Morris/Sussex girls soccer: Ahead of county tournament brackets, we rank the teams
It's almost girls soccer tournament time.
The Morris County Tournament coaches will get together on Wednesday night to negotiate seeding. The Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex ballot opened on Tuesday and will close late Wednesday night, so expect that bracket on Thursday morning.
How closely will the coaches agree with this week's Morris/Sussex girls soccer rankings? Wait and see...
10. Hanover Park (7-2)
Last week: Unranked
Don't sleep on Hanover Park, which has won six in a row since early back-to-back losses to Madison and Mountain Lakes. Seniors Courtney Irwin (4g, 2a) and Arianna Allonardo (5g) have 10 points apiece.
9. Villa Walsh (7-1)
Last week: No. 8
Senior Olivia Martin has 16 goals and four assists for Villa Walsh, which got a week off before visiting NJAC-Independence rival Kinnelon on Oct. 3.
Up next: Wednesday at Boonton
8. Morris Knolls (8-3)
Last week: No. 6
If Morris Knolls can score, it can win. That seems obvious, but it's a reminder that all three Golden Eagles losses were by shutout: 2-0 at Roxbury on Sept. 15, 1-0 at Sparta on Sept. 19, and 1-0 against West Morris on Oct. 2. They have allowed six goals in eight victories, and four in the three losses.
Up next: Wednesday vs. Indian Hills, Monday at Montclair
More girls soccer: From Morris County to Argentina, midfielder finds her groove
7. Vernon (9-0-1)
Last week: No. 9
The legend of Vernon sophomore Monica Curry, who is already closing in on the school's goal-scoring record, has spread far beyond Sussex County. She has 30 goals and seven assists, with at least a hat trick in all but one of the Vikings' matches: a 5-5 draw at Warren Hills.
Up next: Friday at Newton
6. Madison (9-1)
Last week: No. 7
The Dodgers' 1-0 loss to undefeated and Group 4 Livingston on Sept. 23 seems to be well in the rear-view mirror. Senior Ellison Errington had four of Madison's six goals in its last three matches: home victories against Morris Catholic, Mountain Lakes and Mount Olive.
5. Pequannock (9-0)
Last week: No. 5
Junior striker-turned-goalkeeper Zoe Wizner and the Golden Panthers have allowed only three goals all season, two of them in a 10-2 defeat of Boonton on Sept. 30. Shayla Osmanski, Gianna DeSimoni and Alex Ortega have nine goals apiece.
Up next: Thursday vs. Clifton
4. Roxbury (6-1-1)
Last week: No. 4
Senior goalkeeper Aislyn Rivera has six straight shutouts for Roxbury, which hasn't given up a goal since Sept. 13. Senior Juliana Osterman has 11 goals and two assists.
Up next: Wednesday vs. Morris Hills
3. Sparta (6-2)
Last week: No. 1
How will Sparta rebound after back-to-back losses to Chatham? The Spartans allowed five goals in those two matches, one more than the entire rest of the season. Senior midfielder Juliana Dolinski leads the offense with 11 goals and three assists.
Up next: Wednesday at Mendham
2. Chatham (5-1)
Last week: No. 3
The Cougars cemented their position atop the NJAC-American with two victories against Sparta in five days. Senior Leigha Matter and junior Abby Droner have three goals and an assist apiece.
Up next: Wednesday vs. Mount Olive, Saturday at West Morris, Monday vs. Pingry
1. Randolph (8-0-2)
Last week: No. 2
The Rams continue to cruise through the NJAC-National. Junior Jojo Denegri had four goals and an assist as Randolph scored 12 goals and allowed just one in three matches last week, including a scoreless draw with Roxbury on Sept. 27.
Up next: Wednesday at Morristown, Friday vs Pope John, Monday at Hunterdon Central
Also considered: Kinnelon (7-2), Lenape Valley (6-3), Morristown (6-2-2)
This article originally appeared on Morristown Daily Record: NJ girls soccer: Morris/Sussex rankings ahead of county tournaments
