THE RECORDS: Scotch Plains-Fanwood entered its home game Tuesday against Gov. Livingston having lost its last two games 1-0 to Watching Hills and Westfield. The Raiders had an overall record of 2-2, with victories over Cranford and Kearny.
The Gov. Livingston Highlanders opened their season with three straight shutouts and came to the match undefeated at 4-0.
The Raiders won the last three meetings between the two teams by scores of 3-2, 3-0, and 2-1 in the quarterfinals of the 2010 Union County Tournament.
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The Score: 2-2 (OT).
Gov. Livingston got on the scoreboard first with a controversial goal by senior Jessica Jankowski. In the eighth minute, Scotch Plains defenders stopped playing, believing that the referee had blown his whistle. Jankowski, however, kept the ball moving and ultimately put the Highlanders ahead 1-0.
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Eight minutes later, the Raiders fired back with a header by senior Sarah VanBuskirk off of a cross from senior Erin Pierce.
The score remained tied at one goal apiece for the rest of the half, but that quickly changed when Jankowski received a pass from her sister, sophomore Lauren Jankowski, to score her second goal.
Raider Sarah VanBuskirk answered six minutes later, scoring the equalizer off an assist from senior Jackie Mains.
Despite 32 minutes remaining in regulation, neither team could put in another goal. The game went into overtime, where Scotch Plains aggressively took control and had Gov. Livingston on its heels. But in the end, 20 minutes more was not enough to break the 2-2 stalemate.
THE QUOTES: “It seemed like everyone stopped, but I heard play on,” Highlanders forward Jessica Jankowski said about her first goal.
“I know that we’re better than them,” Raiders forward Sarah VanBuskirk said. “We should have beaten this team.”
“Against a team as skillful as Scotch Plains, we try to minimize mistakes,” Gov. Livingston coach Mike Roof stated. “Kevin [Ewing, head coach for Scotch Plains] is one hell of a coach.”
THE HEROES: VanBuskirk scored two goals and nearly hit the game-winner in the final minute of regulation.
Jankowski provided both of the go-ahead goals for Gov. Livingston, including a strike from outside the 18-yard box.
Pierce earned an assist on a beautiful cross to VanBuskirk to tie the game early in the first half.
WHAT'S NEXT: The Highlanders will play host to Rahway on Thursday at 4 p.m.
