Camden Catholic breaks through for title

They've been knocking on the door for a few years.

On Tuesday, they barged right in.

Camden Catholic won the Central Jersey Group 2 championship in field hockey with an imposing, 4-0 victory over Collingswood before a large crowd that surrounded the Panthers' grass field in Knights Park.

Sophomore Tara Vittese scored two goals, and sophomore Alyssa Olenick and junior Rachel Turan added goals as fourth-seeded Camden Catholic (16-4) won its first sectional title since 2007.

"Every year, we've been so close," said Irish senior Danielle Frasca, who played a strong all-around game. "To finally win one, it's awesome."

Goalie Allison Hawco made nine saves for second-seeded Collingswood (18-3-1), which had stunned defending champion Bishop Eustace on Saturday.

"We had a great run," Collingswood coach Val Dayton said. "I'm so proud of these girls. It's tough to go out on maybe not your best note, but I saw so many girls out there playing with that fire."

Camden Catholic will face South Jersey champion Haddonfield in Thursday's state semifinals, with a chance to advance to Sunday's state finals at Toms River East.

The Irish's only state title was in 1985.

"Our team has really come together the last three weeks," Camden Catholic coach Maureen Nelson said.

The Irish received a big game from Vittese, one of South Jersey's best players. The rangy forward scored the first goal on a penalty stroke with 17 minutes, 20 seconds remaining in the first half. She blunted Collingswood's hopes for a comeback by scoring with around 12 minutes remaining in the game.

"Tara Vittese was a huge factor in the game," Dayton said.

On the penalty stroke, Vittese lifted her shot into the top left corner of the cage.

"She almost got it," Vittese said of Hawco, the Collingwood goalie. "I was kind of lucky."

Although they play their home games on artificial turf, the Irish looked comfortable on the well-worn grass field. Camden Catholic held a 15-6 edge in corners and controlled play for long stretches.

"We've played on so many different surfaces, and it's paying off," Nelson said.

The coach thought her team was motivated by the disappointment of the last few seasons, especially an overtime loss to Bishop Eustace in last year's tournament.

"Last year, we fell short and that stuck with a lot of the girls and stuck with me," Nelson said.

Vittese said the Irish earned the elusive sectional title.

"We deserved it because we worked so hard," she said.

Camden Catholic   2 2 – 4

Collingswood   0 0 – 0

Goals: CC-Tara Vittese 2, Alyssa Olenick, Rachel Turan.

Saves: CC-Isabella Dolente 4; C-Allison Hawco 9.