By Jim Hintelmann
MIDDLETOWN – Although its win-loss record (3-4) doesn’t indicate it, Middletown North’s field hockey team has been showing gradual improvement since its opening game loss to Shore Regional.
“We’re better than our record,” North coach Colleen Weimer said following Tuesday’s impressive 5-0 A Division North shutout of Manalapan. “We’re playing a very strong schedule. Our other losses were to Freehold Township, Freehold and Middletown South. All of them are good teams. “
North controlled the Manalapan game from the start with its defense not permitting a shot on goal in the first half. Offensively, junior forward Hailee Hallard set the pace with the hat trick.
“We really played like a team today and are getting better,” Hallard said. “This was my second hat trick of the season. I had three goals against Howell.”
Hallard opened the scoring midway in the first half with a goal from 5-yards out. Cheyenne Rescorl and Hallard followed with quick goals for the 3-0 halftime lead.
“Offensively, this was one of our better games,” Weimer said. “Our goal now is to finish with a winning record, but we have a tough game with Ocean Township coming up Saturday.”
Hallard and Christine Gebhardt scored second-half goals to close out the North scoring.
Gebhardt is also a standout softball player who hit eight home runs last spring, including three against Red Bank Catholic.
North played the final 20 minutes of the game with its reserves and finished with a 21-4 advantage in shots.
