Girls soccer state playoffs: OC wins comfortably, Middle victorious on road, Crusaders stunned at home

Two Cape May County high school girls soccer teams advanced and two others had their seasons ended with losses as the state playoffs began Tuesday afternoon.

Middle Township pulled off a seed upset in South Jersey Group II. The Lady Panthers, seeded ninth, won 1-0 at No. 8 Oakcrest on a Nadine Coyle second-half goal, which was assisted by Kira Sides. Brynn Bock made nine saves for the shutout in goal. It was the third time this season the two teams met; Middle had beaten and drew with the Falcons in those two previous contests. The playoff win gives Middle (9-8-2) a date with top-seeded Delsea on Friday.

Ocean City, the fifth seed in the South Jersey Group III Tournament, handed No. 12 Absegami a 6-1 defeat. Faith Slimmer scored twice and Delaney Lappin, Anna Devlin, Summer Reimet and Tori Rolls each added goals for the Raiders (14-5-2). Ocean City will get another home game on Thursday against No. 13 Toms River East, which upset No. 4 GCIT, 3-0, on Thursday.

Wildwood Catholic endured a bitter defeat in South Jersey Non-Public B. The Crusaders, seeded eighth, held a 1-0 lead thanks to Ivy Bolle’s opener, but No. 9 Gloucester Catholic rallied with two goals in the final 12 minutes to stun the Crusaders, 2-1. The game winner was scored with less than two minutes remaining. The Crusaders, who project to bring back nine starters next fall, finished at 10-3-3.

Lower Cape May, the 15th seed in South Jersey Group II, lost 6-0 at No. 2 Haddonfield. The Lady Tigers finished at 2-17.