A look at the NJSIAA state field hockey semifinals

Now that the sectional field hockey championships have been decided, the winners are scheduled to clash in the NJSIAA state semifinals this afternoon at various, neutral sites.

In Group 4, South Jersey's top seed, Eastern, is set to play Shawnee, the No. 1 seed in Central Jersey, at 2 p.m. at Robbinsville.

The Group 3 semifinals include Ocean City, the top seed in South Jersey, facing Wall, the No. 1 seed in Central Jersey, at 2 p.m. at Neptune.

In Group 2, Haddonfield and Bishop Eustace, second seeds in South and Central Jersey, respectively, will play at 3 p.m. at Eastern.

Eastern also will be the site of the Group 1 game between St. Joseph, the No. 1 seed in South Jersey, and Central Jersey's second seed, Audubon, at 1 p.m.

Eastern, Ocean City, and St. Joseph are undefeated. However, Eastern will draw the most interest because the Vikings are going for their 12th consecutive state title.

The Vikings are 23-0 with 18 shutouts recorded by three-year goalkeeper Alana Barry, a junior, and a defense led by senior Brittany Evangelisti, one of the best in the state at neutralizing attackers and scoring at the other end.

Eastern, ranked No. 1 in South Jersey by The Inquirer, defeated second-ranked Shawnee, 4-0, in an Olympic Conference interdivisional game Oct. 14, and the Renegades (19-2) haven't forgotten.

"We played them once already so we know their style of play, and we fixed a few things that will definitely help us," said Shawnee junior forward Emily Arnot, who scored two goals in a 6-0 win over Rancocas Valley on Tuesday in the sectional final.

Ocean City is 21-0 with 15 shutouts. The Red Raiders' defense has allowed only eight goals all season because the forward and midfield lines have been helping center back Alie Stever, left back Danielle Palantino, right back M.J. White, sweeper Sami Beradis, and goalie Katie Johnson. Center midfielder Jen Staab is the playmaker.

Wall is 17-1 and has Erika Thompson, who scored both goals in a 2-1 win over Moorestown on Tuesday in the Central Jersey final.

Audubon (20-2) defeated fifth-seeded Haddon Township, 1-0, Tuesday for the sectional title. The Green Wave will have their hands full with St. Joseph, which is 22-0 and has won its last five games by shutout.

St. Joseph senior Megan DeMarco could tie Florence's Lexi Smith for the South Jersey scoring lead at 42 goals, or take over the top spot. Florence exited the North Jersey Group 2 quarterfinals after a 2-1 loss to Pingry.

Haddonfield (19-4) defeated top-seeded West Deptford, 2-0, Tuesday in the sectional final to avenge a 3-2 loss to the Eagles in a semifinal last season. Senior midfielder Alex Marshall leads Haddonfield in scoring with 29 goals.

Senior goalie Sarah Meeteer will be on guard against Eustace senior Moira Penza, the team's leading scorer with 21 goals. Eustace (18-3) has won its last 13 games. Goalie Alex Pecora has allowed two goals in the last five games.

"We scrimmaged them [Eustace] at the beginning of the season and played really well," Haddonfield senior midfielder Ali Kirk said.