By DREW FASY
The Ocean City High School girls lacrosse team is going to the semifinal round of the South Jersey Group 3 state playoff tournament following an 11-7 victory over Clearview Regional High School on Wednesday afternoon at Carey Stadium.
Clearview entered the tournament ranked fifth with a 10-9 record. They defeated Lacey Township High School, 15-6, in the opening round.
Ocean City defeated Toms River South, 19-2, in the opening round. The Red Raiders are ranked fourth in South Jersey, with a record of 15-5 entering the state tournament.
The Red Raiders won the Cape Atlantic League championship for the third consecutive year, beating Holy Spirit High School, 12-9.
Ocean City senior Delainey Sutley, a Rutgers University commit, a 2023 High School All-American and 2024 All South Jersey offensive player, won nine draws and led all players with five goals.
Kelsea Cooke had two goals and four other Ocean City players each scored a goal.
“I’m really proud of our defense today. Together as a unit they played very smart, very controlled, and team-focused defense, which created opportunities for us on the offensive side of the field,” Ocean City Head Coach Lesley Graham said.
Red Raider goalie Presley Green made 11 saves. Julianna Duff, an All South Jersey defensive player and University of Rhode Island commit, led Ocean City’s defensive effort.
Ocean City will visit No. 1 seed Moorestown on Monday, June 3, in the semifinal round. The South Jersey championship game will be held on Wednesday, June 5.
“We will face perennial powerhouse Moorestown in the semifinal round, but if we execute and prepare, there is no doubt in our team’s ability to win the game,” Graham said.
