Ramapo had seen so many chances fail to result in goals that it began to seem that it would never happen. But a high-arcing header by Sommer Cochran changed the Green Raiders' luck and propelled them into the state girls' soccer finals.

Cochran scored with just over four minutes left to give Ramapo a 1-0 win over Whippany Park in the Group II state semifinal. The header came after a long throw-in by Karlie Brogan took a couple of caroms in the Wildcats' penalty area.

The game between sectional champions was practically played in Ramapo's back yard, at sister school Indian Hills. But it was Whippany Park that brought the more vocal student cheering section. After a couple of early chances, though, the Wildcats' fans didn't have much to cheer about as Ramapo took control of the game.

Still, the Raiders could not break through against goalie Kate Matrisciano and the Whippany Park defense. Matrisciano made six saves and the defense blocked several other shots. Ramapo also hit the crossbar twice and missed a few golden opportunities.

With overtime looming, however, it was Cochran who scored just her third goal of the year to secure the win.

Ramapo goalie Lizzy Stellakis made five saves to earn the shutout. The Green Raiders are now 19-3-2 and will play Holmdel in the Group II state finals on Saturday. That game is a rematch of last year's final, won 1-0 by Holmdel.

Whippany Park, which won a surprising sectional title as a #6 seed, finishes its season at 17-6.

For sports video highlights of this New Jersey high school girls' soccer state semifinal tournament game, click play in the box at left.