VIDEO, PHOTOS: Convincing victory advances Middle in playoffs

Posted: October 27th 2023

Middle Township's Anyiah Torres has the ball skip past her stick at the Audubon post during Friday's state playoff field hockey gamae.

By BRIAN CUNNIFF

CapeAtlanticLive.com

CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE – The Middle Township High School field hockey team had trouble converting its chances in the opening quarter of its first-round state playoff game Friday.

The Lady Panthers had no such issues from the second quarter on.

Middle erupted for three goals in the second quarter and two more in the third en route to a comprehensive 6-0 victory over Audubon to advance in the South Jersey Group I tournament.

Middle (14-3-1), the third seed in the tournament, will next play No. 6 Schalick in the second round next week. Schalick was a 3-0 winner over Bordentown in its playoff opener.

Middle dominated the flow of play from the start. The team generated 21 corner chances and 10 shots on goal, while limiting the 14th-seeded Green Wave to just one shot on goal.

After a frustrating first quarter, Middle struck early in the second when Gwen Boal lifted the ball into the cage from close range. Julia Clarke and Allie Brady quickly followed with goals to put Middle in firm control.

Brady added her second in the third quarter, followed by a tally by Alyssa Morrison. Anyiah Torres rounded out the scoring with a goal in the fourth quarter.

Zoe Hagan needed to make just one stop in goal for the shutout.