Shore Conference Tournament: An Unexpected Upset
The Shore Conference Tournament quarterfinals delivered a surprise as Trinity Hall, a smaller program, knocked off three-time defending champion Rumson-Fair Haven by a 6-0 margin.
The decisive score came when sophomore quarterback Sonia DeRosa connected with Niamh Stapleton on a three-yard touchdown pass, capping a drive that was set up by a fourth-and-1 pass that the defense batted down.
Rumson-Fair Haven, which had not lost since the 2023 regular season, saw its championship streak snapped, prompting coach Randy Kalman to reflect on the team’s three-year run while acknowledging the turning point.
Trinity Hall will now host Middletown South in the semifinals, while Barnegat prepares to meet Central in the other matchup, with the championship game slated for May 21 at the highest remaining seed.
Beyond the scoreboard, the win underscores the resilience of a program that outscored its first nine opponents 281-63 this season, and it has sparked optimism among players and fans alike.