Field hockey: Moorestown beats Haddonfield in T of C opener

Delaney Lawler scored two goals, assisted on another, made a defensive save and controlled play for large stretches of Monday's Tournament of Champions opener in field hockey.

The Moorestown junior also circled the date for a family reunion.

Lawler led Moorestown to a 7-1 victory over Haddonfield in the T of C play-in game on a damp, cool evening at
Rancocas Valley High School.

Junior forward Catherine Dare added two goals and junior goalie Lauren Pickul made five saves for Moorestown (18-3), the Group 3 state champion.

"We wanted to start fast and finish strong and that's what we did," Lawler said.

The victory propelled Moorestown into Wednesday night's semifinals against top-seeded Eastern (23-0-1), the Group 4 state
champion.

The Vikings are coached by Danyle Heilig, who is the aunt of Lawler and her sister, Moorestown freshman defender Margaret Lawler.

"It's so exciting," said Delaney Lawler, a midfielder. "Especially playing with my little sister against my aunt. It's a
special game."

Wednesday's showdown will have extra meaning for all the Quakers, not just the Lawler sisters.

Eastern beat Moorestown, 3-2, on Oct. 14 in a game the Quakers led, 2-0.

The Quakers have won eight straight since that loss, beating six opponents in state tournament play by a combined score of
35-4.

"I saw 60 minutes of hockey," Moorestown coach Ali Collins said of her team's play against Haddonfield. "It was a complete game."

Haddonfield (22-4) had beaten Moorestown by a 2-1 score on Oct. 7.

"This was a redemption game," Lawler said. "They beat us and so did Eastern. So this next game is redemption, part two."

Collins said her team welcomes the challenge of facing an Eastern team that has won 19 consecutive Group 4 state titles as
well as seven T of C titles since the event began in 2006.

"The motto of this season has been 'challenges answered,'" Collins said. "Our girls are looking forward to the chance to
compete against the top."

Moorestown 3 4 — 7

Haddonfield 1 0 — 1

Goals: M-Delaney Lawler, 2, Catherine Dare 2, Olivia Sever, Colleen Craven, Avery Powell; H-Sophie Popp.

Saves: M-Lauren Pickul, 5; H-Megan Maynes, 9.