The Verona High School girls held Mount Saint Dominic Academy scoreless in the first half of their Tuesday afternoon match-up for the preliminary round of the Essex County Tournament. The game was played at the Essex Valley School in West Caldwell.
The second half didn’t work as well for the Lady Hillbillies. The period opened with an own goal by Verona, followed by two goals that the Mount players scored themselves, by Dominique Bevacqua and Megan Robinson. Junior Colleen Whelan started the game in goal, but was injured making a save as the half ended and sat out the rest of the game. Senior Anna Rosinski was in goal in the second half for Verona.
The loss puts the Verona girls’ record at 4-10 overall, and 3-4 in conference. Verona will host North Warren next Monday.
The boys preliminary round went much better for Verona, which entered the ECT as the No. 15 seed. Taking on No. 21 Technology High School at home on Monday, the VHS boys tallied up a 3-1 win. Sal Vassallo had a goal and an assist, while Cole Smith and Matt Handler had a goal apiece. Christian Campos was credited with an assist. Jerry Strippoli was in goal again for Verona and made two key saves.
The Verona boys are 6-5-1 overall and 5-2 in conference. Verona travels to Montclair this afternoon to face No. 5 seed Montclair Kimberley Academy. The teams may not be as far apart as their seeds would indicate: Last Wednesday, Verona’s offense and defense locked on MKA and held the Cougars to a 2-2 tie.
Photo copyright Kathleen Seubert. Used by permission.
