By LESLEY GRAHAM
Ocean City High School’s girls soccer team blanked the visiting Lower Cape May Tigers on Monday afternoon, 9-0.
The win improves the Red Raiders’ record to 7-0-1, while Lower drops to 1-5.
The teams, which just played each other last Thursday, met again with the same outcome – a shutout in Ocean City’s favor. The Red Raiders outscored the Tigers a combined 18-0 in both games.
With one of the top-producing offenses in the state, Ocean City showcased its one two-punch with Summer Reimet and Faith Slimmer dominating the scoreboard.
Reimet, a junior who has committed to Monmouth University, led the team with four goals and an assist. Slimmer, who is a graduating senior headed to Rutgers University to play next fall, added two goals while assisting on four others.
The first half saw the Red Raiders chip in three goals. Reimet was able to get her first of the game with 10 minutes ticked off the game clock.
The Tigers stepped up their defensive efforts, keeping the Red Raiders off the scoreboard until less than two minutes left to play in the half. Slimmer was able to get two quick goals in a matter of a minute, the second coming on an assist from Kelsey White.
As the second half got underway, Ocean City didn’t hold back, finding the back of the net six more times, the first coming just 30 seconds into the half.
Reimet added three more consecutive goals in a 10-minute span, with Slimmer assisting on all of them. Hope Slimmer, Riley Fortna and Mckenna Chisholm rounded out the goal scoring for the Red Raiders.
Ocean City Head Coach Lisa Cuneo was happy with how her team played.
“Faith (Slimmer) had four assists today. She’s not only a goal scorer but she leads our team in assists as well,” Cuneo said. “Summer finished on her shots today and we were able to get Riley Fortna, who plays center back, in on the offensive action.”
The Red Raiders are back in action Tuesday, on the road for their last regular season game against Egg Harbor Township. The Raiders, the 2019 defending state champions, will then begin their postseason run as a surprising No. 2 seed. They will play Vineland at home next Tuesday.
Even though the playoffs will be different than in years past, and there is no run for a second consecutive state championship, Cuneo said they are still excited about the postseason.
“We are looking forward to the atmosphere being more intense – the trophy at the end of the tunnel, so to speak. Even if it’s not the same, it is still something to play for, and that is ultimately the most important thing,” Cuneo said.
