Ridgewood's Rally Seals State Sectional Title

The Ridgewood girls lacrosse team captured a state sectional title for the second time in as many years after defeating Bridgewater-Raritan 16-15.

It was a championship game that actually lived up to its hype as the top-seeded Maroons came back from a four-goal deficit before finally taking the lead for good off a spectacular Samantha Cermack shot.

"All of us had so much adrenaline that I don't think there was any way we were going to loose the game," said Cermack, who had three goals and six assists to help carry the Maroons.

The game featured seven ties and eight lead changes and was close throughout the first half, but in the second, Bridgewater appeared headed to a title.

First, Lauren Sbrilli put the Panthers up 12-8 with a wicked wrister in the top right corner of the goal. Then, with just under 10 minutes to play, Carlee Dragon netted a penalty shot to put Bridgewater ahead 14-10.

"I told them to keep their composure and play their game," Ridgewood head coach Karla Mixon said. "But I was also sure to say a few prayers."

Mixon's prayers were answered in the form of defensive captain Abbey VanHorne's miraculous healing powers. The senior leader was severely under the weather and sat out the first 30 minutes. As she saw her teammates struggling, VanHorne knew they needed a spark.

"When it started to look like this might be our last game, I knew I just had to find a way to get on the field," said the defensive stalwart.

VanHorne's impact was felt immediately as the Maroons held Bridgewater to one more goal in the match.

The newly found defensive swagger allowed the offense to do its thing and light up the scoreboard. With 9:21 left to play, Kelci Smesko found the net for the third time—thanks to a beautiful transition feed from Cermack.

It was Cermack who seemed to almost put the team on her back and will it to victory. The senior forward accounted for two goals and four assists in the final 10 minutes, including a number of highlight reel efforts.

One of Cermack's finer moments came on the game's equalizer where she found a cutting Jess Miller to tie the score at 15-15 with just 1:22 left in regulation.

After Sally Jentis won the ensuing face-off, Ridgewood chose to run some clock before making its final attack. Cermack stood at center field, surveying the Panther defense and waiting to make her move.

After running the clock under 30 seconds, Cermack juked past two defenders and whipped a one-handed fireball across her body and into the left corner of the goal.

"We came in wanting to defend our title so we could move further than we've ever gone before," said Cermack, who during her illustrious career has never played in the Tournament of Champions.

The goal put Ridgewood ahead for the first time since the 19:49 mark of the first half, but Bridgewater was far from finished. With just 12 seconds left, the Panthers drew a foul to get one last shot on goal.

Dragon, who finished with five goals and four assists, stood just 10 yards away from the goal and seemed to be destined to tie things up yet again. But VanHorne came out of nowhere to knock the ball loose and seal the match.

"When I came in to the game Sammy told me the girl was a lefty, so I used that to my advantage and got a good read on her initial move," VanHorne said.

With that the final whistle blew allowing Ridgewood to rush the field in celebration. The players exchanged hugs and handshakes as they basked in their well-deserved glory.

The win moves the Maroons (19-1) into the State Group finals where they will play the South Group IV champs Cherokee May 27 at Robbinsville High School in Mercer County at 5 p.m.