Red Raiders Open Field Hockey Playoffs with Shutout

With a perfect regular season record complete, the field hockey team was anxious to get the playoffs started.

After receiving a first-round bye, the Red Raiders did what they did all season long on Thursday afternoon.

Ocean City, the top seed, shut out No. 9 Pineland, 5-0, in the NJSIAA Group III South quarterfinals. The Red Raiders (18-0) take on No. 5 Delsea in Saturday's semifinals.

"We were really eager to play," Ocean City senior Liz Cruz said. "We had a psyche dinner the day before. We wanted this since those summer workouts in June. We are excited for the opportunity. To see how far we have come this season is exciting."

"Overall, I'm so proud of the girls and everything they have done and accomplished this season," Ocean City coach Cory Terry said. "I'm just excited to keep playing and hoping to keep advancing so this season can be a big success for us."

The Red Raiders received first-half goals by Shannon Lawson and Ali Stever, however, they weren't particularly happy with their start against Pinelands.

"I think we started out slow, but after Coach called the first timeout, we all kind of got together and came out stronger," Cruz said. "The second half was better than the first half."

The second half included another goal by Lawson and two goals by Cruz. Lawson, Cruz, Stever and Mia Tompkins each registered an assist in the win.

Ocean City goalie Roisin Dougherty made five saves. It was the 11th time this season the Red Raiders didn't allow a goal.

"I think our defense was very strong today," Cruz said. "Coach was happy, too. We have been working on our defense the last few weeks."

The Red Raiders have been outstanding all season, especially the last five weeks, outscoring opponents 59-2 since the beginning of October.

However, don't expect the Red Raiders to take anything for granted. The competition is always better in the playoffs, and Ocean City players want to be the best team in the state.

"We try to get them to focus on improving every time on the field, work as a team, and give everything they got on every time they are out there," Terry said. "I can't expect more than that if they give me that every day. Generally speaking in the playoffs, whether you are the first seed or 12th seed, everyone knows this could be the last game."

The Red Raiders plan on playing for a few more weeks. Next up is Delsea, which needed two overtimes to get past Hammonton, 3-2, in the quarterfinals. The time for the game hasn't been announced yet due to SAT testing.

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