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It was hardly a day to play field hockey. Strong winds and torrential rains made it a far better day to be indoors. But the Pompton Lakes High School field hockey team managed to block out the miserable weather and secure another Passaic County title, beating Wayne Hills 1-0.
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The Cardinals really dominated this sports game more than the final score would indicate. Pompton Lakes had several great chances in the first half but could not convert. Wayne Hills goalie Stephanie Zygmunt made some fine saves, including a stop on a penalty stroke.
Pompton Lakes also had a goal waved off as the official ruled an infraction on the Cardinals. So despite controlling much of the play, Pompton Lakes found itself in a scoreless tie as halftime arrived.
As the rain kept pelting down, the Cardinals finally managed to break through early in the second half. Off a penalty corner, the ball skidded across the goalmouth to Janelle Schneider. She threw it back in front of the cage, where Danielle Allan used a reverse stick to knock it past the fallen goalie. "The goal was wide open and I just shot it, and thank God it went in," Allan said.
Pompton Lakes had a few chances to increase the lead, but Wayne Hills raised its game. The Patriots created a handful of scoring opportunities but could not get one past freshman goalie Amy Cahill.
Coach Eileen Allan said she had never been involved in a high school field hockey game in such weather. "Due to the conditions it was hard to hold onto their sticks, but they accomplished everything they wanted in this rain," she said. The game could not have been played on a field other than one such as the new artificial surface at Wayne Hills, which drained exceptionally well despite the downpour.
For Pompton Lakes, it's the second straight county field hockey championship and the 15th overall in the team's illustrious sports history. The Cardinals have also secured a league title and hope to add a North Jersey state sectional crown early next month. --Paul Mencher for Jersey Sports Now
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