PHOTOS: Middle optimistic tough schedule will pay dividends

Posted: September 18th 2023

Middle Township's Olivia Sgrignioli (left) battles Ocean City's Coryn McDonnell for possession.

By BRIAN CUNNIFF

CapeAtlanticLive.com

CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE – The Middle Township High School girls soccer team faced yet another talented opponent Monday and came away on the short end of a 3-1 result against defending Cape-Atlantic League champion Ocean City.

The Lady Panthers deployed a tight defensive system in an attempt to keep the game close but gave up two early goals. Middle felt there could have been offside infractions on the Raiders on the plays that led to both tallies but the officials disagreed and allowed the goals to stand.

“We came out and tried packing it in a little bit but Ocean City did a nice job against us,” Middle coach Mike Hickman said. “We opened it up a little bit in the second half and I thought we had a lot of success.”

Middle’s Olivia Sgrignioli prevented a shutout by tucking a shot under the crossbar with less than five minutes to play. The Lady Panthers had two later chances to further cut into the lead but couldn’t convert.

The effort was a fine one against one of the state’s top programs. Sgrignioli’s goal was just the second conceded by the Raiders (4-0) in four games. Naomi Nnewihe, Jaida Dooley and Ashley Rhodes each scored for Ocean City.

Ocean City has officially lost just twice in its last 75 games dating back to 2019, going 67-2-6 over that span. (Two of the draws came in penalty-kick defeats in state playoff games.)

“It’s a tribute to our girls to go out there and battle for 80 minutes against a really, really good team,” Hickman said. “We’re not happy with the outcome but we are happy with the performance.”

For Middle, the contest was the latest against a difficult opponent. The Lady Panthers (2-2) have also faced Mainland (a 2-1 win), Group IV Millville (a 5-1 win) and Egg Harbor Township (a 2-0 loss). That early-season schedule came on the heels of scrimmages against the likes of Paul VI and Lenape.

“We wanted to be in a position to play tough teams,” Hickman said. “We’re in a really, really tough division and to prepare for the division and prepare for states, we wanted to play good teams. It’s the only way you’re going to get better.

“For who we’ve played, even the scrimmages, we’ve seen some good things. So far they’re all stepping up. But we need to grow up quickly.”