Bishop Eustace

Zac Gallen's strength as a pitcher is his pinpoint accuracy. Location was a factor in Gallen's college decision, too. Gallen, a senior righthander for Bishop Eustace, said he chose North Carolina over Oklahoma State because the Atlantic Coast Conference school is closer to home. "It's an easier drive for my parents," Gallen said. Gallen said he committed to North Carolina after visiting Oklahoma State last weekend. Gallen also visited Louisiana State, although he said his decision came down to North Carolina and Oklahoma State.

Deptford capped a wild fourth quarter with a last-minute touchdown to beat Bishop Eustace, 35-34, in a West Jersey Royal football game Friday night. Anthony Parsons' second touchdown run of the game, a 9-yarder, put Deptford (3-2, 3-1) ahead with less than a minute remaining. In a last-ditch effort, Bishop Eustace drove to the edge of field-goal range before Deptford forced a fumbleThe Crusaders (2-2, 1-2) had taken advantage of a fumbled kickoff by Deptford in the fourth quarter to claim a 34-28 lead.

Playing goalie against the field hockey team that is ranked No. 1 in the nation, Alex Pecora knew she would be in the middle of the action. That was the good news. "No pressure, no fun," said Pecora, Bishop Eustace's standout senior. The bigger news Monday night was that both goalies were busy as Bishop Eustace and Eastern, which is No. 1 in the topofthecircle.com national rankings, played a fast-paced game with lots of scoring chances at both ends of the field. Pecora, who is headed to Iowa on a scholarship, made 14 saves - including a spectacular diving deflection of a penalty stroke and several sliding stops.

Playing goalie against the field hockey team that is ranked No. 1 in the nation, Alex Pecora knew she would be in the middle of the action. That was the good news. "No pressure, no fun," said Pecora, Bishop Eustace's standout senior. The bigger news on Monday night was that both goalies were busy as Bishop Eustace and Eastern, which is No. 1 in the topofthecircle.com national rankings, played a fast-paced game with lots of scoring chances at both ends of the field. Pecora, who is headed to Iowa on a scholarship, made 14 saves - including a spectacular diving deflection of a penalty stroke and several sliding stops.

On too many occasions, soccer players on all levels play it safe, which is why it's refreshing to watch Bishop Eustace senior Nicolette Wilkins compete. She truly lives up to her position as an attacking midfielder. Wilkins thrives on the challenge of taking on a defender one on one. "In terms of training, even with little kids, coaches are so tactical, and it often takes away the creativity and we are not as creative, as, say, the Europeans who are really dynamic," Eustace second-year coach Lindsey Finnegan said.

On too many occasions, soccer players on all levels play it safe, which is why it's refreshing to watch Bishop Eustace senior Nicolette Wilkins compete. She truly lives up to her position: attacking midfielder. Wilkins thrives on the challenge of taking on a defender one on one. "In terms of training, even with little kids, coaches are so tactical, and it often takes away the creativity. . . . We are not as creative as, say, the Europeans, who are really dynamic," said Eustace's second-year coach Lindsey Finnegan.

Seneca tied the score late in regulation before scoring quickly in overtime on Wednesday afternoon, as the host Golden Eagles topped Bishop Eustace, 2-1, in an Olympic Conference girls' soccer match. Seneca was scoreless before Brynn McDougall tied the score at 1 with three minutes left. Danielle Hubbs then scored the winner two minutes into overtime. Taylor Donia and Kelsey O'Brien combined for 10 saves to post the win. Taylor Tralie scored in the first half for Eustace, and Elyse Sullivan had four saves.

Conner Bor still is learning how to play football. Maybe somebody should tell him he doesn't need to do everything. "I wanted to have him returning punts and kickoffs because he's our fastest player," Bishop Eustace coach Rob Cormier said. "But a couple of our coaches told me, 'Coach, we need to give him a little rest and have a chance to talk to him.' " Bor, a 6-foot-1, 205-pound senior, isn't on the field when Eustace (2-0) returns kickoffs and punts. He's the Crusaders' center of attention the rest of the time.

As many goalies do, Camden Catholic senior Isabella Dolente likes a little action in front of her net. But all that traffic Tuesday was nearly too much of a good thing. "The whole second half, it seemed like it never stopped," Dolente said of the pressure created by Bishop Eustace during a fast-paced clash of two of South Jersey's best field hockey teams. Dolente and the Irish withstood the assault and emerged with a 2-1 victory in an Olympic Conference National Division game on Bishop Eustace's artificial turf field.