Lenape falls to Hunterdon Central in girls' state soccer semifinal
NEPTUNE, N.J. - A penalty kick banked off the post. Open looks sailed just wide or over the crossbar. On the opposite end of the field, shots were flying toward the back of the net as if they were being pulled in by a magnet.
NEPTUNE, N.J. - A penalty kick banked off the post.
Open looks sailed just wide or over the crossbar.
On the opposite end of the field, shots were flying toward the back of the net as if they were being pulled in by a magnet.
For the Lenape girls' soccer team, it was just another night in Neptune.
For the third straight year, the Indians stepped onto the Summerfield Elementary School soccer field for the state Group 4 semifinal and suffered a frustrating loss on the frigid turf.
The Indians fell, 3-0, to Hunterdon Central despite having an edge in quality scoring chances.
"When you win games, you have to get a little bit lucky," said Lenape coach Kevin Meder. "The last couple years, we've been a little bit unlucky. But make no mistake about it, they were better than us all over the field."
The loss didn't completely spoil a season in which Lenape (19-3-3) won its eighth consecutive Coaches Tournament and sectional championships.
"I don't think we're leaving this field with any regrets," said senior midfielder Courtney Norton. "We had a great season; tonight just wasn't our night."
Luciana Zullo scored twice for Hunterdon Central (20-3) in the first 13 minutes. Her first goal was a roller from 25 yards out. Her second was a bending strike into the upper right corner from 15 yards. Both required brilliant finishes from awkward angles.
The Red Devils tacked on a third goal, by Lizzie Knoop, with 11 minutes, 25 seconds left.
Although Hunterdon Central appeared a bit faster, Lenape looked more technically sound and had an edge in the run of play.
With 29:51 left in the first half, the Indians were awarded a penalty kick after Hunterdon Central was called for a hand ball in the box - but the shot banked wide off the post.
"Everything about Lenape soccer has been the best thing I could have ever imagined," said senior midfielder Kenie Wright. "We gave it everything we had."
Lenape 0 0 - 0
Hunterdon Central 2 1 - 3
Goals: HC-Luciana Zullo 2, Lizzie Knoop.
Saves: HC-Bristol Pizzuto 10; L-Alicia Hampton 6.