High School Field Hockey: New Egypt Controls Both Halves against St. Joseph Tuesday, November 15, 2005 By Susan Hall SJSports Special Correspondent St. Joseph Hammonton captured the South Jersey Group I title and were beginning their quest towards the state championship. Standing in their way were the Warriors from New Egypt who were the winners of the Central Group I bracket. Both of their previous number one seed status would be thrown away for now and their new seeding in this years Group I state title would begin. Four first half goals scored by New Egypt completely controlled the outcome of this game held at Bishop Eustace Prep School. Shannon Houston and Sara Messinger both finished the game with two goals apiece and the Lady Warriors from New Egypt would be advancing to their third straight state title game. New Egypt will now play Pingry after defeating St Joseph by an 8-1 margin. Knowing how hard it is to even make it to the state finals gives players more than enough motivation to compete at their highest level. The Lady Warriors have been in this position too many times and were looking to change things up a bit. Their previous two trips to the Group I State finals resulted in a loss and the Warriors knew that they had to win this game before worrying about the next. When Sara Messinger scored the first goal of the game for New Egypt, it was a since of calmness knowing that it would take more than one goal to win this game especially with Kati DiNatale on the field for St. Joseph. With just over sixteen minutes remaining in the half, Houston’s back to back goals and Brittany Kennedy expanded the Warriors lead to 4-0. DiNatale would score St. Joseph’s only goal of the game before the half ended. Brittney Horner Margaret Ecke and Lisa Malloy accounted for the other goals scored for the Warriors. Photos by Art Redd