Knights Stopped Short of State Championship Goal

The end was stunning, considering how quickly the momentum had shifted.

Bishop Eustace's 2-1 victory over West Essex in the NJSIAA State Group 2 championship game Sunday at Toms River East High School was heartbreaking for the Knights, who ended the season with a terrific 22-3 record and a North 2, Group 2 title.

Sophomore Montana Fleming's shot off a corner–assisted by senior Moira Penza–was the winning goal with just 1:58 left in regulation to give the Pennsauken school its second group title and deny West Essex from earning its 15th state title.

Bishop Eustace had taken a 1-0 lead on a Penza goal off a scramble in front of senior keeper Kelly Mosser at 13:42 of the second half. But the Knights' tied the score with 2:46 left on a blast off the stick of junior Kayleigh Thies. Junior Jackie Fusco registered an assist.

Senior Casey Higgins got the play going with an interception at midfield, pushed the ball up to sophomore Amanda Cassera who forced a corner that led to the Thies goal.

"I believed in my heart as a coach we were going to go to overtime and we were going to win it–I thought we had turned (the momentum) all the way over and would get that second goal in regulation, not even go to overtime,'' said West Essex coach Jill Cosse.

The Knights just fell short; "I think we dominated, I think we had a lot of shots on goals, a lot of corners, a lot opportunities," said Cosse. "And I just think it didn't go our way. It wasn't that one team was especially the better team. I think Bishop Eustace absolutely won the game and I wish them good luck in the tournament of champions. 

"I wish that we were in the driver's seat, I think we got caught a little bit not in the driver's seat and that is a dangerous way to play a field hockey game and I think that when they scored their goal they didn't give us much time to get back on.''

West Essex carried a good part of the play. The Knights had a 15-7 edge in corners and a 13-7 edge in shots on goal. Mosser made seven saves.