WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2025
There were just two quarterfinal games involving Morris/Sussex area teams on Wednesday. Here’s a recap of each.
Randolph 3, Passaic Tech 1
Third-seeded Randolph is off to the sectional semifinals once again, as it took down sixth-seeded Passaic Tech in the quarterfinals of the North, Public tournament at SportsCare Arena in Randolph.
Shane Melly scored twice, with Jase Zangara and Brian Cislo each recording two assists for the Rams. Jacob Campbell also scored, while Quincy Mitchell made 15 saves in the win.
Max Bernice scored the lone goal for Passaic Tech. Randolph outshot Passaic Tech, 30-15 in the game.
Randolph advanced to the sectional semifinals for the second-straight year, where it will take on the winner of tomorrow’s quarterfinal game between second-seeded Livingston and 10th-seeded Morristown. It is now 18-5 on the season.
West Essex-Caldwell 3, Park Regional 2
Park Regional, seeded 12th in the North, Public Co-Op bracket, had hopes of continuing its season into the sectional semifinals for its deepest state tournament run since 1995.
After upsetting fifth-seeded Wayne in the first round, it had its eyes on another upset, this time of fourth-seeded West Essex-Caldwell. But despite a spirited effort, Park Regional fell, 3-2 to West Essex-Caldwell and saw its season come to an end in the North, Public Co-Op quarterfinals at Codey Arena.
Patrick Devaney and Connor Maniscalco each scored in the second period to put West Essex-Caldwell up 2-0. But Park Regional came roaring back, with Michael Capozzi scoring 1:42 later, before Chase Olszewski tied it up shortly thereafter. West Essex’s Ryan McInerney scored what proved to be the game-winning goal with 2:01 to go in the second.
Despite some good scoring chances, especially late, Park Regional was unable to find the tying goal. Its season came to an end with a 13-8-2 record. But with a good chunk of its core expected to return next year, the future is very promising for this program.
West Essex-Caldwell will face the winner of Thursday’s quarterfinal between top-seeded Pascack Regional and fourth-seeded KJS United, in the semifinals on Monday.
Follow me on BlueSky: @mikegurnis.bsky.social
E-mail Mike Gurnis at michaelgurnis@gmail.com
Morris-Sussex Hockey Report 