Talk about a Cinderella story. After a not so glamorous season last year, the 2011 girls’ soccer team took home the North Jersey Section 1, Group 1 championship. This is the first time in Verona’s history that a girls soccer team took home a title.
Entering the state tournament, Verona was a decided underdog. Seeded ninth, they first faced eighth-seeded New Milford and, in a stunning double overtime, won 3-2.
As round two approached, sentiment seemed to be that the win was merely a fluke and that the number one seed, Pompton Lakes, was definitely going to end the Hillbillies’ season. Wrong. In another double overtime, Verona defeated Pompton Lakes 1-0, proving that they were a force to be reckoned with.
The girls’ magical run continued in the semi-finals when Verona played Cresskill. Seeded fourth in the tournament, Cresskill had a lot of skill and the potential to beat the once-again underdog Hillbillies. Again Verona stepped up, defeating Cresskill 2-0 and earning a place in the finals.
Finally Verona faced the 6th seeded team Midland Park. They were 90 minutes away from their first state title. After a score resulting from a beautiful cross from sophomore Jill Sprong and a rocket shot from sophomore Colleen Farrell midway through the second half, Verona could taste the title. With some strong defense throughout the game, Verona came out victorious and captured a state sectional championship.
Though their season ended in the state semi-final with a crushing 3-2 double overtime loss to New Providence, in which they surrendered a 2-0 halftime lead, the girls had completed one off the great seasons in Verona girls soccer history.
“This soccer season was indescribable,” explains senior captain Amanda Cummings, “I am proud to be a part of a winning team who made history.”
