Cross Country
The South boys’ and girls’ teams both placed first at the Mercer County Championships on October 24 at Thompson Park in Monroe. The North boys came in fourth and the North girls came in fifth.
Nikhil Pulimood finished first overall for the South boys, marking the third year in a row that a Pirate has won the county title. The team has won the county championship five years in a row. Behind a second-place effort by Christina Rancan, the South girls took their third consecutive county title.
All four cross country teams will return to Thompson Park on Saturday, November 8, for the state sectional championships. The South boys will be seeking their fifth straight sectional title. A win for the South girls would be their second in a row.
North boys: 7. Kian Jackson, 16:42.23; 20. Shuming Teoh, 17:30.84.
North girls: 4. Yuzki Oey, 19:29.81; 20. Jessica Nguyen 20:43.19.
South boys: 1. Nikhil Pulimood, 15:49.33; 2. Tim Bason, 15:54.61; 15. Zabih Kotecha, 17:15.34; 17. Sam Williams, 17:23.39; 18. Zach Crossey, 17:29.65.
South girls: 2. Christina Rancan, 19:24.37; 3. Deirdre Casey, 19:27.65; 5. Alex Hesterberg, 19:38.75; 14. Haley Rich, 20:06.91; 18. Edlyn Gulama, 20:37.05.
Football
After a series of losing seasons, the North football team finally found its rhythm and has fought its way to a 5-3 record. The Knights head into their game against Princeton on Friday, November 7, in contention for a playoff spot in the Group IV central section.
The Knights are coming off a 19-14 win over Ewing on November 1. Ewing took a 14-13 lead into the final minutes of the fourth quarter, but North quarterback Kevin Murphy orchestrated a 12-drive play, ending with an 18-yard pass to Robert Peterson for the winning touchdown. C.J. Markisz ran for North’s other two touchdowns.
South, meanwhile, has struggled to an 0-8 record and was shut out by wide margins in its last two games. The Pirates play their final regular season game at home against Steinert on Friday, November 7.
North (5-3): A 34-26 loss to Hamilton West on October 25.
A 19-14 win over Ewing on November 1.
South (0-8): A 50-0 loss to Princeton on October 25.
A 44-0 loss to Northern Burlington on November 1.
Field Hockey
North (11-9-1): A 3-2 win over Ewing on October 22. Goals: Christina Hayduchok; Kylie Mulhall; Miranda Zhou. Leah Yourstone. Saves: Christina Hayduchok, 8.
A 7-1 loss to Bordentown on October 28. Goals: Alexis Duplak. Saves: Lauren Hausheer, 23.
A 1-0 win over South Brunswick on October 31. Goals: Duplak. Saves: Hausheer, 2.
An 8-0 loss to Bridgewater-Raritan on November 4. Saves: Hausheer, 30.
South (4-13-3): A 2-2 tie with Stuart on October 24. Goals: Sarah Moxham, 2.
A 1-1 tie with Brick Memorial on October 27. Goals: Moxham. Saves: Gargi Sapre, 13.
A 6-1 loss to Freehold Township on October 31. Goals: Dana Salerno. Saves: Sapre, 20.
Girls’ Soccer
North (11-6): A 3-1 win over Steinert on October 24. Goals: Jillian Wachira; Meghan Wachira, 2. Assists: Megan Foley.
A 3-0 loss to Hightstown on October 27. Saves: Claudia Bianchine, 10.
A 3-2 loss to East Brunswick on November 4. Goals: Morgan Hendry; M. Wachira. Assists: Elise Gardner; M. Wachira.
South (4-16): A 3-0 loss to Hopewell Valley on October 24. Saves: Julia Koepp, 17.
A 3-1 loss to Lawrence on October 28. Goals: Gabriela Portilla.
A 7-0 loss to Hunterdon Central on November 4. Saves: Koepp, 10.
Boys’ Soccer
North defeated South 3-2 on October 24. Goals for North: Nana Owusu Boahen; Vincenzo Pugliese, 2. Assists for North: Brendan Cortez; Aathreya Thuppul.
North (9-6-2): A 2-0 loss to Princeton on October 27. Saves: Kyle Jacobson, 3.
A 1-0 loss to Freehold Township on November 3. Saves: Jacobson, 8.
South (6-10-2): A 2-1 win over Robbinsville on October 28. Goals: Anthony Amore; Mik Zlatin. Assists: David Philbin. Saves: Luke Baliesteri, 5; Daniel Klein, 5.
