The third and fourth quarters proved to be a defensive stalemate. Kent Place scored its only goal less than a minute into the third quarter to increase its lead to 9-5, but that was it for the Dragons as MKA cut the lead to 9-6 with just two seconds left in the third, and made it 9-7 on Dawes’ third goal of the game with 8:25 left in the fourth quarter.

Each team’s standout goalie, Arizona State-bound Reagan Larson for the Dragons, and University of Chicago commit Ella Freeman for MKA, made splendid saves in the game’s final minutes and Kent Place was able to hold possession to eat up the final couple of minutes.

Kent Place has fallen victim to Oak Knoll in the past few seasons, including in both the Union County Tournament semifinals and prep A tournament final last spring.

Now, the more experienced Dragons are ready to take the next step out of the shadow of Oak Knoll and other state powers.

“The majority of our girls have played on the varsity since their freshmen years and most of us have played with each other for a long time now,” said Caitlyn Quinn. “We owe a lot to our coach, and Addison and me are fortunate enough that she is also our mom, and she is great in the way she coaches our team ‘up.’

“Our goal this season is to prove that Kent Place is no longer an underdog and that we can create a name for ourselves.”  

NJIGLL Stars & Stripes White Division Game, Thursday, April 23 in Montclair:

KENT PLACE (8-0, 4-0) 7    1    1   0   - 9
MKA (5-4, 2-2)                1     4   1   1    -7

Goals: Kent Place: Addison Quinn 3, Caitlyn Quinn 2, Kaitlyn Troiano 2, Molly Brozowski 1, Cate Collins 1

MKA: Sloane Dawes 3, Bebe Scuorzo 2, Payton Sullivan 1, Maggie Murphy 1                         

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