Hawks Get Top Billing, Crusaders Placed Third for States

River Dell and Bergen Catholic are both preparing for their postseason runs but the Golden Hawks will have the better positioning in North 1 Group 3 as the squad sits atop the powerpoint system. Bergen Catholic on the other hand will have to settle for a third place spot in the line-up.

Prior to Hurricane Sandy decimating all athletic schedules River Dell shut out archrival Ramsey 35-0 as the team scored atleast one touchdown per quarter. Ryan Duran accounted for two touchdowns (breaking a tackle for a 12-yard run and then a 1-yard run), Max Weber blocked a punt and then ran for 10 yards, Andrew Tummino ran 47 yards and Anthony Nastasi six. Ben Shapiro hit all five extra points.

Bergen Catholic faltered 20-17 against Don Bosco as three second half turnovers plagued the red and gold. Jon Germano became the school’s all-time leader in passing yards during the loss and contributed one touchdown. Garrett Dickerson had a four-yard TD catch and Ryan Rose nailed a 25-yard field goal for the Crusaders. 

The Crusaders later rallied to win 48-42 in overtime against Friendship Academy as Rose's 26-yard field goal provided more time for Bergen Catholic to seek a win. JJ Kulcsar did just that with an eight-yard TD cathc, although the win was marred by both teams locker rooms being robbed

Around the Pitch

Bergen Catholic, which will face Seton Hall Prep on Saturday 1pm in the state tournament, came up just short in their magical 2012 BCCA Tournament run as the unseeded Crusaders fell 3-1 to Ramapo. Thomas Hogue netted the lone goal to tie in the second half before the Raiders ran away with the title.

River Dell faces Wayne Hills, Saturday 11am in the second round of the state tournament after downing Passaic Valley 2-1 in an overtime thriller. Matt Farrell hit the second half equalizer with Nick Shanman securing the overtime win. 

The Lady Hawks had to wait a week to play their first round N1G3 match against Indian Hills. But the 4-0 victory was worth the wait as Frankie Maier and Brigid Tracy gave River Dell the powe they needed. The team faced Morris Hills yesterday in the second round.

River Dell Field Hockey was ousted 3-0 in the opening state tournament by Pope John as Emily Rizzo made eight saves. The Lions scored one goal in the first half and the final tallies in the second half. RD finishes the season 7-11-2.

On The Court

As the top Group 2 seed and defending champion, River Dell's week and a half wait didn't slow the Lady Hawks in their 25-5, 25-5 first round victory over Raritan. Prior to that, River Dell defeated Dumont 25-19, 25-19. The Lady Hawks face the winner of Red Bank vs. Voorhees, Saturday 11 am.

Tennis finished the regular season by shutting out Westwood, 5-0, as Celyne Moh deafeted Rachel Ocher 6-0 (twice); Hayle Read won over Grace Polur (6-2) twice; Emily Hagopian downed Katerina Frangides, 6-1,6-3; Sarah Mironov/Sandy Krajc won 6-2, 6-1; and Alina Kim/Rachel Schupak won 6-0 (twice).

Pacing the Loop

Bergen Catholic produced their best performance since 2001 as the team finished fourth overall in the Bergen Meet of Champions. Mike Whalen finished 8th overall in 16:11 followed by Matt Morano (17th, 16:31) and Tom Selvaggi (20th, 16:33).

Emily Croonquist represented River Dell at the Meet of Champions coming in at 20:18 to place 23rd.

Follow Patch on Facebook and Twitter or subscribe to our free daily newsletter.