Cougar Grit, Thin Margins: A Week of Near-Misses

November 5, 2025

Nicholas Mistretta

MHS ’79 Cougar Sports Correspondent

Field Hockey – Montclair storms past Montgomery, 6–0, in NJSIAA first round

MONTCLAIR, N.J. — A blistering first-quarter surge sent 12th-seeded Montclair past Montgomery, 6–0, in an NJSIAA first-round field hockey matchup, ending the Cougars’ season at 10–9–1.

Montclair (11–9) needed less than a quarter to take full control, striking four times in the opening 15 minutes and outshooting Montgomery 46–10 overall. Ceci Cowart powered the Mounties with two goals and two assists, while Tessa Angelillo also scored twice. Caitlin Gorman (goal, assist) and Sophie Alway (goal, assist) rounded out a balanced attack, and Layla Anderson added an assist.

Montgomery survived an early barrage thanks to a gutsy effort from goalkeeper Phoebe Rounds, who finished with 26 saves behind a back line that stacked the circle and produced four defensive saves—one apiece from Sophia Soron, Lexi Lopez, Anya Obe and Carson Benedict. But Montclair’s pressure on restarts and sustained possessions proved decisive, especially during a one-sided first half that ended 5–0.

Cowart opened the scoring in the first quarter off a dish from Anderson, then Gorman doubled the lead moments later. The Mounties made it 3–0 when Alway finished a Cowart feed, and Angelillo capped the opening burst off another Cowart assist. Cowart struck again in the second quarter on a give-and-go with Gorman, and Angelillo netted her second in the third from Alway to close the scoring.

Montgomery generated its best spell late in the third and early in the fourth, earning five penalty corners and forcing Montclair keeper Annabella Bernardyn into four saves. Still, the Cougars couldn’t unlock the Mounties’ compact circle defense and tidy clearances, which kept second chances to a minimum.

By the numbers

Shots on goal: Montclair 46, Montgomery 10
Penalty corners (attempted): Montclair 9, Montgomery 5
Goalkeepers: Montgomery — Rounds 26 saves; Montclair — Bernardyn 4 saves
Defensive saves (Montgomery): Soron, Lopez, Obe, Benedict (1 each)

Scoring summary

3rd: Montclair — Angelillo (Alway)

1st: Montclair — Cowart (Anderson); Gorman; Alway (Cowart); Angelillo (Cowart)

2nd: Montclair — Cowart (Gorman)

Volleyball – Bridgewater-Raritan sweeps Montgomery in NJSIAA first round

BRIDGEWATER, N.J. — Facing one of the state’s hottest teams, Montgomery’s season ended in the NJSIAA first round Tuesday as No. 3 Bridgewater-Raritan rolled to a straight-set win, 25–17, 25–17, 25–18.

Bridgewater-Raritan (25–3) set the tone from the service line and never really lifted the pressure, piling up 16 aces—Camille Hilton and Reese Albano struck seven apiece—Ella Sorenson steered the attack with 34 assists. At the pins, Jahniah Bishop (14 kills) and Ava Marvuglio (11) supplied most of the finishing, and the Panthers’ floor defense swallowed up rallies behind 65 digs, led by Marvuglio (20) and Katelyn Phan (16).

Montgomery (3–22) had its best stretches late in the second and third sets, closing to within two points each time before the hosts’ serving runs broke things open. Anna Braem paced the Cougars with 8 kills and an ace, while Ritisha Mungi handed out 15 assists. Maya Flores anchored the back row with 16 digs and an ace, and Polar Zacherau and Luiza Honorio chipped in 8 digs each. Middle Pooja Venkat was a bright spot at the net with 6 blocks. Anita Balashova and Zacherau each added an ace.

Despite the sweep, Montgomery showed resilience, especially in serve-receive after a rough opening rotation. The Cougars erased multiple three-point bursts in the second and again in the third before Bridgewater-Raritan’s depth and pace took hold.

By the numbers

Montgomery leaders: Braem 8 K, 1 ace; Mungi 15 A; Flores 16 D, 1 ace; Zacherau 8 D, 1 ace; Honorio 8 D; Venkat 6 B; Balashova 1 ace

Set scores: BR 25–17, 25–17, 25–18

Bridgewater-Raritan leaders: Bishop 14 K; Marvuglio 11 K, 20 D, 1 ace; Sorenson 34 A, 1 ace; Hilton 7 aces, 10 D; Albano 7 aces; Phan 16 D

Boys Soccer – North Brunswick stuns Montgomery in OT, 1–0, in NJSIAA first round

Montgomery’s postseason run ended in sudden death as North Brunswick edged the Cougars 1–0 in overtime in an NJSIAA first-round boys soccer match.

After 80 scoreless minutes, the Raiders (11–9) broke through in extra time when Chris Licona buried the winner off a set-up from Bayron Banos Bautista. The goal stood as the lone tally on a night dominated by disciplined defending and goalkeeping on both ends.

Montgomery (15–4–1) generated the better of the chances in regulation with a 6–4 edge in shots on frame, but Alex Andino turned aside six saves to keep North Brunswick level. Cougars keeper Luke Oliu matched the poise at the other end, recording four saves before the OT decider.

By the numbers

Scoring: OT — NB: Licona (Banos Bautista)

Final: North Brunswick 1, Montgomery 0 (OT)

Shots on goal: MHS 6, NB 4

Goalkeepers: NB — Andino 6 saves; MHS — Oliu 4 saves

Photo Credit: Nicholas Mistretta/headlinenewsmontgomery.com