Eastern, Washington Twp. in big rematch

The Inquirer's first- and second-ranked field hockey teams, Eastern and Washington Township, respectively, will square off against each other for the third time this season in what amounts to a rubber match.

Only this time it will be in an NJSIAA South Jersey Group 4 semifinal. Eastern, seeded second, will host the third-seeded Minutemaids at 2 p.m. today.

The winner moves on to the sectional final, scheduled for Saturday at a time and place to be determined, and will be facing either top-seeded Egg Harbor Township or Shawnee, the fifth seed.

The loser goes home, which makes this game so critical to each squad.

History is on the side of Eastern (19-2), which has won the last nine sectional and state titles and is ranked seventh in the nation by topofthecircle.com. However, one of the Vikings' losses was to Washington Township (17-2).

Eastern evened the season series with a 2-1 victory over the Minutemaids on Oct. 16 and since then has defeated every team it faced, including Emmaus (Pa.), then ranked No. 1 in the nation by topofthecircle.com.

The Vikings certainly haven't forgotten their 3-2 loss to Washington Township on Sept. 19. It was Eastern's first defeat by a South Jersey team since Nov. 13, 1998.

"A lot of the team would like to play Washington Township to get that extra redemption from the first game we played them," senior midfielder Geena Lesiak said. "We want our revenge."

If all goes the way Eastern coach Danyle Heilig plans, the Vikings will be relentless on attack.

"We didn't play as aggressive as we should have, considering we were coming off a loss to them," Heilig said after the second game.

Washington Township will have to demonstrate the same explosiveness to the ball that it exhibited in the first game against its rival in the Olympic Conference's American Division. The teams shared the division title.

The Minutemaids didn't start clicking until the second half of the second game. One of the reasons was that playmaker Lisa Patrone was unable to get on track through the first 30 minutes.

"Lisa knows that she didn't play her best 60 minutes, but she's a great player, and she'll be there the next time," Washington Township coach Jeannine O'Connor said.

"We're up to the challenge," Patrone said. "We know how good Eastern is. The last time we played 30 minutes. We need to play 60 minutes and improve on our marking."

Here is a look at all the semifinals in the single-elimination tournament:

South Jersey Group 4.

Shawnee plays Egg Harbor Township; Eastern faces Washington Township.

Prediction:

Eastern will defeat Washington Township in a close game and emerge as the sectional champion after a tough battle with Shawnee, a dark horse and last year's Group 3 winner.

South Jersey Group 3.

Today, Seneca, the fifth seed, travels to top-seeded Ocean City, and second-seeded Central Regional plays at Kingsway, the third seed.

Prediction:

It's Ocean City's year to win the sectional crown and maybe more. The Red Raiders are 19-0-1.

South Jersey Group 2.

Fourth-seeded Collingswood travels to top-seeded Haddonfield tomorrow, and third-seeded Holy Spirit plays at second-seeded West Deptford.

Prediction:

Haddonfield will beat Collingswood and likely play West Deptford, which it beat and tied during the regular season, for the sectional crown. Haddonfield will also beat West Deptford.

South Jersey Group 1.

Top- seeded Glassboro hosts fifth-seeded Pitman tomorrow, and sixth-seeded Woodstown plays at second-seeded St. Joseph of Hammonton.

Prediction:

Glassboro, the defending champion, will pounce on Pitman and likely play St. Joseph in the sectional final Monday. Glassboro will win that game, too.

Central Jersey Group 4.

Fourth-seeded Rancocas Valley travels to top-seeded Toms River South today, and second-seeded Hamilton East, the defending champion, hosts third-seeded Freehold Township.

Prediction:

Toms River South and Hamilton East will battle for the sectional crown on Saturday.

Central Jersey Group 3.

Top- seeded Wall Township hosts fifth-seeded Ocean Township today, and third-seeded Jackson Liberty plays at second-seeded Moorestown.

Prediction:

Moorestown, the defending champion, will stop Jackson Liberty and bring down Wall in the sectional final Saturday.

Central Jersey Group 2.

Top- seeded Delran hosts fifth- seeded Camden Catholic tomorrow, and third-seeded Cinnaminson travels to second-seeded Bishop Eustace.

Prediction:

Delran will defeat Camden Catholic and likely face Cinnaminson, which it tied and beat during the regular season, in the sectional final Monday.

Delran will win that game, too.

Central Jersey Group 1.

New Egypt, the top seed, hosts fourth-seeded Moorestown Friends tomorrow, and third- seeded Audubon travels to second-seeded Gloucester City.

Prediction:

New Egypt, on a 12-game unbeaten streak, will make it 13 against Friends and win the sectional title on Monday against Gloucester City.