Depth, defense lead Montville field hockey

With newfound depth, some emerging young talent and solid defense, Montville is one of the most improved teams in Morris County.

Coach Jaclynn Hinz’s Mustangs won their third game in a row on Tuesday, 2-0 over Morristown, to improve to 7-1. The shutout was the fifth for Montville, which earned the third seed in the Morris County Tournament.

One reason for the Mustangs’ success has been their ability to get goals from a multitude of players. Sophomore Rachel McHale’s eight goals are tops on the team, but the club has received significant scoring from senior midfielder Jen Jasterzbski (7 goals, 8 assists), senior midfielder Kayla Armando (2g, 6a), senior forward Kellie Vizzuso (7g, 8a) and her sister Emilee, a sophomore who has three goals and five assists.

“In past years we’ve had trouble scoring,” Hinz said. “But this year we don’t have to rely on one person to do the majority of the scoring, and we’re getting forwards and midfielders who can score. Kellie Vizzuso is the driving force on the forward line, and last year we counted on her to score. This year, we have other girls who can finish.”

The development of McHale and Emilee Vizzuso has gone a long way in boosting the offense.

“Both of them played a lot last year,” Hinz said. “And that year of experience, plus the hard work they put in during the offseason, really shows.”

Senior goalie Sarah Karback has also made significant improvement from last season and currently sports a 0.71 goals-against average.

“Sarah is definitely a more aggressive goalie this year,” Hinz said. “She learned how to dive last year and is definitely using that to her advantage this season.”

Senior defenders Rachel Yu and Gina Della Stritto have played well in front of Karback,

“We’re coming together nicely as a team, and the younger players have really stepped it up,” Hinz said. “In the preseason, Kellie was hurt and the sophomore stepped it up and now Rachel Yu is injured and the younger players have filled in well.”

Play Pink

The eighth annual Play Pink at High Point gets underway on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with a car wash and bake sale at Tractor Supply, 775 Route 23 in Sussex. On Oct. 10, High Point will host Delaware Valley of Pennsylvania at 7:30 p.m. at the football field, with the JV game contested at 5:30. All proceeds from these events will benefit the Susan G. Komen Foundation and the Project for Self Sufficiency.

TOP 10

1. Madison 8-1

2. Mendham 9-0

3. Montville 7-1

4. Morristown 5-3

5. Randolph 5-3-1

6. West Morris 3-3-1

7. Morristown-Beard 5-2

8. Mountain Lakes 4-3

9. Pequannock 3-3-1

10. Mount Olive 4-3

Records through Tuesday