VIDEO, PHOTO GALLERY: Middle overcomes early WCA goal to finish off unbeaten CAL United schedule

October 12, 2021

By BRIAN CUNNIFF

STONE HARBOR — The first time the Middle Township High School and Wildwood Catholic Academy girls soccer teams met this season, Middle rolled to an 8-0 victory.

But in the rematch on Tuesday, the host Crusaders turned heads when Roan Jacqueline opened the scoring just a few minutes into the contest to give Wildwood Catholic a 1-0 lead.

The Lady Panthers, however, didn’t flinch.

Middle erupted for six straight goals over the remainder of the first half and went on to a convincing 7-1 victory. The win finished off an unblemished Cape-Atlantic United Conference campaign for Middle, which won all 10 of its conference games and the regular-season title. The Lady Panthers moved to 12-0 overall.

CC DiMauro and Olivia Sgrignioli each scored twice and Eva Dimitrov and Sofia Sgrignioli each added goals for Middle in the first half. Grace Repici finished the scoring with the lone goal of the second half with less than five minutes remaining.

The conference championship is Middle’s first since winning the National Conference in back-to-back seasons in 2014 and 2015.

The conference title automatically qualifies Middle for the four-team CAL playoff tournament, which is set to begin later this week. The league’s three conference winners and one wild-card team qualify for the tournament.

Wildwood Catholic's Kimmy Casiello and Middle Township's Olivia Sgrignioli collide in an effort to win the ball in the midfield.
Middle Township's Grace Repici watches her shot that resulted in a goal travel toward the net as Wildwood Catholic's Reagan Flickinger looks on.
Middle Township's Kerstyn Neuman looks to bring the ball out of the air as Wildwood Catholic's Ella McCabe gives chase.
Middle Township's Emma Messer settles the ball at the top of the penalty area as Wildwood Catholic's Julia Belansen closes.
Middle Township's Kailey Sanchez plays the ball as Wildwood Catholic's Nola Quinn chases.
Wildwood Catholic's Delaney Robb tries to slide tackle the ball away from Middle Township's Kailey Sanchez.
Middle Township's Carmen O'Hara races toward goal as Wildwood Catholic's Adrianna Bristow gives chase.
Wildwood Catholic's Delany Robb looks to fend off Middle Township's Olivia Sgrignioli.
Wildwood Catholic's Ella McCabe retrieves the ball in her team's defensive end as Middle Township's Carmen O'Hara gives chase.
Wildwood Catholic's Ella McCabe (left) and Reagan Flickinger look to settle a ball in the air.
Middle Township's Grace Repici moves away from the defensive pressure by Wildwood Catholic's Reagan Flickinger.
Middle Township's Marissa Gardner plays the ball as Wildwood Catholic's Maeve Farrell (center) and Julia Belansen (right pressure.
Middle Township's Carmen O'Hara fires a shot between a pair of Wildwood Catholic defenders.
The Middle Township High School girls soccer team finished off an unbeaten CAL United Conference schedule with Tuesday's 7-1 win over Wildwood Catholic.