By BRIAN TORTELLA

Correspondent

On X @tortreports

MULLICA HILL — The energy was high for Clearview Regional heading into Wednesday night’s senior night affair with Haddon Heights. The student section was alive, and the youth field hockey team was in attendance.

So it was only fitting that two of Clearview’s finest seniors showed the future Pioneers how to get it done in style.

Makenzie Dutch and Alaina Lomonaco powered Clearview to a 4-1 Senior Night victory over Haddon Heights in non-league action on Wednesday night.

Dutch, who plans to continue her career at NCAA Division II Bentley University in Massachusetts next fall, scored two goals for the Pioneers within a four-minute span in the second quarter.

“Energy was high the whole game,” she said. “It was Senior Night, so we all came out strong, came out hard and finished well. I feel like I’ve been in a slump and I’m finally coming out of it. It was a good night to get myself out of the slump.”

Said coach Britney Ewan: “(Dutch) was on fire tonight. There were spots in the game and things I saw from her that I was like ‘Okay, she is here to play. She showed up tonight.’ As a senior and a captain, the remaining players feed off of that, and you could see that tonight.”

Lomonaco started the scoring action just as she’s done many other times this season. She recorded her 17th goal of the season — a new single-season high for her. Her career total now stands at 43.

“Great Senior Night win,” the Townson University commit said. “We really played hard, finished well. We had a lot of energy today. We connected passes really well.”

If they keep up this energy, it will be hard to stop the Pioneers. Clearview currently is ranked No. 4 in the South Jersey Group 3 power-point standings with the cutoff quickly approaching on Sunday. They’re behind Moorestown, Hammonton, and Shawnee — but that could change if they defeat Notre Dame on Saturday. 

“Big win, good win, fun win,” coach Ewan added. “Just two really nice teams. Clean play, they all play hard. Good skill on both sides. They’re well coached, which makes it fun and challenging at the same time. We enjoy that. That’s ultimately what’s going to help us prepare for the postseason.”

Ewan and Dutch both agree on one thing: the Pioneers (10-4-1, 3-3-1 Tri-County Royal) have what it takes to go all the way for a second straight season. It won’t be easy, however, as Group 3 is loaded with talent. Clearview faced North Hunterdon in the last two Group 3 state championship games with North Hunterdon winning in 2022, and Clearview victorious in 2023. Both games went into overtime.

“I’m excited (for the playoffs), we’re going to do really well,” Dutch said. “Getting through Moorestown and Shawnee will be tough. It’s going to be a good battle, but North Hunterdon easily (will be our toughest challenge).

Haddon Heights (8-6-2, 4-1-1 Colonial Liberty) couldn’t seem to find an offensive grove, but did all it could defensively. Mani’a Lacy recorded 15 saves for the Garnets. Torie DelCollo scored the lone goal for Haddon Heights. 

“It’s hard,” Garnets coach Gloria Byard explained. “I think the main thing was when you don’t come into the season in the condition or shape you should come in, you can’t play in games like you played tonight because you don’t have the fuel. 

“We’ll see,” she said, referring to the playoffs approaching. “The best thing is that we moved to Group 1. We were in Group 2, now we’re in Group 1. They have to do what they have to do, bottom line. You have to want the ball. We didn’t want the ball (tonight). You have to move to the ball. Basic stuff, it shouldn’t happen.”

GAME NOTES: Rutgers commit Ella Gandy added a fourth quarter goal for Clearview. Marissa Buck recorded seven saves. Clearview outshot Haddon Heights 20-9 overall.

Click this link to watch the full post-game interview: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DBfKF7Ctq2P/?igsh=MWp0bXk0aGN1dzQ1Yg==

Contact Brian Tortella: btortreportssj@gmail.com.