Lenape girls advance to state final, again

NEPTUNE, N.J. - It took a shot few could execute against a team few could beat, but the Lenape girls' soccer team returned to its accustomed position here in the third week of November, accomplishing something few could dream of.

The Indians have won three consecutive state Group 4 titles and earned a fourth trip with Tuesday's 2-1 overtime win over Jackson at Neptune Memorial Field.

And while the Indians (22-1-2) haven't budged very much from their place atop The Inquirer's South Jersey rankings, and the state ratings as well, what's most impressive is how the Indians have overcome monumental challenges just to play that final game of the season.

The Indians needed an exemplary effort and got it from Courtney Kovac, who rifled a side-volley from 15 yards out in the 82d minute, earning yet another trip to The College of New Jersey to face the winner of Tuesday's Watchung Hills-Livingston game in Saturday's 12:15 p.m. state final.

"It's an amazing feeling," said Kovac, among the best midfielders in South Jersey.

And it was an amazing shot that was set up by teammate Tori Prager, who crossed a ball that hit off a Jackson defender to Kovac, who drilled the bouncing ball for her 11th goal of the year.

"It was an unbelievable goal, and Tori did a great job as well," Lenape coach Kevin Meder said.

What can't be understated is that it took this kind of effort to knock off the Central Jersey champions in a game even tighter than last year's 3-2 state Group 4 semifinal over the same Jackson team.

In 2008, Lenape earned a 2-1 win over Brick Memorial in the state Group 4 semifinals.

Three straight years, three games against highly skilled teams from the Shore Conference, and this was just to get to the state final.

"It's harder to stay on top because everybody brings their 'A' game," Kovac said. "It's such a challenge, but we have managed to stay on top."

Of course, Lenape has its own "A" game, one accomplished with the youngest of the four teams during this run.

So much has been said and rightly so about Lenape freshman Kate Walters, who against Jackson was continually putting pressure on the Jaguars' defense, with her ability to take on defenders.

Yet Lenape has also received great production from fellow freshman Rachelle Ross, who scored the game's first goal in the 15th minute.

After the Lenape goal, Jackson showed no signs of a letdown. The Jaguars were frequently taking the play to Lenape and it paid off in the 55th minute when Dani Andreas retrieved an errant kick and scored on a breakaway for the equalizer.

Lenape had the better of play in the first half, but Jackson controlled the final 40 minutes, forcing the overtime.

Jackson   0 1 0 – 1

Lenape   1 0 1 – 2

Goals: L-Rachelle Ross, Courtney Kovac. J-Dani Andreas. Saves: J-Sydney Lavan 6, L-Allison Johnson 6.