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.

**Woodstown field hockey coach Gloria Byard gives a little advice to senior Talia Guardascione during Tuesday’s game against Schalick.**

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.

Standings

Here are the WJFL Diamond/Independence and TCC Diamond/Classic division standings through Oct. 3

WJFL Football

DIAMOND	ALL	DIV	INDEPENDENCE	ALL	DIV
Schalick	6-0	3-0	Woodstown	3-3	3-0
Paulsboro	4-2	1-`	Penns Grove	4-1	2-0
Overbrook	2-4	2-1	Clayton	4-1	1-1
Burlington City	2-4	1-2	Woodbury	2-4	1-2
Salem	3-3	1-2	Pitman	2-3	0-2
Pennsville	3-3	0-3	Buena	2-4	0-3

TCC Boys Soccer

CLASSIC	ALL	DIV	DIAMOND	ALL	DIV
Clayton	5-5	4-0	Schalick	6-2	5-0
Pennsville	3-5	2-1	Overbrook	5-4	3-2
Salem Tech	6-4	2-2	Penns Grove	6-2-1	2-2-1
Salem	0-5	0-2	Woodstown	5-5-1	2-3
Glou Cath	0-8	0-3	Glassboro	4-4-1	1-3-1
			Pitman	3-6-1	1-4

TCC Girls Soccer

CLASSIC	ALL	DIV	DIAMOND	ALL	DIV
Pitman	5-4	5-0	Schalick	7-2	4-0
Glou Cath	4-3	3-1	Woodstown	8-2-1	3-1
Pennsville	5-4	3-2	Overbrook	4-5	2-2
Clayton	5-4	2-3	Penns Grove	2-5	0-3
Salem Tech	1-6	1-4	Glassboro	0-8	0-3
Salem	0-8	0-4

TCC Field Hockey

CLASSIC	ALL	DIV	DIAMOND	ALL	DIV
Salem Tech	6-2	4-0	Woodstown	6-3	4-0
Pennsville	2-6	2-1	Schalick	7-2	2-1
Glou Cath	2-3	1-1	Overbrook	5-3	2-1
Salem	1-8	1-3	Glass/Pit	2-4	1-3
Clayton	0-4	0-3	Deptford	4-7	0-4

TCC Girls Tennis

CLASSIC	ALL	DIV	DIAMOND	ALL	DIV
Pitman	11-4	4-0	Woodstown	8-5	5-0
Pennsville	9-4	2-2	Schalick	8-5	4-1
Glassboro	6-5	2-2	Timber Cr	4-6	2-2
Glou Cath	0-0	0-0	Overbrook	2-7	1-4
Salem	0-7	0-5	Penns Grove	0-8	0-5

This week’s schedule

Here is this week’s Salem County sports calendar for the week of Oct. 5-10

MONDAY, OCT. 5
BOYS SOCCER
Salem at Gloucester Catholic
GIRLS SOCCER
Gloucester Catholic at Salem
Penns Grove at Pennsville, 6 p.m.
FIELD HOCKEY
Pennsville at Salem Tech
GIRLS TENNIS
Woodstown at Moorestown Friends, 3:45 p.m.
Salem at Cumberland
Schalick at Vineland
VOLLEYBALL
Salem Tech at Triton, 5:15 p.m.
COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL
Salem CC at Cecil, 6 p.m.
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Bucks County at Salem CC, 3:30 p.m.

TUESDAY, OCT. 6
FIELD HOCKEY
Pennsville at Salem
Schalick at Woodstown
Gloucester Catholic at Salem Tech, 4:15 p.m.
BOYS SOCCER
Clayton at Pennsville
Penns Grove at Schalick
Woodstown at Overbrook
GIRLS SOCCER
Overbrook at Woodstown
Pennsville at Clayton
Salem at Salem Tech
Schalick at Penns Grove
GIRLS TENNIS
Regular season
Salem at Triton
SJ Group 1 Quarterfinals
Roselle Park at Pitman
Gateway at Haddon Twp.
Metuchen at Woodstown
Woodbridge Magnet at New Providence

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 7
BOYS SOCCER
Camden Academy Charter at Salem
VOLLEYBALL
Salem Tech at Highland, 5:15 p.m.
CROSS COUNTRY
Salem County Championship, Salem Tech, 3:45 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
West Deptford at Schalick
COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL
RCSJ-Gloucester at Salem CC, 7 p.m.

THURSDAY, OCT. 8
WJFL FOOTBALL
Robbinsville at Bordentown, 6 p.m.
Mainland at Millville, 6 p.m.
FIELD HOCKEY
Burlington City at Salem Tech
Deptford at Woodstown
Pennsville at Clayton
Salem at Gloucester Catholic
Schalick at Haddon Heights
BOYS SOCCER
Clayton at Salem Tech
Glassboro at Woodstown
Pennsville at Gloucester Catholic
Pitman at Penns Grove
Schalick at Overbrook, 4:15 p.m.
GIRLS SOCCER
Gloucester Catholic at Pennsville
Overbrook at Schalick
Salem at Pitman
Salem Tech at Clayton
Woodstown at Glassboro
GIRLS TENNIS
Regular season
Penns Grove at Timber Creek
Woodstown at Schalick
SJ Group 1 Semifinals
(at higher seed)
Roselle Park-Pitman winner vs. Gateway-Haddon Twp. winner
Metuchen-Woodstown winner vs. Woodbridge Magnet-New Providence winner
VOLLEYBALL
LEAP at Salem Tech, 5:30 p.m.

FRIDAY, OCT. 9
WJFL FOOTBALL
Overbrook at Woodstown, 6 p.m.
Pennsville at St. Joseph (Hamm.), 6:30 p.m.
Salem at Clayton, 6 p.m.
Penns Grove at Schalick, 6 p.m.
Pitman at KIPP, 6 p.m.
Lindenwold at Buena, 6 p.m.
Woodbury at Collingswood, 6 p.m.
Burlington City at Riverside, 5:30 p.m.
Paulsboro at Haddonfield
Cherry Hill East vs. Cherry Hill West, 6 p.m.
Ewing at Delran, 6 p.m.
Washington Twp. at Cherokee, 6 p.m.
Pleasantville at Lower Cape May, 6 p.m.
Eastern at Rancocas Valley, 6 p.m.
Triton at Highland, 6 p.m.
Allentown at Sterling, 6 p.m.
Gateway at Deptford, 6 p.m.
Mastern Camden at Wildwood, 6 p.m.
Vineland at Oakcrest, 6 p.m.
Lenape at Trenton, 6 p.m.
Camden Eastside at Cedar Creek, 6 p.m.
Seneca at Hammonton, 6 p.m.
Kingsway at Camden, 6 p.m.
Steinert at Hopewell Valley, 6 p.m.
Maple Shade at Palmyra, 6 p.m.
St. Augustine at Shawnee, 6 p.m.
Northern Burlington at Notre Dame, 6 p.m.
Middle Twp. at Ocean City, 6 p.m.
Nottingham at Timber Creek, 6 p.m.
Cumberland at Egg Harbor, 6 p.m.
Lawrence at Hightstown, 6 p.m.
Bishop Eustace at Holy Cross, 7 p.m.
Williamstown at Delsea, 7 p.m.
Moorestown at Clearview, 7 p.m.
FIELD HOCKEY
Salem at Absegami
Salem Tech at Maple Shade
BOYS SOCCER
NJTAC Tournament
Salem Tech at Penn Tech, 3:45 p.m.

SATURDAY, OCT. 10
WJFL FOOTBALL
Haddonfield at Paulsboro, 11 a.m.
Princeton at Hamilton West, 11 a.m.
Gloucester at Haddon Heights, 11:30 a.m.
Absegami at Pemberton noon
Cinnaminson at Willingboro, noon
Florence at Gloucester Catholic, 1 p.m.
Bridgeton at Pennsauken, 1 p.m.
Glassboro at Burlington Twp., 1:30 p.m.
West Deptford at West. Nassau (Fla.), 6 p.m.
GIRLS SOCCER
Mainland at Schalick, 10 a.m.
FIELD HOCKEY
Pennsville at Nottingham, 11 a.m.
CROSS COUNTRY
South Jersey Open, Dream Park, 10 a.m.
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Salem CC Jamboree, 10 a.m.
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Salem CC at Felician

WJFL Scoreboard

Here are the scores from the West Jersey Football League schedule for the week of Oct. 1-3

SATURDAY, OCT. 3
Salem 40, Woodstown 7
Paulsboro 50, Woodbury 24
Pitman 48, Gloucester Catholic 8
Mastern Camden at Audubon
Bridgeton 35, Atlantic Tech 0
Pennsauken 17, Trenton 8
Ewing 44, Cherry Hill West 27
Pemberton at Hamilton West
Steinert 15, Hammonton 14
Winslow at Red Bank Catholic
Ocean City 26, Oakcrest 18
Lower Cape May 40, Middle Twp. 8

FRIDAY, OCT. 2
Pennsville 14, Penns Grove 12
Buena 28, Wildwood 14
West Deptford 59, Overbrook 8
Clayton 40, Gateway 0
WW-Plainsboro at Lindenwold
Paul VI 35, Eastern 7
KIPP at Lawrence
Holy Cross 14, Florence 6
Seneca 27, Hopewell Valley 13
Nottingham at Delran
Williamstown 15, Kingsway 14
Delsea 41, Triton 27
Notre Dame 20, Allentown 8
Shawnee 24, Lenape 23
Timber Creek 43, Absegami 0
Rancocas Valley 21, Millville 20
Maple Shade at Sterling
Lower Cape May at Middle Twp.
St. Augustine 49, Burlington Twp. 0
Atlantic City 49, Mainland 13
Holy Spirit 27, Pleasantville 22
Glassboro 43, Willingboro 19
Cedar Creek 20, Cherokee 14
Bordentown 58, Hightstown 20
Cinnaminson 20, Camden Catholic 0
Gloucester 42, Riverside 7
Bishop Eustace 34, Haddon Twp. 0
Moorestown 20, Robbinsville 14

THURSDAY, OCT. 1
Schalick 41, Cumberland 15
Northern Burlington 31, Princeton 7
Clearview 14, Highland 6
Deptford 34, Collingswood 0
Burlington City 44, Palmyra 12
Oakcrest at Ocean City
Washington Twp. 42, Cherry Hill East 13
St. Joe (Hamm.) 35, Egg Harbor 14
Permian (Tex.) 28, Camden 13

Blue Storm brewing

Salem’s defense never rests against Woodstown, combining with Thomas’ efficiency for a 40-7 win over Woodstown

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

SALEM – The bad weather cleared out right before the start of the game, but luckily for the Salem football team the Blue Storm stayed around.

Rams head coach Kemp Carr put the moniker on his defense before the season started and the unit lived up to the name Saturday. They were aggressive, they were fast and they were physical. And with an offense equally impressive in the hands of Desmund Thomas, it added up to a 40-7 homecoming win over Woodstown.

The defense established its presence right from the start. On the first defensive play of the game, the Rams threw Cole Ware for a five-yard loss on a screen pass and knocked him out of the game. On the next play, Tony Merendino broke into the backfield and dropped TyRell West for a three-yard loss. Six of Woodstown’s first eight plays and seven of their first 10 were negative impact plays. The Wolverines had only six yards net rushing in the first half and 17 in the game.

“That’s what we want to be; we want to be a storm,” Carr said. “When a storm comes, people run for shelter. That storm can be many different storms. Storms come in many different volumes. It comes with violence, sometimes it comes with a lot of noise, and we want to be that.

“There are a lot of facets around that. We’ve got three things we want to do every week. We want to be disciplined, we want to communicate and we want to be violent. I think we answered all three of those bells.”

Merendino, a transfer from Woodstown, really showed out against his former team with 2.5 sacks, several other tackles for loss and a fumble recovery that led to the Rams’ fourth touchdown. Carr called it “the strongest game he’s played” with the Rams.

“This one felt extremely important to me because throughout my entire career I was always doubted upon and I took advantage of every opportunity on the field,” the edge rusher said. “I was extremely aggressive because I did understand their offense a lot more, but at the end of the day if he’s not wearing a blue, gray, white jersey or he’s not a Ram, that’s a target.

“We were all excited today. We all wanted this win. I believe we were all hungry for this. I believe this defense could really do something big and special. I believe this could be a state championship defense; we’ve just got to work on our Ps and Qs. That name, It fits the program. As a unit, as an entire team, we come, we conquer, and I believe that this team can go far with that motto.”

**Salem’s Tony Merendino (50) comes out of the pile with the football after his fumble recovery in the second quarter Saturday. (Photo by Zachary Ahl)**

The defense playing as well as it did made it a lot more comfortable for Thomas and the Rams’ offense to function; more pressure by their defense, less pressure on their offense. The Rams scored on six of their first seven possessions in the game, and the only one they missed was an interception in the end zone from inside the 30. They scored on all six of their meaningful possession in Thomas’ season debut last week against Overbrook.

“They’re a different team with him at quarterback,” Woodstown coach Frank Trautz said. “He makes them a much more dangerous offense.”

Thomas completed 14 pf 18 passes for 144 yards to seven different receivers against the Wolverines and had five carries for 41 yards. He threw for two touchdowns – to Ahmad Tucker and Kyvion Parsons — and ran for two more – all in the first half. The pass to Tucker he threw sidearm. In his two games back, he is 21-of-25 passing for 285 and four touchdowns for a passer efficiency rating of 224.56.

Carr continues to say the senior is one of the top five quarterbacks in South Jersey. He cites maturity as the key to Thomas’ increased efficiency over a year ago.

“I’m just trying to do better every game,” Thomas said. “I feel like I got better this game.”

**Salem’s Kamal Chatum (2) hauls down Woodstown quarterback Mason Middlemiss. (Photo by Zachary Ahl)**

The Salem defense was so aggressive they left the Wolverines in a condition similar to the Thanksgiving Day Classic/Rivalry Week trophy the Rams retained for winning the game.

Four significant Woodstown players were knocked out of the game. Ware went out with an ankle injury on that first screen pass, seriously crimped the Wolverines’ offense the rest of the day. It got even bleaker when quarterback Mason Middlemiss (ankle) and center Rex Hannah (head) went out on the same play later in the first quarter. And Asher Fitzpatrick (shoulder) joined them later.

Cole and Middlemiss both went for X-rays after the game. The images were negative, indicating sprained ankles for both. The status of the four going forward will be better determined early next week. The Wolverines host Overbrook Friday.

The Wolverines went through a similar rash of injuries last year that was so severe as many as nine starters were on the sideline at the same time.

“It’s tough when we got, again, guys in key positions go down who we rely on very much,” Wolverines coach Frank Trautz said. “We lose Cole Ware on the first play of the game. It’s tough.

“I was proud of the way the kids came back out at halftime. They battled. They stuck together. This team, we’re learning to stick together. We’re learning to win. And we’re learning to try to get to where we want to go. We’re not going to be the same team in November.”

Noah Chiu replaced Middlemiss at quarterback and directed the Wolverines to their lone touchdown, a 35-yard pass to Andrew White with 4:19 left on a running third quarter clock that capped the opening drive of the second half. Chiu was 3-for-4 on the touchdown drive and finished the game 5-of-8 for 62 yards.

WOOD (7)		SAL (40)
7	1st Downs	13
23-17	Rushing	23-224
8-14-1	Passes	14-18-1
130	Passing	144
3-1	Fum-Lost	0-0
3-26.3	Punts-Avg	0-0
10-65	Penalties	7-80

Woodstown (3-3)	0	0	7	0-	7
Salem (3-3)	12	22	0	8-	40

SCORING SUMMARY
S-Desmund Thomas 11 run (pass failed), 10:18 1Q
S-Ahmad Tucker 19 pass from Desmund Thomas (run failed), 6:55 1Q
S-Izaiah Santiago 9 run (Myshon Barnes pass from Desmund Thomas), 10:32 2Q
S-Kyvion Parsons 7 pass from Desmund Thomas (Adrian Alleyne run), 6:21 2Q
S-Desmund Thomas 14 run (pass failed), 0:33 2Q
WO-Andrew White 35 pass from Noah Chiu (Jack Bucksar kick), 4:19 3Q
S-Adrian Alleyne 3 run (run failed), 8:33 4Q

**The Salem football team celebrates with the trophy that goes with the rivalry after beating Woodstown for the second year in a row. (Photo by Zachary Ahl)**

Friday results

Here are scores from Friday’s Salem County sports calendar

BOYS SOCCER
Gloucester 4, Salem 0
Salem Tech 3, Buena 0
Highland 3, Woodstown 0
GIRLS SOCCER
Buena at Salem Tech
Cherry Hill East 2, Schalick 0
Woodstown 2, Cumberland 1
FIELD HOCKEY
Delran 3, Woodstown 1
Schalick at Rancocas Valley
GIRLS TENNIS
Mainland 5, Schalick 0
Kingsway 4, Woodstown 1

Charging to the top

Salem Tech field hockey routs Pennsville, takes upper hand in TCC Classic; includes scores and highlights from Thursday’s Salem County sports calendar

THURSDAY’S SCORES
FIELD HOCKEY
Salem Tech 10, Pennsville 0
BOYS SOCCER
Schalick 1, Clearview 0
GIRLS SOCCER
Salem at Pennsville
GIRLS TENNIS
SJ Group 1 Tournament
Pitman 4, Bernards 1
Roselle Park at Middlesex
Gateway 5, South River 0
Haddon Twp. 4, Schalick 1
Woodstown 3, Lower Cape May 2
Metuchen 5, Edison Magnet 0
Woodbridge Magnet 5, Pennsville 0
New Providence 3, Shore 2
COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL
Chesapeake 3, Salem CC 0

By Riverview Sports News

PENNSVILLE – Abigail Beals, Hazel Eachus and Adessa Plum scored two goals apiece and the two-year-old Salem Tech field hockey program took the upper hand in the Tri-County Classic Division with a school-record 10-0 rout of Pennsville Thursday.

The Chargers (6-2, 4-0) are the last remaining undefeated team in Classic Division play. They hold a 1½ game lead over Pennsville in the standings. Last year, in their inaugural season, they played as a TCC independent while they awaited the new scheduling cycle.

Jessilyn Chambers, Hayden Crispin, Avery Dalton and Gina LaRosa scored their other goals. Crispin was credited with three assists.

The Chargers have won their last three games by scores of 10-0, 9-0 and 6-0. They have now won five in a row, matching their longest winning streak in program history.

The teams play again Monday.

BOYS SOCCER
SCHALICK 1, CLEARVIEW 0: Nolan O’Toole converted a penalty kick in the 81st minute for the game’s only goal and Nick Latona made eight saves in his fourth shutout of the season. According to reports, Marco Spinnato was sent in on net and taken down from behind in the box to set up the PK. The Cougars (6-2) have won four in a row, outscoring their opponents 13-1.

GIRLS TENNIS
WOODSTOWN 3, LOWER CAPE MAY 2
Mia Gilbert (L) def. Madison LaPalomento, 6-1, 6-1
Emma West (WO) def. Casey Fitzpatrick, 6-3, 6-3
Angelina Lindenmuth (WO) def. Reilly Fitzpatrick, 6-2, 6-4
Emilee Kehr-Elliana Norman (WO) def. Mia Teng-Gia Guzzi, 4-6, 6-2, 10-3
Aubrey Gamble-Kaleigh Griser (L) def. Isabella Lindenmuth-Eleanore Lawson, 6-2, 6-4
Records: Woodstown 8-4, Lower Cape May 8-5.

HADDON TWP. 4, SCHALICK 1
Leighton Thoder (HT) def. Olivia Lunemann, 6-2, 6-4
Olivia Fleming (HT) def. Sebrina Bradford, 2-6, 6-4, 10-6
Jasmine Hunt (S) def. Hadleigh Holcomb, 7-5, 7-5
Riley Kennedy-Sujin Marchese (HT) def. River Wojcik-Janae White, 6-1, 6-1
Ariana Turkot-Julianne McGary (HT) def. Brooke Brown-Abigail Sotela Hernandez, 6-2, 6-4
Records: Haddon Twp. 10-5, Schalick 8-4

WOODBRIDGE MAGNET 5, PENNSVILLE 0
Chelsea Zhang (WM) def. Graillyn Weber, 6-1, 6-0
Kasshvi Garge (WM) def. Naomi Hess, 6-3, 6-0
Mahi Patel (WM) def. Jaisley Weber, 6-1, 6-2
Anugraha Nithyaprakash-Nehal Ambulkar (WM) def. Aubrey Hall-Juliana Thomas, 6-3, 6-3
Vinthua Vemuri-Deveshi Bhardwaj (WM) def. Yasary Clemente Brito-Mariangela Rangel, 6-0, 6-2
Records: Woodbridge Magnet 7-4, Pennsville 9-4.

SJ Group 1 Quarterfinals
Tuesday’s Matches
Roselle Park-Middlesex winner at Pitman
Gateway at Haddon Twp.
Metuchen at Woodstown
Woodbridge Magnet at New Providence

It’s trophy time

All five teams in Salem County will be playing for special trophies this week; includes Salem County football leaders through games of Sept. 28

THIS WEEK’S GAMES
Tonight: Schalick at Cumberland, 6 p.m.
Friday: Penns Grove at Pennsville, 7 p.m.
Saturday: Woodstown at Salem, noon

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

It’s Trophy Week in Salem County.

There’s a rivalry game of some kind somewhere every week, and all three games involving teams from Salem County are this week.

Tonight, Schalick, the No. 1 team in the South Jersey Group 1 power points standings, travels the six miles up Centerton Road to take on Cumberland for the Hars-Lake Trophy. Surprising Penns Grove plays at Pennsville Friday for the Wildman Willey Boot. And Saturday, surging Salem hosts Woodstown for the Rivalry Week Trophy that used to be the Thanksgiving Day Classic.

**The Woodstown-Salem Thanksgiving Day Classic trophy, now called the Rivalry Week trophy.**

“I think it means more to the kids from the simple fact you get to engrave your name on something and say you won something that particular year,” said Salem coach Kemp Carr, who has coached for and held high both The Boot and the Rivalry Week trophies in his career. “Anytime you get an opportunity to play for something no matter what it is you want to play your hardest and your best.”

The Salem-Woodstown series began in 1911 and has been played continuously since 1924; Salem leads it 64-40-10. Since they don’t play it on Thanksgiving Day anymore it has been decreed to be the home team’s homecoming game every year, and since they’re not in the same WJFL division at this time they’ve been designated opponents. Salem wrestled the trophy back last year – and had it hand delivered to the school — after it had been in Woodstown’s hands since 2021.

The trophy they’re playing for in Pennsville is named in honor of Norm “Wildman” Willey, the three-time Philadelphia Eagles All-Pro defensive lineman of the ’50s who taught PE and drivers ed at Pennsville for 30 years. He still holds the NFL record for sacks in a game – 17 against the New York Giants – at a time before sacks were an officially recognized league stat. He passed away in 2011.

It’s called The Boot because one of Willey’s football cleats is part of the trophy.

Penns Grove leads the series 37-29-4 and is 11-6 since 2010, but Pennsville has won the last two in a row.

“It’s always one of the most anticipated games of the season, especially when it’s our homecoming,” Eagles coach Mike Healy said. “The school and the community get really into this game and can’t wait for Friday night.”

The Schalick-Cumberland series began in 1977 with the first varsity football games in both schools’ history and then broke until 2002 when the Colts joined the Tri-County Conference when the Hars-Lake Memorial Trophy was established. It is named in the memories of longtime Cumberland coach Tom Lake, who oversaw the most successful stretch in Colts history, and former Schalick history teacher Mike Hars, who served as an assistant coach at both schools. Each team names an MVP when it’s over.

Schalick leads the series 16-9, but Cumberland won last year and will be looking to win back-to-back for the first time since 2008. Adding to the intrigue is the fact it will be played for the first time on a Thursday night.

They don’t call this one “The Neighborhood Game” for nothing. The players know each other, they’ve played with and against each other for years. The coaches and administrators overlap. Current Schalick athletics director Doug Volovar’s last game as Cumberland’s head football coach was in this game in 2002.

The Gloucester City game might be the Cougars’ longest-standing football rivalry, but this one is personal.

“It definitely has that kind of taste to it,” former Schalick head coach Mike Wilson said back in 2023. “I’ve been on staffs where the people in town only care about one game; this game has that same type of level. Whether both teams are 7-0, 0-7 or whatever it doesn’t matter.

“This one checks all the boxes. It used to be Schalick and Cumberland’s Super Bowl when Thanksgiving kind of ended your season. I still think it’s a mid-year Super Bowl. It’s a big deal. These kids are going to come out ready to play and you’re going to see the best effort on both sides.”

**Pennsville players raise The Boot last year after retaining the trophy in the series with Penns Grove. Top photo: The Wildman Willey Boot and the Hars-Lake Trophy.**

Salem County leaders

Rushing

PLAYER	CAR.	YARDS	TD
Kenny Bartee, Schalick	65	632	9
Jaivon Thomas, Penns Grove	44	614	9
Cole Ware, Woodstown	64	431	2
Cashmir Parsley, Salem	58	411	4
Terrell Thomas, Penns Grove	46	357	8
David Stewart, Schalick	35	289	4
Ayden Jenkins, Schalick	44	229	1
Aidan Collazo, Pennsville	18	181	2
Mason Middlemiss, Woodstown	29	160	5
Tristan Horner, Pennsville	37	142	4
TyRell West, Woodstown	20	86	3
Kyvion Parsons, Salem	14	81	2
Adrian Alleyne, Salem	11	81	0
Savior Allah, Penns Grove	6	79	1
Zavier Reeder, Penns Grove	4	71	0
Desmund Thomas, Salem	9	63	1
Freddie Allen, Schalick	12	60	1
Isiah Santiago, Salem	18	59	0
DezYon Purnell, Schalick	8	49	0

Passing

PLAYER	C-A-I	YARDS	TD
Jake Layfield, Pennsville	100-158-4	1156	10
Desmund Thomas, Salem	7-7-0	141	2
Mason Middlemiss, Woodstown	15-26-3	274	4
Kenny Bartee, Schalick	6-21-0	125	1
Owen McDonald, Salem	10-22-2	105	1
Damien Robinson, Penns Grove	13-17-0	105	2
Gabriel McFarland, Schalick	3-4-0	49	1
Kyvion Parsons, Salem	3-11-2	41	1

Receiving

PLAYER	NO.	YARDS	TD
Chase Johnson, Pennsville	38	539	5
Lucas Thomas, Pennsville	16	138	2
Aidan Collazo, Pennsville	11	144	0
Jacob Kimani, Pennsville	10	126	1
Tristan Horner, Pennsville	10	126	1
Danny Knight, Pennsville	8	118	0
Jerry Wooton, Penns Grove	7	128	2
KaiSiere Muhammad, Salem	6	98	0
Andrew White, Woodstown	5	157	4
Ahmad Tucker, Salem	4	51	1
Cole Ware, Woodstown	4	35	0
Quemere Bergen, Salem	3	59	2
Gio Alicea, Schalick	3	56	1
Nehemiah Carter, Woodstown	3	53	0
Isiah Santiago, Salem	3	29	0
Savior Allah, Penns Grove	3	25	0
Dante Cummings, Pennsville	3	13	1
Noah Chiu, Woodstown	2	31	0
Omari Robinson, Penns Grove	2	26	1
Evan Elliott, Schalick	2	10	1

Defense

SACKS — 6.5: JaKai Ingram, Penns Grove; Omari Robinson, Penns Grove; 6: Omari Robinson, Penns Grove; 5.5: Myshion Barnes, Salem; 4.5: Tony Merendino, Salem; 4: Mahkye Murray, Salem; Bradley Snitcher, Woodstown; 3: Evan Elliott, Schalick; Nick Lopergolo, Schalick; 2.5: Rex Hannah, Woodstown; 2: Kamal Chatum, Salem; Xavier Csaszar, Woodstown; Dillon Garrity, Woodstown; Maliq Reddick, Penns Grove; Terrell Thomas, Penns Grove; Jerry Wooton, Penns Grove

INTERCEPTIONS — 4: Jacob Kimani, Pennsville; 3: Grady Sanders, Pennsville; David Stewart, Schalick; 2: Gio Alicea, Schalick; Jaivon Thomas, Penns Grove; Danny Knight, Pennsville

Team Leaders

TEAM	RUSH	C-A-I	PASS	PF	PA
PENNS GROVE (4-0)	1243	14-19-0	170	157	38
PENNSVILLE (2-3)	288	100-158-4	1156	117	85
SALEM (2-3)	750	20-40-4	287	98	98
SCHALICK (5-0)	1126	12-30-0	208	163	34
WOODSTOWN (3-2)	721	15-26-3	274	104	91