Camden Catholic loses Group 2 final to West Essex

TOMS RIVER, N.J. - The Camden Catholic field hockey team's remarkable run through the state tournament ended Sunday with a 4-3 loss to West Essex in the Group 2 state final.

The upstart Irish pushed the perennial state power to the brink in an entertaining game at Toms River East.

"Hopefully, we earned some respect in the state," Camden Catholic coach Maureen Nelson said. "I was so proud of these girls."

Camden Catholic (17-5) got a typically strong game from sophomore Tara Vittese, who scored one goal and assisted on another. The Irish also got goals from Alyssa Olenick and Caroline Kane.

Vittese's goal tied the score at 3-3 midway in the second half. But West Essex (22-1), which has won 15 state titles, surged in front on Paulina Berse's goal and held off a furious Irish charge.

"We played really well," Vittese said. "[West Essex is] a very good team, and their goalie [senior Melissa Laible] was phenomenal."

Camden Catholic won its only state title in 1985. The Irish were the No. 4 seed in the South Jersey Group 2 tournament but put together a playoff drive that energized the program and brought out a large contingent of fans to Sunday morning's game, including a cheering, chanting student section.

"I want to come back here the next two years," Vittese said.

West Essex 2 2 – 4

Camden Catholic 1 2 – 3

Goals: WE-Amanda Cassera, Kalyn Schwartz, Jackie Fusco, Paulina Berse. CC-Alyssa Olenick, Caroline Kane, Tara Vittese.

Freehold Borough 5, Moorestown 1. The Quakers fell to the defending champions in the Group 3 state title.

Sophomore Jess Dadino scored for Moorestown (15-6-1), which was seeking its 17th state title but first since 2006. The Quakers were 16-0 in state title games.

Emily Wold scored three goals for Freehold Borough (22-1).

"I'm so proud of my team, so proud of my seniors," Moorestown coach Ali Collins said. "They did everything we asked them to do - play with heart, play as hard as they could, grow as a team."

Moorestown 0 1 – 1

Freehold Borough 1 4 – 5

Goals: FB-Emily Wold, 3, Lauren Bock, Haley Meade. M- Jess Dadino.

Shore Regional 8, Schalick 0. Aileen Johnson scored four goals, and goalie Giselle Ramos did not allow a goal on 19 shots in Shore Regional's victory.

Shore Regional 4 4 - 8

Schalick 0 0 - 0

SR goals: Hannah Barreca 1, Alyssa Ercolino 2, Aileen Johnson 4, Gina Ruscil 1.

Sch goalie: Giselle Ramos 19 saves.