GL Girls Fencing Team Faces Rival Tonight for Chance to Advance to State Final

In the world of high school fencing, it doesn't get much better than this -- Gov. Livingston versus Northern Highlands -- featuring the top two girls squads in the entire state -- going toe to toe tonight in the state team semi-final round.

Lady Highlanders head coach Vince Paragano knows that balance throughout the lineup has been a big key to success this season.

"The girls' team this season has been really focused," noted Paragano. "We have very good balance -- all three weapons groups are very good, as our 2nd-2nd-3rd place squad finishes showed in winning the overall Santelli Tournament earlier this season.  However, none of our weapons groups could be classified as the best in the state...yet."  

GL (the # 1 seed), will need every bit of their talent -- and confidence -- as they take on a Northern Highlands team who not only is regarded as the top team statewide, but also holds a reminder of last years' state tournament -- when they defeated the Highlanders on their way to the overall team state championship. 

"As a group, we are as good or better than any other team out there," added Paragano. "The season has been unusual in that the girls' have usually been even-tempered.  We had one bump in the road with the regular season-ending loss to Montgomery (our only loss this season thus far).   However, that loss had the effect of a wake up call and really got everyone sharpened for the Great-8 win against West Windsor South."

The match, which will take place starting at 7:00 p.m. at Columbia Middle School in Berkeley Heights, will hold its share of interesting story lines -- with eyes focused on GL's epee star, sophomore Colleen Reilly. With another year of high-level competition under her belt, the former Patch Athlete of the Week will be one of the keys as these two teams meet in the states for the third consecutive year. 

"The are three keys to tonight's meet," said Paragano. "First, stay close with them in Foil and Saber, no small task since they are the best around. Two, go 9-0 or 8-1 in Epee, where we should hold a big advantage. Three, play hard all 27 bouts and don't get down emotionally if we get behind.   We are good enough to play catch-up, but we cannot let ourselves get out of it mentally."