SADDLE BROOK'S ASHLEY GEORGEVICH
NORTH JERSEY The state tournament gets underway in a matter of hours, but there is no reason to watch. All the answers and outcomes appear right here as we rev up The Super Computer to reveal who will win state titles in brackets in our coverage area. You are welcome...
NORTH 1, GROUP 1
The Seeds: 1. Waldwick 2. Pompton Lakes 3. Emerson 4. Kinnelon 5. Kittatinny 6. Saddle Brook 7. Hawthorne 8. Park Ridge 9. Mountain Lakes 10. Newton 11. New Milford 12. Midland Park 13. Wallkill Valley 14. Cresskill 15. Boonton 16. Bergen Charter
Player to Watch:
Ashley Georgevich, Saddle Brook
Georgevich is the leading scorer in North Jersey with 32 goals to go with 15 assists. The supremely athletic senior striker has six hat tricks this season alone and is the type of player who can single-handedly carry her team deep into tournament.
Dark Horse:
Midland Park
A champion is still a champion until they are beaten. Although they will come into the state tournament with a record under .500 with a tough draw the Panthers are still the reigning section champ and will be far from a pushover. They have found their rhythm with an appearance in the NJIC final and look to keep the ball rolling in the states.
Biggest First-Round Upset:
None
First-Round Winners:
Waldwick, Park Ridge, Kittatinny, Kinnelon, Emerson, Saddle Brook, Hawthorne, Pompton Lakes
Quarterfinal Winners:
Waldwick, Kinnelon, Saddle Brook, Pompton Lakes
Final:
Waldwick, Pompton Lakes
Champion:
Waldwick
This is one of the most interesting sections in the state with a host of teams that can get hot and win it. Waldwick has a system that allows plenty of players an opportunity to attack and find the back of the net. Emer Brophy is a solid presence in the back who is dangerous on restars. Senior Tara Lambert (15 goals, 17 assists) is also a handful along the left flank and her play will be paramount to a successful run for the Warriors.
MAHWAH'S ISABELLA GOMEZ
NORTH 1, GROUP 2
The Seeds: 1. Northern Valley/Demarest 2. Jefferson 3. Westwood 4. Pascack Hills 5. Ramsey 6. West Milford 7. Mahwah 8. Lenape Valley 9. Lakeland 10. Glen Rock 11. Vernon 12. River Dell 13. Elmwood Park 14. Pequannock 15. Indian Hills 16. Dumont
Player to Watch:
Isabella Gomez, Mahwah
Just a sophomore, Gomez has already become one of the elite players in Bergen County. The slick midfielder has a perfect mix of a high soccer IQ, the ability to see the field well with the ball at her feet, deceptive speed, and a hard, accurate shot. Someone to watch during state tournament play and for years to come.
Dark Horse:
Ramsey
The Super Computer is a big believer in a section champion being a tough out when defending its title. Ramsey is the reigning North 1 Group 2 champ and has somehow flown under the radar all season. If their play matches their potential for a full 80 minutes, they will once again be a tough team that peaks at the right time.
Biggest First-Round Upset:
Lakeland over Lenape Valley
Lakeland is a Passaic County finalist that can beat anyone on any given day and is in our coverage area. Lenape Valley is out of our coverage area and has a mascot that looks like Woody Woodpecker. Even worse, Richie Ballgame is friends with a guy who has an absolutely horrendous tattoo of that mascot on his leg. Reason enough to go with Lakeland here.
First-Round Winners:
Northern Valley/Demarest, Lakeland, Ramsey, Pascack Hills, Westwood, West Milford, Mahwah, Jefferson
Quarterfinal Winners:
Northern Valley/Demarest, Pascack Hills, West Milford, Mahwah
Final:
Northern Valley/Demarest, Mahwah
Champion:
Northern Valley/Demarest
After suffering a heartbreaking loss in last year's section final to Ramsey in a penalty-kick shootout the Norsewomen are determined to make good on a second chance and bring home the hardware.
OLD TAPPAN'S SAMANTHA DERRICO
NORTH 1, GROUP 3
The Seeds: 1. Ramapo 2. Wayne Valley 3. Northern Highlands 4. Paramus 5. Wayne Hills 6. West Essex 7. Northern Valley/Old Tappan 8. Fair Lawn 9. Morris Knolls 10. Sparta 11. Montville 12. Pascack Valley 13. Tenafly 14. Roxbury 15. Teaneck 16. Bergenfield
Player to Watch:
Samantha Settecasi, Paramus
In terms of raw speed few players in the state can match Settecasi. The senior wing has a defense designed to slow her down every time she steps on the field but few are able to do it. Among her 22 goals this season is a tally against Ramapo to show she can find the net even against the best North Jersey has to offer.
Dark Horse:
Northern Valley/Old Tappan
UConn-bound midfielder Samantha Derrico is a difference-maker. The better the competition, the better she plays. This was highlighted last week with two goals in an upset win over Bergen County finalist Ridgewood. Don't forget about the importance of a hot goaltender. Three-year starter Blake Mauro has as much experience as any goalie in this section. If both players are at their best, this is a team to watch.
Biggest First-Round Upset:
Pascack Valley over Wayne Hills
This is an evenly-matched tilt with both teams try Pascack Valley opened eyes right out of the gate with a shocking upset over Northern Highlands. After that though was a rough patch that lasted most of the season. It looks like the Indians have finally righted the ship with wins in three out of their last four. It will not come easy against a talented, but banged up Wayne Hills squad. Look for this one to go to PK's.
First-Round Winners:
Ramapo, Fair Lawn, Pascack Valley, Paramus, Northern Highlands, West Essex, Northern Valley/Old Tappan, Wayne Valley
Quarterfinal Winners:
Ramapo, Paramus, Northern Highlands, Wayne Valley
Final:
Ramapo, Northern Highlands
Champion:
Ramapo
Although the pack has significantly closed the gap in North 1 Group 3 this season it is still hard to imagine anyone but these two rivals meeting with a section title on the line. After years of watching the Highlanders celebrate at their expense, Ramapo will ride high-scoring strike Mary Clare Langan and rock solid midfielder Mia Suchora on the way to a title.
RIDGEWOOD'S PAISLEY TORNATORE
NORTH 1, GROUP 4
The Seeds: 1. Montclair 2. Randolph 3. Livingston 4. Ridgewood 5. Kearny 6. West Orange 7. Morristown 8. Mount Olive 9. Clifton 10. North Bergen 11. Passaic Tech 12. Bergen Tech 13. Bloomfield 14. Union City 15. Hackensack 16. Passaic
Player to Watch:
Skyler Matusz, Kearny
One of the most dangerous strikers in North Jersey, Matusz has already made her senior season her best one. She is one of the top goal scorers in the area with 30 goals, highlighted by one with two assists in the the Kardinals' recent 3-0 win over Bayonne in the Hudson County Tournament final.
Dark Horse:
Clifton
With an under .500 record coming into the tournament teams may sleep on the Lady Stangs. That would be a serious mistake. Among their ten losses are one-goal losses to Northern Highlands, Ramsey, Lakeland, Wayne Valley, and West Milford, all quality sides. With a recent 2-1 win over Northern Valley/Old Tappan the Mustangs show that they can only compete with good teams but beat them; which is necessary to survive and unforgiving section like North 1 Group 4.
Biggest First-Round Upset:
Clifton over Mount Olive
Clifton in the NorthJerseySports.com coverage area. Mount Olive not in the NorthJerseySports.com coverage area.
First-Round Winners:
Montclair, Clifton, Kearny, Ridgewood, Livingston, West Orange, Morristown, Randolph
Quarterfinal Winners:
Montclair, Ridgewood, West Orange, Randolph
Final:
Ridgewood, West Orange
Champion:
Ridgewood
Dartmouth commit Ashley Blaka can make plays all over the field. Watch out though for sophomore goalie Paisley Tornatore. She will face some pressure against top teams like Kearny, Montclair, etc. Look for her to emerge with some big games in between the pipes as the Maroons finally get over the hump and win a section title.
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