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Schools

Bridgewater Wins 7th Straight Sectional Title

Piersanti makes seven saves as Panthers shut out Montclair.

Goalie Christen Piersanti made seven saves as the field hockey team shut out visiting Montclair High School Monday to capture the North Jersey Section 1, Group 4 sectional championship for the seventh straight year.

 

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Montclair (11-7-4)

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Bridgewater-Raritan (20-3)

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IN SHORT

The Panthers' offense took advantage of 20 corners, as four different Panthers were able to score as a result of penalty corners.

Emily Howarth opened the scoring for the Panthers after a series of corners. The goal was the only tally of the first half, as both defenses limited the offensive chances.

“Montclair did a good job stepping into the passing lanes and their defense was able to get back quickly so we couldn’t get our free hits off quickly and trap them,” said Panthers head coach Kathy DeBonis, praising the Montclair defense.

Montclair’s team defense and sophomore goalkeeper Katie Cantine kept it a one-goal game until Jessica Casterline slipped one past Cantine with 10:47 left in the game.

PANTHER OF THE GAME

Jessica Casterline, senior midfield—Scored the Panthers' second goal.

“She had a good game for us today at midfield. She was able to get the ball up for us in transition today.”—head coach Kathy DeBonis on Casterline’s play.

OTHER KEY PERFORMANCES

Christen Piersanti, junior goalkeeper—Made seven saves in registering the shutout.

Dayle Paustian, junior midfield—Assisted on the Panthers' first two goals.

COACH'S TAKE

“The corners set up our offense. Getting that first goal early was a relief. Montclair played a great game. They were able to capitalize when we didn’t execute our plays properly, so we switched up a bit on the corners in the second half and it paid off with the three late goals.”—head coach Kathy DeBonis on Montclair’s defensive play.

“Today was business as usual. We have another mountain to climb and need to stay focused on our vision of getting to the Group 4 finals and beyond.”—DeBonis commenting on the Panthers' low key reaction to winning the sectional title.

THEY SAID IT

“We have multiple people who can score. Coach always preaches pass pass pass. Today my scoring opportunities weren’t there.”—Catherine Caro

“They neutralized [Caro's] scoring chances today so she became more of a distributor for our offense.”—head coach Kathy DeBonis.

UP NEXT—Hunterdon Central Thursday, location and time to be determined, in the Group 4 semifinals.

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