By Jim Hintelmann
MIDDLETOWN TOWNSHIP – Junior Hailee Hallard continued her torrid scoring pace by scoring three goals and assisting on the fourth as Middletown North (12-6-1) blanked Red Bank Regional in the second round of the NJSIAA North Jersey Group II field hockey tournament Monday.
North, second seed in the tournament, played host to No. 3 Summit Wednesday.
“Our defense was very good today,” said North coach Colleen Weimer. “We came out a little slow in the first half, but we turned it around with three goals in the second half. “
North, which allowed just three shots on goal, scored eight minutes into the game when Julie DeVries received a pass from Hallard and scored from right in front of the net. After that it was all Hallard on offense.
Hallard, a three-year varsity starter, scored three goals in the second half, all in a span of six minutes to break open the game. All three were from right in front of the net.
“I’ve had three goals a couple of times this year,” said Hallard, who also plays basketball and lacrosse, “but I scored seven one time against Manalapan. Basketball is actually my best sport.”
“She has over 30 goals this year and is our leading scorer,” said Weimer. “I’m happy with the way we are playing and hope to go far in the state tournament,”
Red Bank has been in a bit of a rebuilding year, but coach Maria Heininger has been pleased with her team despite an 8-12-1 record.
“Despite the score, I thought that we played defense as we have all year,” said Weimer. “They are used to playing on turf while we play our home games on grass.”
Heininger thinks that the Bucs will be better next year.
“We lose a lot of seniors,” she admitted, “but we have some good young talent coming up.”
