Field Hockey: The rivalry moves to the SCT final for Rumson-Fair Haven and Shore Regional

It is the best rivalry in Shore Conference field hockey.

If the phrase, Rumson-Fair Haven versus Shore Regional is mentioned, a championship must be on the line.

That’s the case on Sunday, Oct. 30 as the No. 1 seed Bulldogs face the No. 2 seed Blue Devils at 11 a.m. at Monmouth University. It is a rematch of the last two Shore Conference Tournament Finals in which Rumson-Fair Haven has won 2-0 in 2014 and won 1-0 in 2015.

But could Sunday’s result be different?

Field Hockey: Rumson-Fair Haven uses penalty corners to thwart Shore

“This year’s SCT championship game, comes down to two strong teams,” Shore Regional coach Kelly Koenig said. “It’s always exciting to play a talented team that challenges you to play your best game.”

Rumson-Fair Haven is seeking to become just the second school in Shore Conference history to win three straight field hockey SCT titles. If the Bulldogs are able to accomplish that feat, they’ll join Shore Regional, which won three consecutive SCT titles five times from 1999-2013.

“Our plan heading into the SCT was to take (it) one game at a time, and that is what has led us to Sunday. The girls know what is on the line, and they know that they won’t get an inch unearned,” Rumson-Fair Haven coach Julie Brewington said. “Every year there is a different chemistry, and this year with this particular team is a whole new experience, and one that we definitely don’t take for granted. I couldn’t be prouder of the efforts that have led us here.”

Field hockey: Rumson-Fair Haven going for a 3-peat

The Bulldogs (18-1) have won 17 straight games since losing 3-2 to Moorestown on Sep. 10 in a nonconference game. Overall, the Bulldogs offensive leaders are Lily Croddick (40 goals, 15 assists), Bridy Molyneaux (23 goals, 14 assists), Makenna Maguire (15 goals, 21 assists) and Emma Damelio (18 goals, 15 assists) while Alexandra DeVito has made 34 saves.

Rumson-Fair Haven and Shore played once this season on Sep. 8 and Rumson-Fair Haven won 2-0 as Maguire (one goal, one assist) and Croddick (one goal) provided the firepower while DeVito made seven saves.

“What I love most about this team is that we do not rely on one person to carry us to a victory. We have several girls that can score and be an offensive threat. We have solid defenders, and we have improved our team defense,” Brewington said. “We play off of each other. When someone makes a great play, the others feed off that. This is a special team and every person plays an important role.”

Field Hockey: Croddick lifts Rumson to conference title over Shore

The Blue Devils (19-1-1) have constructed a 20-game unbeaten streak (19-0-1) since losing to Rumson-Fair Haven on Sep. 8 as Shore’s Molly Santi made 18 saves in that loss. Overall, the Blue Devils offensive leaders are Lily Santi (26 goals, six assists), Abby Kopec (22 goals, six assists), Maggie Lamb (15 goals, 14 assists) and Kelsey O’Neill (11 goals, nine assists) and Molly Santi has made 68 saves.

“Inserters in field hockey don’t always get the credit that’s due. Inserts have an important tasks and their position sets the tempo for each corner that is executed. Most people watching field hockey only think/remember the end result, shot on goal or was a goal scored and not the steps leading up to it,” Koenig said. “Maggie Lamb, for the second year in a row, has been our insert. I am particularly impressed with Maggie’s execution, pace, placement and ability to extend the cage during the SCT games. She continues to grow and elevate her game. Maggie’s abilities at the insert position puts our strikers in a position to finish.”

SCT Titles:  Rumson-Fair Haven 2, Shore Regional 19 (two co-champions)

SCT Finals Record: Rumson-Fair Haven 2-1, Shore Regional 17-5-2

SCT Final Appearances (counting 2016): Rumson-Fair Haven 4, Shore Regional 25

The pick: Rumson-Fair Haven 2, Shore 1

Writer Sherlon Christie:  schristie@gannettnj.com

Follow him on Twitter at  https://twitter.com/sherlonapp

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