OCEANPORT — The Notre Dame High girls soccer team had the blueprint for advancing in the Non-Public A South playoffs.
The sixth-seeded Irish executed it to perfection in knocking out third-seeded Immaculata in a shootout in the quarterfinals.
They repeated it in a battle with second-seeded Trinity Hall.
After 180 minutes of soccer against two of the top 15 teams in the state, Notre Dame had conceded just one goal.
Unfortunately, for Lauren Diaz and her Irish, a moment of brilliance from Trinity Hall freshman Anna Noble 14 minutes into the second half was enough to end ND’s run after a 1-0 setback on a frigid Monday evening at Maria Gatta Park.
“I’m extremely proud of the girls and the heart that they played with,” Diaz said. “Hopefully, we come away with belief that we can play with these teams and the confidence moving forward that we can compete in states.”
Trinity Hall’s Bette Kane, left, tries to move the ball away from Notre Dame’s Ava Sevinsky, right, during a Non-Public A South semifinal girls soccer game on Monday, Nov. 10, 2025 at Maria Gatta Park in Oceanport. (Kyle Franko/ Trentonian Photo)
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Trinity Hall’s Bette Kane, left, tries to move the ball away from Notre Dame’s Ava Sevinsky, right, during a Non-Public A South semifinal girls soccer game on Monday, Nov. 10, 2025 at Maria Gatta Park in Oceanport. (Kyle Franko/ Trentonian Photo)
Diaz knew chances would be at a premium for her side against Pat Trombetta’s Shore Conference runner-up, especially since the Irish were missing top scorer Avery Whittle, who was away with Finland’s U18 national team.
That meant the Irish would have to rely on senior standout Isabella Daley to marshal a strong defensive effort. Diaz paired the TCNJ-bound Daley with junior Amina Mitchell in a back four with fullbacks Chayse Frymire and Josephine Guido.
“We knew they were a very offensive team and our defense was going to have to show up,” Daley said. “I’m proud that we did. It was a good goal (they scored).”
Trombetta, who spent a good portion of his coaching career at Princeton Day, knew exactly what to expect from a CVC side.
“You knock out the No. 12 team in the state and they earned a lot of respect there,” Trombetta said. “They played a very similar style today defensively. They didn’t bend too much.”
The Monarchs (18-3-2) dominated possession in the first half, but other than a chance that Noble sailed wide of Kate Moog’s goal had little too show for the territorial advantage.
The Irish (15-8) were more adventurous in the second half — they put freshman Ava Sevinsky up top to try and generate some sort of attacking presence — but the game’s deciding moment came in the 54th minute.
Noble collected the ball on her left foot and ripped a shot just under the crossbar.
“I thought two goals were going to decide the game, but whoever scored the first goal was going to have the advantage,” Trombetta said. “The conditions weren’t that great with the wind.”
Turned out the home side only needed the one.
Notre Dame had three shots in the game — all in the second half — and the last of those from Sevinsky with six minutes left went just wide of the post.
“I know I’m a senior and I’m sad that I’m not coming back, but I’m more proud than sad,” Daley said. “Especially with our defense, from what we started as at the beginning of the season to now, it’s just so much growth. I just have more pride in this team than sadness and I can’t wait to see what they do next year.”
Notre Dame (15-8) 0 0 — 0
Trinity Hall (18-3-2) 0 1 — 1
Goals: Noble (TH). Shots: 3 (ND). 8 (TH). Saves: Moog 2 (ND). Venezia 1 (TH).
