Madison Field Hockey Wins County Title 2-1 over Parsippany

“You demanded perfection. Now, I aint sayin I’m perfect, cause I’m not and I aint never gonna be, none of us are. But we have won every single game we have played ‘till now. So, this team is…perfect. We stepped out on that field that way tonight and if its all the same to you Coach Boone, that’s how we wanna leave it.” (Remember The Titans) Perfection is what MHS field hockey had been chasing since they began practice in June for the 2012 season, and up until then, that is what they had achieved. With a 15-0 record, and only 11 goals scored against them, the team took on the Morris County Tournament with the tenacity and mindset to go all the way. That night, October 17, achieved their goal. Sitting together and watching clips from Remember the Titans, the team mentally prepared for the final match of the tournament against Parsippany Hills Red Hawks, which would determine the Morris County Tournament champions. Both teams were entering the final match undefeated. One team would walk off that field no longer perfect. Late in the first half junior Katie Battaglia put the first goal in for the Lady Dodgers, putting the score up 1-0. That lead was taken away in the second half when a lucky breakaway by the Red Hawks resulted in a goal. Tied 1-1 the Lady Dodgers needed another goal or else the game would go into overtime. The words cheered after the half time huddle, “She who has the will to win can not be beaten” were truly shown when senior Tori Ellis received the ball, and took the shot that put the ball into the back corner of the cage, giving Madison their second goal over Parsippany. Madison held on to the lead until the final whistle. Teammates and coaches stormed the field, some celebrating their first county title, others celebrating the last of their high school career. 16 and 0 the girls had maintained their undefeated record. “We stepped on to this field perfect,” Coach Anne Davies said as the team huddled up for a cheer, “And we’re leaving this field perfect!”