Beyond the Scoresheet

history lesson

January 8, 2007 on 10:07 pm | In Uncategorized | 1 Comment

lot of games to touch on and shout-outs to be given, but I’m going to give some historical notes instead.

First, today’s big early shock – Pingry beating Randolph 3-2. First time Pingry had beaten Randolph in almost seven years (0-8), since the final week of the regular season in
February 2000. That was when they were both in the Mennen Division and split two games in the final week of the season, allowing Pingry to finish third at 5-6, ahead of Randolph at 4-7. They met twice in 2000-01 and once each year since, with an additional meeting in the 2003 Mennen Cup quarterfinals. Most of the games have been close, with a few exceptions from 2001-02. A big breakthrough win for Pingry, though. I don’t know how long it can keep happening, but Pingry just keeps winning.

Also today, Morristown-Beard edged Bergen Catholic 2-1. The Crimson have had the Crusaders’ number the last few years, but not by much. That’s another result that makes rankings tougher – would Kinnelon beat Bergen Catholic? Comparative scores are a crapshoot, but still.

You had to love the war of words between Ramapo coach Steve Schick in the paper last week and Northern Highlands coach Jason Beswick in the paper after his team’s 3-1 win on Saturday. Both laid claim to their team being the league’s best, Beswick doing so after his team had proved it on the ice. These teams cannot meet again unless they are matched up in the NJSIAA tournament, since they play in different NBIAL divisions.

Obviously, Delbarton beat Seton Hall Prep 5-1 Friday night, the most decisive result in the series since a 6-2 Delbarton win in February 2001. Four goals is the largest margin of victory in the series since 1996 (Delbarton 8-1). I’m sure Jeff Goldberg or Mike Morreale could give you the all-time series, but in what I’m calling the modern era (separate NJSIAA tournaments, 1994-95 on), Delbarton leads the series 15-10-2. But as most fans know, Seton Hall Prep leads the NJSIAA tournament series 5-4.

Finally, I’ve heard that St. Augustine Prep, which has only three non-league games currently on its schedule, has been unable to get a Gordon Conference school on its schedule. I know that’s a long ride, scheduling can be hard, and elite players have more junior commitments, but you can’t tell me Seton Hall Prep (four non-league games), Don Bosco Prep, and Bergen Catholic have NO room on their schedule. I suggest those three because St. Peter’s Prep played three games in Maine, and Delbarton, CBA, and Pope John are all close to full. As everybody knows, Gordon Conference teams have very little to gain by scheduling a team like St. Augustine Prep, but boy, would I like to see it. Paging Peter Herms …