Morristown High Field Hockey Upsets Northern Highlands

The Morristown High School Field Hockey team took one step closer to their state title hopes by defeating Northern Highlands Regional High School 2-0 on Wednesday, Nov. 4, in Allendale, behind a strong all-around effort.

"It was a great game played by the offense and defense, they fought hard," head coach Diane DeSalvo said. "Once we scored that first goal, we stepped up our game."

After a mostly scoreless first half where Northern Highlands provided most of the offensive pressure, DeSalvo called a timeout to regroup her squad at the 9:26 mark.

The Colonials responded to her move scoring with 7:32 to go in the half. Sophomore Erin Tranfield received a pass from teammate Lily Hubbard through a crowd in front and while fighting through the scrum was able to get off a shot that found the back of the net.

"[That goal] was very important because then it gives them a chance to get the nerves out of the way, it fires them up," DeSalvo said.                

Once up by one, the Colonials sought to get the crucial insurance goal to put away a big scoring offense from Northern Highlands. Goaltender Kai Murphy was up to the task in filling in for injured starting goalie Megan Reilly, who missed the game due to a concussion.

"I was kind of nervous coming in, but I trusted my team," Murphy said. She made a number of difficult saves while the Colonials were up a goal to keep their opponents off the board. Murphy finished with eight saves on all eight shots faced. "Kai did a great job for us, she's been practicing hard all year, she was on her angles and got the ball out when she had to," DeSalvo said.                

Finally after a number of opportunities missed, the Colonials found that elusive second goal at the 4:06 mark in the second half. Senior Miranda Previte carved up the Highlands defenders weaving in and out, which led to her getting a breakaway and eventually cutting to the left of the goalie and putting it in the net. "Miranda had a great game, she's had a lot of breakaways and finally she knocked one in," DeSalvo said.                

Morristown's upset victory advances them to the semi-final of the North 1 Group 3 state tournament where they will meet No. 1 seed High Point High School, at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 6. "We need to play with the same type of intensity," DeSalvo said.