma West, 6-2, 6-2
Angelina Lindenmuth (WO) def. Jasmine Hunt, 6-1, 6-4
Elliana Norman-Emilee Kehr (WO) def. Brooke Brown-Jazmin Perez, 6-1, 6-0
River Wojcik-Janae White (S) def. Isabella Lindenmuth-Eleanore Lawson, 6-3, 7-5
Records: Woodstown 9-7, Schalick 8-8
More than a win
Penns Grove girls tennis wins for first time since 2023, roundup includes scores and details from Wednesday’s Salem County sports schedule
BOYS SOCCER
Camden Academy Charter 6, Salem 1
VOLLEYBALL
Highland 2, Salem Tech 1
GIRLS TENNIS
Penns Grove 3, Salem 2
West Deptford 3, Schalick 2
By Riverview Sports News
SALEM – The first doubles team of Cadence Jackson and Clarisleidy Smith won for the first time this season and No. 3 singles Valeria Torres won her third match of the season to lift Penns Grove to its first victory, 3-2 over Salem. The Red Devils’ other point came on a forfeit at second doubles.
It was the Red Devils’ first girls tennis win since Sept. 22, 2023, snapping a 39-match losing streak.
PENNS GROVE 3, SALEM 2
Heaven Jones-McCullough (S) def. Adanelys Lopez Melendez, 6-0, 6-4
JaNye Hubbard (S) def. Kavila Pulchard, 6-1, 6-1
Valeria Torres (PG) def. Erica Brewer, 6-2, 6-1
Cadence Jackson-Clarisleidy Smith (PG) def. Aleena Allen-Aniya Lyles-Clark, 6-1, 6-0
Andrea Chaparro-Stephani Recinos (PG) won by forfeit.
Records: Penns Grove 1-8, Salem 0-9.
PITTSGROVE – West Deptford won two tight first-to-10 third set tiebreakers after each losing the first set to down Schalick 3-2.
The Eagles got the crucial points at second singles and first doubles. The first doubles team also won a second set tiebreaker to even their match.
WEST DEPTFORD 3, SCHALICK 2
Jody Wu (WD) def. Olivia Lunemann, 6-0, 6-2
Faith Hardy-Stith (WD) def. Sebrina Bradford, 3-6, 6-1, 11-9
Jasmine Hunt (S) def. Anastasia Besar, 6-0, 6-1
Lily Avila-Najae Budiere (WD) def. Brooke Brown-Jazmin Perez, 4-6, 7-6 (7-3), 10-8
Janae White-River Wojcik (S) def. Laura Monticolo-Rylee Hill, 6-2, 6-3
Records: West Deptford 8-11, Schalick 8-7.
Wolverines sweep
Farrell, repeat winner Marino lead Woodstown to its first boys-girls team sweep in Salem County Cross Country Championship since 2011
By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News
WOODSTOWN – After dutifully following the leaders for three years waiting for his turn, David Farrell has finally become the leader of Woodstown’s cross country pack and has embraced the role and all of its responsibilities.
Where once he was making his way behind two or three older veterans, he’s the one bringing them along now. He was right where he was supposed to be Wednesday, leading the Wolverines across the line to win the Salem County Cross Country boys race and lead them to another team championship.
Farrell ran the 5K course at Salem Tech in 16:38.89. Woodstown won the team title for the third year in a row, placing all five counters in the top 10 and trimming runner-up Salem Tech by 13 points.
Abby Marino ran away with the girls race despite battling seasonal stuffiness, winning in 18:51.24, a time that was five seconds faster than the PR she ran finishing second at the Osprey Invite two weekends ago and nearly two and a half minutes ahead of race runner-up Sawyer Slad of Pennsville. It was more than a minute faster than her winning time a year ago at Schalick.
She also led the Wolverines to their first girls county team title since 2015, edging Schalick in what became a head-to-head team competition by 13 points and ending the Cougars’ seven-year stranglehold on the crown.
It was the first time since 2011 the Wolverines swept both team county titles.
In his first three years in the program, Farrell was always among the Wolverines’ top runners, but in the pecking orderthe he was always a follower. As a freshman, he was behind Karson Chew and Jake Marino. As a sophomore it was Chew, Marino and Cole Lucas, and then last year it was back to Chew and Marino. Always a vital cog, even to the decorated 4×800 relay team in the spring, but always deferring to the captains.
With all of them now gone, he was now the alpha with a county title within his grasp, but he was always cognizant of his responsibility.
“It sort of felt like the team was handed over to me, like I have to be responsible now,” Farrell said. “Being a captain is a little different. I was always with those guys and they were always pushing me (to succeed), so I’m doing the same thing to rest of the team.
“(Coach Steve New) said a team is only as good as its captain allows it to be. That requires whoever is captain to uplift the rest of the team. I want to see them do well, so I try to push them every day. The biggest difference is now I’m the one getting asked the questions, so I have to know those things more and lead the team. Every other race before this I would just look at our captain. I’d try to stick to them. Now I’m trying to push the other guys.”
New never doubted Farrell had the wherewithal to assume the leadership position.
“Dave puts all the work in, so I’m not worried about that,” New said. “That kid works his tail off. You don’t have to worry about him ever putting in the necessary work to get the job done, so I’m not concerned about his training ever and he’s a smart kid. He understands how to race. He’s been in so many high-pressure situations this past winter on that 4×8 that like any race he comes to now it’s almost lower pressure even though it’s just on him. He knows how to handle it. He knows how to deal with it. He’s battle tested.
“He knew what he needed to do. He was around hard workers when he came in. He’s a hard worker himself. I don’t think it was a difficult transition for him because he works so hard on his own anyway. Getting him to run hard is not a challenge.”
And New thinks the senior still has more to show. He sometimes goes out a little more conservative than the coach would like and the day he goes out fast the coach is convinced “he’s going to light it up.”
On Wednesday he led a tight group off the start line as the Wolverines tried to pack run early to establish control. About a mile into the race Farrell figured he could take it from there and proceeded to stretch it out. He finished 32 seconds ahead of runner-up teammate Pacey Hutton.
Marino, meanwhile, just didn’t feel good all day, but nothing was going to keep her from going to the start line and give it all she had. It was simply, as always, a case of mind over matter – if she didn’t mind, it didn’t matter.
She broke out early and was never threatened. Her lead was so large for so long, she was appreciative of the coaches and teammates finding her at various points on the course to offer encouragement and keep her engaged. She admitted if they weren’t there she would’ve sat back a lot more.
“The temperature change has been rough,” she said. “I really couldn’t breathe through my nose the whole race. It definitely didn’t feel good. It made it super hard, but it’s more of a mental (challenge) than anything. If you believe you can do it, you can do it. I have a job to do and I’m going to do it to my best ability.”
All in all, it was a day that put her beliefs in competition to the test and confirmed her approach to the sport.
“If you put your mind to it, you can do anything, especially cross country along with a lot of other sports,” she said. “It’s all mental and once you realize if you believe in yourself you can really push your limits so much more.”
SALEM COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP
| BOYS SCORES: Woodstown 25, Salem Tech 38, Schalick 80, Pennsville 112, Salem 119 |
| GIRLS SCORES: Woodstown 21, Schalick 34 |
| BOYS TOP 15 | GIRLS TOP 10 | ||
| David Farrell, Woodstown | 16:38.89 | Abby Marino, Woodstown | 18:51.24 |
| Pacey Hutton, Woodstown | 17:10.49 | Sawyer Slad, Pennsville | 21:15.60 |
| Levi Seals, Salem Tech | 17:17.95 | Reese Madiraca, Woodstown | 21:55.48 |
| Torsten Duva, Woodstown | 17:22.83 | Peyton Michel, Pennsville | 21:55.95 |
| Carter Marts, Pennsville | 17:23.14 | Helen Lillia, Schalick | 22:47.71 |
| Anthony Morano, Salem Tech | 17:50.23 | Emma Wilbur, Schalick | 22:57.17 |
| Jean-Pierre Pozo, Salem Tech | 17:55.19 | Anabel Schaal, Woodstown | 23:08.10 |
| Joseph MacNeil, Salem Tech | 17:56.69 | Lucianna Mannella, Woodstown | 23:38.60 |
| Nicolas Law, Woodstown | 18:03.74 | Harper Mulford, Pennsville | 23:41.48 |
| Michael Turner, Woodstown | 18:10.40 | Kiera Porch, Woodstown | 23:55.34 |
| Collin Bittle, Schalick | 18:17.10 | ||
| Aidan Cain, Schalick | 18:17.37 | ||
| Aidan Dominguez, Penns Grove | 18:27.60 | ||
| Chase Pompper, Salem Tech | 18:35.25 | ||
| Jackson Perry, Woodstown | 18:36.65 |
Hall inducts new class
Eclectic class of inductees to be enshrined in the Salem County Sports Hall of Fame in ceremonies at Salem CC in January
By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News
This year’s Salem County Sports Hall of Fame induction class has it all. It covers a variety of sports, a cross-section of the high schools in the county and even some international flair.
It features a legendary coach, one of the most prolific scorers in county basketball history, an athlete whose success reaches from the field to the sidelines, one of the best athletes the county ever produced, a World Cup soccer player and an administrator who raised the entire athletics profile at his school.
This year’s Hall of Fame induction class features – drum roll, please – Geoff Shute, Joe Hickman, Sean Collins, Steve Ware, Tierrny Wiltshire and community honoree Jack Swain.
“It’s an extraordinary group of athletes and coaches, a well-deserved honor and I’m privileged to be able to do this,” said Salem Community College president and SCSHOF committee member Mike Gorman, “When you look at Shute and Collins, they have coaching resumes that are extraordinary. Collins also has a player’s resume that is well deserving. Hickman was a legend in basketball in the county.
“Look at Steve Ware. I was his assistant principal at that time, so I knew that Class of ’85 very well – and it’s one of the few times that Woodstown beat Delsea. And Tierrny –the World Cup. Most of us didn’t even have tickets to the World Cup much less be playing in it.”
Shute was Pennsville’s cross country coach from 2001 t0 2016, compiling a dual meet record of 114-15 with 77 wins in a row between 2004 and 2016. He won 11 Tri-County Conference division titles, nine Salem County crowns and the 2006 state championship among his eight top-five finishes at the state meet.
Hickman is Woodstown’s all-time leading scorer in basketball (1,726 points) and tied for fourth on the Salem County all-time list. He remembered for being a leader on some Wolverines teams in the early ’70s that endured some tough times.
“I’ve had an opportunity to talk to a lot of people in the community that know him,” Woodstown athletics director Joe Ursino said. “Obviously I don’t know him well because my time started after his involvement, but there’s more than just the basketball side of it. From the stories I hear and the teams he was on, some of the things, just the way the world was, that that team went through, the first thing everybody will tell you is he was a leader of that team. On top of that, his play made it evident he was going to lead the team.
“I had an opportunity to sit next to him at the playoff game when we went to Salem last year. I don’t know if he knew who I was, but I knew who he was and for me, as a former basketball coach, a former coach at Woodstown, it was a neat experience, because you could still see his passion for Woodstown, you can see his passion for the game. When you’re a basketball player and you know how to play the game, it doesn’t matter what year the game is being played in you can find the intricacies of it and you could see him recognizing them. It was just neat to be part of that.”
Ware was a three-sport athlete at Woodstown who went on to set football records at Trenton State (now TCNJ). In 1984 he set the school’s single-game rushing record that stood until 2022 and in 1985 set the single-season rushing record that also stood until 2022.
Collins enjoyed success both as a player and a coach. He was a multiple all-star in football, baseball and basketball, His 1,393 career points in basketball ranks in the top 20 on the county list. As a coach he won more than 100 games and two different schools (111 at Schalick). He has now been inducted into six Halls of Fame.
Wiltshire was born in Elmer and played three seasons at Schalick, where she also played basketball and ran track. After high school she played a Rutgers, then played professionally overseas and in the NWSL ultimately competing for Jamaica’s Reggae Girlz in the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
The sixth member of the class, Swain, is the retiring superintendent of Salem County Vocational Technical Schools. During his tenure Salem Tech has built an entire athletics program at the school, providing its student-athletes the chance to play for the school they attend. After bringing field hockey, baseball and softball on line last year, about the only sports missing from the school’s lineup is football and wrestling.
The committee also will be recognizing Pennsville’s 2006 cross country state championship team coached by Shute, as well as this past academic year’s state champions.
This Hall of Fame class will be enshrined in Salem CC’s Davidow Theatre on Jan. 15, 2027, a seasonal date that will remain consistent on the Hall calendar going forward. The event is free and open to the public.
Tough tennis draw
Wolverines run into a buzzsaw in SJ Group 1 tennis quarters; also, Woodstown girls soccer blanks Overbrook on Senior Day, Schalick’s Spinnato scores twice on Penns Grove again, and more
GIRLS TENNIS
SJ Group 1 Quarterfinals
Pitman 5, Roselle Park 0
Haddon Twp. 3, Gateway 2
Metuchen 5, Woodstown 0
New Providence 4, Woodbridge Magnet 1
By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News
WOODSTOWN – The seedings said Woodstown was the favorite, but the Wolverines looked very much like the underdog.
Metuchen came to the Woodstown Tennis Complex Tuesday with a one-loss record and No. 6 seeding, but headed back up the turnpike after sweeping the third-seeded Wolverines 5-0 in the quarterfinals of the South Jersey Group 1 tennis tournament.
“It’s a little curious; they probably should’ve been a lower number,” Wolverines coach Jesse Stemberger said. “In a match like that you’ve got to play perfect and you’ve got to play perfectly in at least three positions to get that done and we didn’t do that. I think we left some points out there.
“They came out fast and once you find yourself down it’s tough. It’s tough to climb out of.”
The Bulldogs (11-1) clinched the match with wins at both doubles and No. 1 singles. The Wolverines (8-7) didn’t go quietly, though. Even though the match was decided, No. 3 singles Angelina Lindenmuth came from 6-5 down in the second set to win the set in a tiebreaker (7-2) before losing the 10-point match tiebreaker 10-0.
“I thought she did a nice job; I thought she battled,” Stemberger said. “The tiebreakers are obviously tough. The last three matches we played some pretty tough teams and sometimes you gotta look for a break and I knew I wasn’t going to get one today.”
The loss doesn’t end Woodstown’s season. They get right back at it Thursday in a TCC Diamond Division showdown with Schalick. The Wolverines hold a one-game lead on the Cougars in the standings and would go up by two games on everybody with two to play if they win.
“Where we are from where we started I think we’re improving and we’re doing well,” Stemberger said. “Just trying to get better every day.”
Top photo: Woodstown’s Madison LaPalomento returns a shot to Metuchen’s Chelsea Lu during their No. 1 singles match in the South Jersey Group 1 Quarterfinals Tuesday.
SJ Group 1 Quarterfinals
METUCHEN 5, WOODSTOWN 0
Chelsea Lu (M) def. Madison LaPalomento, 6-2, 6-2
Julia Armour (M) def. Emma West, 6-3, 6-1
Veronica Bazko (M) def. Angelina Lindenmuth, 6-2, 6-7 (2-7), 10-0
Sarah Gonzalz-Sofia Gonzalez (M) def. Emilee Kehr-Elliana Norman, 6-2, 6-2
Fatima Rizwan-Ameera Basha (M) def. Eleanore Lawson-Isabella Lindenmuth, 6-2, 6-0
Records: Metuchen 1101, Woodstown 8-7
Girls soccer
TUESDAY’S SCORES
Woodstown 3, Overbrook 0
Clayton 6, Pennsville 0
Salem Tech 4, Salem 2
Schalick 7, Penns Grove 0
WOODSTOWN – And the young ones led them on Senior Day.
Freshman Mariah Hyman had a goal and an assist, sophomores Hailey Kucharczuk and Genevieve Flynn each scored and the defense was impenetrable as Woodstown blanked Overbrook 3-0 before celebrating its four seniors. It was the seventh time this year the Wolverines (9-2-1) rendered an opponent scoreless.
Hyman assisted on Kucharczuk’s goal midway through the first half and scored her own with 14 minutes left in the match. Flynn scored on a long shot 10 minutes before halftime.
“We possessed super well in the first half,” Woodstown coach Kieran Keyser said. “Overbrook packed it in pretty good; they were blocking shots left and right. We got a ton of shots on goal, couldn’t convert. It took us 20 minutes to break in. Once we scored the first goal we kind of relaxed and settled in.
“It’s great to get a win on Senior Night. We have four seniors. Huge part of the program and sad to see them go, but happy to get a win on Senior Night.”
The Wolverines’ four seniors are Ally Sheppard, Delia Hahn, Sadie Moore and Reese Venable. They were recognized with posters behind the dugout and their jersey numbers stenciled along the sideline, and honored in ceremonies after the game.
“Our seniors played well,” Keyser said. “We don’t have a senior goal-scorer, not that we don’t have scorers who are seniors, but we have more underclassmen and both our senior starters are backs and one of them works in at the middie. We had to get the job done and the freshmen pulled through.”
SCHALICK 7, PENNS GROVE 0: Olivia Vanacker scored twice and Mackenzie Talarico had a goal and two assists to lead the Cougars (8-2). Giuliana Martin, Kassady Sickler, Karlie Bakley and Nicolette Bloomer each had one goal. The Cougars’ last seven wins have all been by shutout.
CLAYTON 6, PENNSVILLE 0: Nicole Lemon and Mikaela Sciubba both had hat tricks and the Clippers scored three goals in each half.
Boys soccer
TUESDAY’S SCORES
Clayton 4, Pennsville 2:
Schalick 6, Penns Grove 0
Woodstown 3, Overbrook 0
PITTSGROVE – Marco Spinnato continued his scoring assault on Salem County teams in general and Penns Grove in particular when he scored a pair of goals in Schalick’s 6-0 win over Penns Grove.
Spinnato, a junior, scored both of his goals in the first half. It was the second time this year he’s scored a pair against the Red Devils. Of his 18 career goals, 11 have come against Salem County opponents, nine in five games against Penns Grove.
Tim Koering also scored twice. Tyler Vanlier and Ryan Loper each scored once.
WOODSTOWN 3, OVERBROOK 0: Ayden Ellis scored twice and Landon Gugliemo once and the Wolverines’ defense kept the Rams off keeper Lee Coombs to snap a three-game losing streak, their longest since 2022.
Power play
Holmes’ big shot helps Woodstown beat Schalick for second time this season; Salem Tech just about seals up division title
TUESDAY FIELD HOCKEY
Pennsville 3, Salem 0
Salem Tech 3, Gloucester Catholic 1
Woodstown 3, Schalick 1
By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News
WOODSTOWN – Lux Holmes couldn’t say she was surprised by the first question in her post-game interview. Woodstown had just scored a huge TCC Diamond Division win over archrival Schalick 3-1 with Holmes scoring the final goal, but instead asking about the impact of the game the inquisitor wanted to know the impact she had on the ball.
How hard do you hit that field hockey slap shot?
Holmes hit a rocket from the top of the circle with 10:33 left in the third quarter that would make Alex Ovechkin feel proud. The ball made a loud bang in the back of the cage after it whizzed past Schalick goalie Jayonna Johnson’s left shoulder in a blur.
“It’s probably like 90 percent of the things they say about hockey; it’s always about my hits,” the junior back said. “It’s pretty much everything they bring up. They usually ask how I do it and if I can pass it down. Usually they wonder how I do it and I couldn’t tell you.”
They can’t argue with the results.
Counting the one she got Tuesday, Holmes has scored four goals in her high school career and they’ve all come off big hits, usually with somebody getting it to her off a corner. “I’ve never been one of the ones to tap it in,” she said.
She’s never had her shot measured and Wolverines coach Gloria Byard never thought to do it. “That’s a good idea, though; I think I should figure it out,” Holmes said. Suffice to say you don’t want to stand in front of it without goalie pads, and even then it doesn’t tickle.
“I’ve always said when we do corners I want the ball to go to Lux,” Byard said. “Lux, Brooke (Dillon) too at times, Shyann (Higinbotham), because they’re very difficult to see. With a hit like that, I have no guess as to miles per hour or anything, but it’s very strong very powerful, very accurate.
“But they’ve gotta feel they can do it. It’s hard to convince kids today you’re in control. At times they panic, I wouldn’t ask you take the shot or do what I’m asking you to do if I didn’t have trust in you or think you can do it. They want to do a lot of these fancy plays. Get a shot off. I’m old school – get the ball to the top of the circle, get a shot off, and I think that happened twice for us.”
There was a lot on the line in the game. Schalick was riding a seven-game winning streak after a balky start and one game behind the Wolverines in the loss column in the division standings. Woodstown was looking to snap a two-game losing streak and complete a season sweep of their rival, getting a bit of payback after the Cougars beat them twice the year before. The teams started the day 6-7 in the South Jersey Group 1 power points standings.
“We just wanted to pay them back from last year; they beat us twice last year,” Byard said. “I know they lost a few key players, so did we, but it was a little rivalry thing here and paybacks. I told them they beat us twice last year, so let’s return the favor.”
The Wolverines scored twice in the first quarter and never looked back. Talia Guardascione scored five minutes into the game and Joey Foote scored off a corner as time was expiring. Paisley Warner got Schalick within 2-1 when she made a spin move in front of an open net and scored 2:46 before halftime.
SALEM TECH 3, GLOUCESTER CATHOLIC 1: The Chargers all but locked up their first TCC Classic Division title in their first year eligible. Their seventh straight win left them 6-0 in the division, two games ahead of each Pennsville and the Rams and they handed those teams both their division losses.
“I didn’t think it was going to be a long time (before they won a division title), but I didn’t think it was going to be as short as the time was,” junior forward Gina LaRosa said Monday. “I think we really came together as a team and made it happen.”
Getting out fast has been a key element for the Chargers (8-2) during their seven-game winning streak, but it was the Rams (2-4) who struck quickly in this one as Alana Bellan found the back of the goal 20 seconds into the game.
Abby Beals got the equalizer and Hayden Crispin made it 2-1 before the first quarter ended. Araya DiGregorio scored the final goal in the third quarter.
PENNSVILLE 3, SALEM 0: Laura Tamberella, Toni Tobin and Polina Wright all scored goals as the Eagles (3-7) snapped a six-game losing streak. Kendall Hoyt had two assists.
Top photo: Schalick’s Genevieve Smith (R) tries to turn the ball away from Woodstown’s Margaux Lipovsky during Tuesday’s field hockey game.
Charging ahead
Salem Tech field hockey on cusp of winning a division title in only second year of existence
MONDAY’S SCORES
FIELD HOCKEY
Salem Tech 6, Pennsville 1
BOYS SOCCER
Salem at Gloucester Catholic
GIRLS SOCCER
Gloucester Catholic at Salem
Pennsville 6, Penns Grove 0
GIRLS TENNIS
Moorestown Friends 5, Woodstown 0
Cumberland 4, Salem 1
Vineland 5, Schalick 0
VOLLEYBALL
Triton 2, Salem Tech 0 (25-14, 25-16)
COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL
Cecil 3, Salem CC 0 (25-8, 25-3, 25-80
By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News
WOODSTOWN – When Salem Tech decided to start a field hockey program last year, the Chargers didn’t think it would take them long to be a competitive program. For that matter, they didn’t think it would take them long to win a division championship, either.
The Chargers proved they were competitive last year, winning nine games against a soft-ish regular season schedule designed to get their feet wet as a Group 2 independent. Now, they are on the cusp of winning their first division title in their first year eligible.
The Chargers moved a step closer to raising a banner Monday with a wind-swept 6-1 win over Pennsville. They can clinch no worse than a tie for the TCC Classic Division crown if they beat Gloucester Catholic Tuesday. A win in that game would leave them undefeated in the division with two winnable games remaining. The two teams chasing them would each have two division losses and the Chargers would have given both of the them both of them.
The nine games they won last year were as many as Classic co-champs Pennsville and Gloucester Catholic won overall, and they had a better won-loss record. They weren’t included in the division mix because they had come on board in the middle of a scheduling cycle.
“I think we were really competitive from the get-go because we were just really competitive girls coming into this and everyone wanted it,” junior forward Gina LaRosa said. “Everyone worked really hard and it became a vision.”
“I didn’t think it would take very long,” sophomore forward Hazel Eachus added. “We have a very skillful group of girls and we all work together very well.”
The Chargers (7-2, 5-0) took control of this one early. Eachus scored the first of her two first-quarter goals less than two minutes into the game. LaRosa scored two goals in the fourth quarter. In between, Hayden Crispin and Jessilyn Chambers found the back of the net.
To show their dominance in the game, the Chargers sent 20 shots in on Pennsville goalie Avery Manguez and had 16 corners. The win extended their school-record streak to six games.
“I think they played well,” Tech coach Maureen Lewis said. “They’ve been going out strong and I think that’s the key for our team.”
The Eagles had maybe three attacks in Salem Tech’s end. They scored their goal with five seconds left in the game when Laura Tamberella collected a loose ball at the top of the circle and broke in on Chargers keeper Caroline Tighe.
Top photo: Salem Tech’s Gina LaRosa shoots through traffic to score her first goal in the fourth quarter against Pennsville.
| Pennsville (2-7) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1- | 1 |
| Salem Tech (7-2) | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2- | 6 |
GOALS: Hazel Eachus (ST) 2, Gina LaRosa (ST) 2, Hayden Crispin (ST), Jessilyn Chambers (ST), Laura Tamberella (P).
GIRLS TENNIS
VINELAND 5, SCHALICK 0
Kaitlyn Jones (V) def. Olivia Lunemann, 6-1, 6-0
Angelina Apel (V) def. Sebrina Bradford, 6-1, 6-4
Cassidy Keller (V) def. Jasmine Hunt, 6-4, 6-1
Liliana Beni-Alla Kobys (V) def. River Wojcik-Janae White, 6-2, 6-2
Ivy Eldridge-Lily Carr (V) def. Brooke Brown-Abigail Sotela Hernandez, 6-3, 6-4
Records: Vineland 5-7, Schalick 8-6
MOORESTOWN FRIENDS 5, WOODSTOWN 0
Erika Capella (MF) def. Madison LaPalomento, 6-1, 6-2
Kari Rotter (MF) def. Emma West, 6-1, 6-4
Bryn Fullerton (MF) def. Angelina Lindenmuth, 6-1, 6-2
Peyton Zauber-Diem Still (MF) def. Elliana Norman-Emilee Kehr, 6-0, 6-3
Emmie Huynh-Anika Vasisth (MF) def. Isabella Lindenmuth-Eleanore Lawson, 6-2, 6-3
Records: Moorestown Friends 10-2, Woodstown 8-6
CUMBERLAND 4, SALEM 1
Heaven Jones-McCullough (S) def. Emma Kelly, 7-6 (7-5), def.
Hannah Gray (CR) def. JaNye Hubbard, 6-0, 6-2
Mollie Willis (CR) def. Eric Brewer, 6-0, 6-0
Gabryella Keener-Madison (CR) def. Aleena Allen-Aniya Lyles-Clark, 6-0, 6-0
Dalila McDowell-Kami Anderson (CR) won by forfeitRecords: Cumberland 9-4, Salem 0-8.
