EWING TOWNHIP – The St. Joseph High School field hockey team made its second trip to the state final in three years this morning.
Unfortunately for the Wildcats, the games had the same result.
Oak Knoll overwhelmed St. Joe and won the state Group I title game 7-1 at the College of New Jersey. Sunday’s game was a rematch of the 2010 state final, which Oak Knoll won 8-2.
Oak Knoll dominated from the start this morning. Allison Sayia and Ryan McCarthy each scored three goals for the Royals.
Oak Knoll scored just 56 seconds into the game when McCarthy passed to an open Sayia in front of the cage. Sayia tipped the ball into the empty cage to give Oak Knoll a 1-0 lead.
Oak Knoll kept the pressure up. But St. Joe did not wilt. Wildcats goalie Becky Boffo made several outstanding saves. St. Joe defender Joanna Umosella blocked a shot in front of the cage.
Eventually, Oak Knoll’s constant pressure got to St. Joe. Sayia scored an unassisted goal with 13:34 let in the first half to give the Royals a 2-0 lead.
Meanwhile, St. Joe generated little offense. The Wildcats first corner came with 6:01 left in the first half.
Oak Knoll ended any thoughts of a St. Joe comeback with four goals in the first seven minutes of the second half.
St. Joe’s first goal came three minutes into the second half. DeMarco dribbled through a few Oak Knoll defenders and blasted the ball into the cage from 13 yards out.
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