Girls Soccer Falls to Top Seeded Montgomery in County Tournament

The Watchung Hills Regional High School girls soccer team fell in the semifinals in the Somerset County Tournament to Montgomery High School in Skillman on Thursday evening, losing 4-0.

In Short

The Warriors were bounced in the semifinals of the Somerset County Tournament, in a rainy, windy, and cold evening at Montgomery High School, dropping the game 4-0. 

During halftime of the quarterfinals against Bridgewater, the Warriors spoke about a chance to get back at Montgomery, a team that beat them 4-1 about a month earlier.  On this Thursday night, however, the story remained unchanged. 

Montgomery notched a pair of goals in each half, including three of them on corner kicks.  After scoring 25 minutes into the first half, Montgomery added a goal off an odd man rush, which saw two on-the-money passes through the 18 box. 

The game may have perhaps turned early in the second half—13 minutes into the second half and still down by a pair, Amy Park launched a direct kick for Watchung from 35 yards away.  The keeper for Montgomery appeared to bobble and drop the ball, allowing the Warriors to put it in.  The referee, however, blew the whistle saying there was a foul on the Warriors for interfering with the goalkeeper. 

Two minutes later, Montgomery struck for their third goal en route to the win.

Warrior of the Game

Amy Park – The senior defender did her job on Thursday night.  She kept the Montgomery forwards from going right up the middle of the field and forcing them to the outside.  Park also got involved offensively.  Her two direct kicks from outside the 18 box created the two best scoring chances of the night for Watchung, including a goal that was waved off.

Other Key Performances 

The midfielders – Jess Heifetz, Monique Goncalves, and Samantha DePinho did the most running for the Warriors in tough conditions and a slick field.  All three played the total 80 minutes and did their best to keep pace with a Montgomery team that boasts an explosive offense and stifling defense.

Coach’s Take

“They probably played a smarter game than us.  They're good in the air.  We’re not so great in the air.  That’s how they beat us today.  We had a hard time with our first touch.  They were the better team today and they beat us.” – Head Coach Dan Root on playing in the weather conditions

“Last time we played them, all their goals came off a cross, or a corner, or a long throw.  That’s how they got most of them today.” – Root on Montgomery’s corner kick success

“We have to get over it.  We move on.  We have another chance to move on and win something.  We have to stay focused and move forward.” – Root on moving on and looking towards state playoffs

They Said It

“To be honest, we haven’t really played in any bad weather all season.  Even for practices, we would go inside.  I felt like we could have matched their intensity.  We came out a little flat today and weren’t confident.” – Amy Park on weather conditions

“They’re a great team.  They have it all.  We have the team to do it…but today we were just off.  Just a bad day.” – Park on what Montgomery does well as a team

“Absolutely [we have to move past it].  Number one in the state in our bracket.  We have to hold that.  We have to believe in ourselves…it was a little embarrassing today, but we have to play through it.” – Park on moving on and looking towards state playoffs