Health & Fitness
Watchung Hills Win In Overtime Against Bridgewater-Raritan
For the first time in Watchung Hills history, the Warriors defeated Bridgewater-Raritan in overtime, 10-9.
To start the overtime period, Zack Melillo won the face-off and broke down the field, drawing two defenders towards him. He stopped and hit Alec Orazietti, who shot and scored the game-winning goal.
“All the work Zack was putting in made the defense attack him when he had the ball. He drew two defenseman [one of which Alec’s], which opened up the whole right side,” said Orazietti on the overtime goal.
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Orazietti ended up with five points – three goals and two assists. Ryan Cunningham, Tyler Furlong, and Frank Rica all added a goal as well.
Rica scored the first goal of his Varsity career off a John Tekin assist.
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“During the unsettled play, Bridgewater-Raritan’s defense switched matchups as I cut to the net. John Tekin made a great pass, which led to my goal,” said Rica.
John Tekin scored two goals to go along with his assist to Rica, while Sean Mullaney added two assists.
Captain Zack Melillo scored two goals to go along with his game-winning assist.
Talking about the team’s performance in the win, Melillo said, “We went into this game knowing it was going to be a dog fight. We rose to the occasion and capitalized on our opportunities.”
Melillo also won 64 percent of his face-offs (14-of-22), leading to more opportunities for the offense to score.
“On the face-offs, my strategy was to stay in a fight. That’s all,” he added.
The Warriors played solid defense and stopped Bridgewater-Raritan on multiple occasions. Goalie Jack Ayre had nine saves, improving to 3-2 on the year.
“It’s the same thing that we [Coach Lovejoy and Middleton] have been preaching to them all season. If the effort is consistent and we don’t back away from the challenge, we have the ability to dictate the outcome we desire,” said Coach Jamie Lovejoy on the team’s victory.
The Warriors improved to 4-4 on the year and will open up a two-game road stint against North Hunterdon and Moorestown.
