BY MIKE WHITE
Staff Writer

CHRIS KELLY staff Jackson Memorial High School's Ryan Fenimore (488) competes in the Cougar Invitational at Bucks Mill Park, Colts Neck, on Sept. 29. Fenimore ran 5 kilometers in 16 minutes to finish fifth in the event and help the Jaguars win the team championship. The only other thing New Egypt High School field hockey coach Patti Nicholson likes better than winning is watching her team develop and grow as a unit. And if that means suffering through a couple of losses against top-notch programs, Nicholson is more than willing to subject her squad to that level of competition.

"The only way you become better as a team is to play against the best teams out there," Nicholson said. "We've had a great season so far, but I want our girls to meet up against the best competition we can find. We've had a couple of real tough games this season. I believe that level of competition is going to help us when the postseason rolls around."

Indeed, the Lady Warriors, who sport an 8-2 mark overall, dropped games against Lenape and Montclair, two of the most recognizable field hockey programs in the state. Following a 4-1 loss to Lenape, New Egypt rebounded with a close 1-0 setback against Montclair.

"They were two great games for our girls to be a part of," Nicholson said. "Both teams are very solid and presented a huge challenge for us. I thought our girls played very well. We still have work we need to do, but those two games are going to help us down the road."

In the loss to Lenape, New Egypt fell behind 3-0 at half.

Nicholson cited her team's mettle in the second half for playing Lenape.

"There was no quit in our girls," Nicholson said. "They jumped on us in the first half, but we responded very nicely in the second half. We settled in and played with much more confidence."

The Warriors put a scare into Montclair, who escaped with a 1-0 win. Montclair entered the game with a gaudy 12-0 mark.

"The Lenape game helped us play better here," Nicholson said. "We had to compete against 11 field hockey players. A lot of the teams we play during the regular season aren't this strong and don't have as much depth. They forced us to play defense and make sure that we marked who we were supposed to mark."

Nicholson cited the fine play of Heather Garces, Lynn Sandford, Lauren Siegelski and Emily Straniero.

"These girls are really getting the job done for us," Nicholson said.

Boys soccer falls

to Burlington City

New Egypt took Burlington City to overtime before eventually falling 2-1 in a Freedom Division game.

"The guys played great soccer on that day," coach Sam Palumbo said. "We hung in there and fought to the end. We're still a little inexperienced when it comes to knocking teams like Burlington City off. But I definitely see improvement."

The Warriors knotted the score at 1-all when Ricky Mackesy scored on a penalty kick 15 minutes into the second half. Rob Brown was fouled inside the box after receiving a cross to draw the penalty kick.

Mackesy, who takes all of New Egypt's penalty kicks, beat the Burlington City goalkeeper to force the extra period.

Burlington City scored seven minutes into overtime to win the game.

"They set up the goal beautifully," Palumbo said. "I'm proud of the way we performed."

New Egypt has endured a number of one-goal losses so far this season. The Warriors lost one goal against Maple Shade (3-2) and Palmyra (2-1).

"We just need to score that one breakthrough win," Palumbo said.

"The kids need to learn how to win those tough games. If we keep after it, we're going to knock off one of these top teams."