Kent Place Knocked Out of UCT

KENT PLACE FIELD HOCKEY ENJOYING FINE SEASON 

Kent Place has definitely closed the gap between itself and the upper echelon of teams in Union County of late. Unfortunately, it fell just a little bit short of joining the elite on Saturday night as Kent Place played valiantly but suffered a 2-0 loss to Johnson in the semifinal round of the Union County Tournament in Clark. 

Kent Place was seeking its first trip to the UCT final since it last won the tournament in 2003. “I think we played very well against Johnson,” said third-year coach Sara Wheeler. “We kept the game scoreless until late in the first half.” 

Johnson, which scored within the final four minutes of the first half, added another goal midway through the second half and goalie Becky Brattole did the rest, saving five shots, including a penalty stroke from Alex Agathis in the final minutes of the game. 

“We had our chances and we’ve certainly gotten better as the season has gone along,” said Wheeler. Kent Place’s record fell to 12-4-1 and its loss on Saturday ended the Summit school’s second five-game winning streak of the season and six-game unbeaten streak. 

Every one of Kent Place’s losses this season are to teams that are ranked in The Star-Ledger’s Top 20 field hockey rankings. It has bowed to Johnson twice and West Essex and Oak Knoll once each.

Oak Knoll, which is the defending state Tournament of Champions winner, is ranked first in the state. Kent Place also earned a 1-1 tie with Montclair, which was the Essex County Tournament runner-up to West Essex earlier this month. “We try not to be intimidated when we play these very good teams,” said Wheeler, “We just go out and play every game hard. This kind of competition can only benefit us.” 

Leading the way offensively for Kent Place this fall have been seniors Agathis (16 goals, nine assists), Annie Tunbull (eight, nine), Ali Coy (six, five), Meredith Esquivel (nine goals) and Elizabeth Zusi (four, three) and junior Dylan Blanchard (12, four). Juniors Erika Charnley, Ryan Cully (one assist), Annie McMullan (one assist), Julia Pressler (three assists), Amy Rowland (one assist) and freshmen Christina Parsells (one goal) and Maddie Ryon have also been instrumental in the team’s success this year. 

Junior keeper Taylor Branch has done a great job in goal after being a position player just a year ago. “Taylor was a field player and we needed a goalie and she stepped up last year,” said Wheeler. “She’s been great.” After posting five shutouts as a sophomore, Branch has shut out six opponents this year, including four straight in a span from Oct. 11 to 18. 

Kent Place has already bested its victory total from last year when it finished 11-6-1. This is the best season its enjoyed since it went 14-7-1 in 2006. Before turning its attention to the state tournament, Kent Place closes out its regular-season schedule this week when it hosts Cranford on Monday, Oct. 24 and at Pingry on Thursday, Oct. 27. Wheeler, a 2009 graduate of St. Francis, where she played field hockey and lacrosse, is assisted by veteran coach Sheila Dunne. “Sheila has a lot of experience and has been a great addition her,” said Wheeler. “I feel it helps that I’m young and close to the players age and they can relate.” 

Regardless of what transpires the rest of the season, Wheeler has a ton of optimism for the future. “This team has learned quickly and I wasn’t expecting us to do this well,” said Wheeler. “It only makes me more excited for the future.” 

KENT PLACE 2011 FIELD HOCKEY SCHEDULE 

Sept. 9: at Glen Ridge (W, 1-0)

Sept. 12: vs. Westfield (W, 4-2)

Sept. 13: at Millburn (W, 4-3)

Sept. 15: vs. Mt. St. Dominic (W, 8-2)

Sept. 16: vs. Columbia (W, 7-0)

Sept. 20: at Johnson (L, 4-0)

Sept. 22: at Summit (W, 3-2)

Sept. 27: vs. Oak Knoll (L, 6-0)

Sept. 30: vs. Morristown-Beard (W, 7-2)

Oct. 4: at West Essex (L, 7-2)

Oct. 6: at Montclair (T, 1-1)

Oct. 11: vs. Union (W, 9-0)

Oct. 13: vs. Montclair Kimberley (W, 3-0)

Oct. 15: UCT first round: vs. Summit (W, 4-0)

Oct. 18: at Gov. Livingston (W, 4-0)

Oct. 20: vs. Livingston (W, 4-1)

Oct. 22: UCT semifinal: at Johnson (L, 2-0)

Oct. 24: vs. Cranford, 4 p.m.

Oct. 27: at Pingry, 4 p.m.