Wed. S.J. girls’ roundup: Pitman reaches .500 on cutoff day

Facing an opponent that had lost just once in 15 matches this season, Pitman needed a win on Wednesday to ensure a spot in the sectional field hockey playoffs.

Only teams with a mark of .500 or above through Wednesday's games are guaranteed a berth in the postseason tournament, and the host Panthers rose to the challenge by edging Florence, 1-0, and evening their overall record at 8-8.

The pivotal score came off a penalty corner 14 minutes into the second half of the nonleague clash, when Michelle Stafford poked in Amanda Schaefer's feed. Pitman netminder Sarah Traynor made the lead stand up, stopping six shots to blank the Flashes (14-2).

Bordentown also faced a win-or-else dilemma, and christened its new turf field with a clutch 7-0 victory over Burlington County League rival Palmyra.

Soozin Kang scored twice, Lindsey Treptow contributed a goal and two assists, and Alicia Carthan posted her fourth shutout for the Scotties (6-6-1).

Cape-Atlantic. St. Joseph coach John DeMarco celebrated his 200th career victory while his daughter, senior Megan DeMarco, supplied a goal along with her 31st assist of the season in downing visiting Middle Township, 2-1.

Michelle Ecker set a Mainland single-season record with her seventh assist, and Jen Eisenberg's hat trick gave the junior 20 goals on the season, highlighting a 5-3 home win over Egg Harbor Township.

Junior right wing MaryBeth Keeler ignited a second-half surge with two goals and an assist, as host Lower Cape May kept its title hopes alive in the National Conference Division I race by blowing past Buena, 5-1.

Natalie Carlucci posted a hat trick while Allie Frankel and Jessica Giacone each contributed two goals and two assists, paving the way for host Holy Spirit's 10-0 triumph over Wildwood Catholic.

Second-half goals by Christina Rodio and Allison Salvati made Hammonton a 2-1 winner at Millville.

Tri-County. Jessica Loizeaux ended the scoreless drought with 2 minutes, 2 seconds left in regulation, giving Royal Division leader Clearview a 1-0 win at Classic Division champion Gloucester.

Olympic. Freshman Jade Dixon picked up her 19th and 20th goals of the season in pacing host Eastern past Winslow Township, 10-0.

Moira Penza (two goals) and Kelly Quinn (three assists) supplied the bulk of the offense for host Bishop Eustace in a 4-2 win over Triton.

Host Cherry Hill East enjoyed its most prolific offensive display of the season in a 7-2 triumph over Paul VI. Nina Orwitz and Alyssa Olenick each had two goals and Kristen Olenick came through with three assists for the Cougars.

Burlington County. Marissa DePativo scored twice to bring her season total to 14 goals, and Erin Laverty also put in a pair of goals as host Holy Cross crushed Burlington Township, 7-0.

Heather Porrini scored with 16 minutes left to back goalie Maggie Zelinka, who stopped a dozen shots for her sixth shutout, in Cinnaminson's 1-0 win over visiting Northern Burlington.

Nonleague. Jaclyn Reader's third goal of the day, off an assist by Nicol Rohan with 5:29 left, ended a see-saw battle and gave Maple Shade a 6-5 win at Moorestown Friends. Lara Savon dished out four assists for the host Foxes.

Junior midfielder Megan Knoblock dribbled past two defenders and rifled home a shot from six yards out with four minutes remaining in overtime, giving host West Deptford a 1-0 nonleague win over Kingsway.

Eagles goalie Alicia Barger made 11 saves in recording her 12th shutout of the season.

Olympic. Kate Walters had two goals, Rachelle Ross scored one and Lenape took over second place in the American Division with a 3-1 victory at Shawnee.

Allison Johnson made four saves for the Indians (7-1-2 division), limiting the Renegades (7-2-1) to a second-half goal by Shannon Dennehey.

Colonial. Caroline Pease dealt a pair of assists and Liberty Division-leading Haddonfield received goals from six players, keying a 6-0 win over visiting Lindenwold.

Katie Getzinger earned her eighth shutout of the season as Haddon Township blanked host Overbrook, 3-0. Patrice Maro had two goals and Haley Philpott chipped in a pair of assists for the Hawks.

Freshman Alisha Fox redirected Laura Rathof's crossing pass for the game's lone goal midway through the first half, and Gateway held on for a 1-0 win at Collingswood.

Paulsboro goalie Raven Robinson turned aside 18 shots, but six Sterling players were able to put the ball in the cage to send the Silver Knights to a 6-1 road win.

Tri-County. Nilifer Kaya knocked home a pass from Guliz Ozdemir to put host Glassboro ahead with eight minutes left in regulation, but the Bulldogs couldn't celebrate their 1-0 win until Highland's last-second corner kick bounded off the crossbar.

The late ricochet benefitted Ronnie Mora, who made seven saves in posting the shutout.

Burlington County. Kellie MacIntosh of host Burlington Township and Northern Burlington's Shambree Bonner traded first-half goals, as the teams battled to a 1-1 draw.