By DAVE O’SULLIVAN
Staff Writer
On X @GDsullysays
BORDENTOWN — There’s something to be said for playing with confidence, especially during the state playoffs. A team that gets on a roll and believes — really believes — it can win any game and beat anybody who steps in front of them can go a long way.
Since a 2-2 tie against Washington Township on Oct. 21, the Clearview Regional Pioneers have been as hot as any team in the state, and they capped off a nine-game winning streak by beating previously undefeated Northern Highlands, 3-0, to win the Group 3 state championship. The title was the second straight for Clearview, which had to fight its way through the sectionals as a No. 4 seed.
“We had a good amount of confidence, and we had to come into it thinking this was our game,” said senior Callie Warner. “We knew that if we played our game, we’ve got this.”
Clearview (18-4-1, 4-3-1 Tri-County Royal) got a pair of goals from star senior Alaina Lomonaco, the team’s leading scorer, who racked up 13 of her 35 goals during the five-game run through the state playoffs. Her first came off a corner to give the Pioneers a 1-0 lead in the first quarter, and her second tally was the backbreaker. She scored off a corner again, ripping a shot from the top of the circle to give Clearview a 2-0 lead early in the second half.
The was plenty of cushion for goalie Marissa Buck, who finished with 14 saves, and a stout defense led by junior Addison McConnell, who spent all day clearing the back line and getting the ball out of danger with smart, crisp passes out to the wings.
“(Alaina) is so good. Even just watching her today, she’s so fun to watch. She makes great decisions on top of having great skills, and she just gets it done,” said Clearview coach Britney Ewan. “and Addy has been a brick wall back there. She’s our junior center back, and she’s been huge. It’s so important to have someone like her back there who not only has the skill to get the ball out, but makes the right decisions at the right times. At this stage of the game they know it comes down to playing smart hockey.”
“(Our defense) is so amazing, they are like brick walls back there,” Warner said. “Marissa Buck, she’s amazing. I’m so proud of her. I’ve played with her since we were little, and just seeing her get so much better has been amazing.”
With 3:06 remaining in the game, junior Olivia Cherion notched Clearview’s third goal and dispelled any thoughts the Highlanders might have had for a miraculous comeback. The loss marked only the second time all season Northern Highlands (21-1-1, 5-0-1 NEFHL Liberty) was held scoreless.
“We’re usually going down to the wire or in overtime. I’m so proud of this team. We have two freshmen starting for us, and just that pressure in and of itself, coming onto a big stage — and you would not have known they were freshmen. All the way up to our seniors, who have just taken this program by the horns and have shown everyone what we’re about,” Ewan said. “You see that through and through. I say it all the time — they are crazy, amazing athletes on the field, but they are the nicest, most appreciative kids off the field. It’s the best of both worlds. I couldn’t be more proud of their grit and determination to want this. It showed today.”
“Two goals is a solid lead. When it was one, it was exciting but we had to keep it together. Once we had a two-goal lead it was definitely more comfortable and we were more relaxed, and once we got the third it was just crazy, we were all just so happy,” said Alexa Hogan, one of just four seniors on the Pioneers’ roster. “It’s amazing. It’s bittersweet because it was our last game (as seniors), but it’s amazing. I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I can’t imagine if we had lost, I would have been a mess. Winning back-to-back is so great.”
“I’m so proud of this team, the way we all lifted each other up (throughout the playoffs) no matter what. We kept our composure and I’m so proud. I love this team,” Warner added.
In the past two years, Clearview is 35-10-1 and has won two straight state championships. This group of seniors will graduate with 65 wins in four years and three straight state championship appearances.
Said Ewan, “we say it all the time, we remember the first time we stepped on this field to compete in a state championship. It’s something that you don’t forget. For sure, these girls are going to remember this forever, especially the girls who have won multiples now. It doesn’t ever get old. The feeling never gets old, we’ll take it year after year.”
Contact Dave O’Sullivan: sullyglorydays@gmail.com
