Ice hockey team wins first two games

The West Milford/Pequannock co-op ice hockey team has gotten off to a strong start, totaling 11 goals in winning its first two games last weekend.

On Sunday night, Dec. 10, the Highlanders posted a 6-2 victory over Passaic Tech at the Ice Vault Arena in Wayne.

John Biegel scored twice, Aiden Lindgren and Timmy Riche each had a goal and two assists, Joe Barroquerio had a goal and an assist, Sean Hughes scored once, and Jake Pedicone assisted twice to back the 36-save performance from Nick Lombardo.

In its season-opening game Friday, Dec. 8, West Milford/Pequannock (2-0) earned a 5-1 victory over Lakeland at the Ice Vault. The team was led by Hughes, who had a goal and two assists, and Kyle Gregory and Carson McGuire, who each added a goal and an assist. Anthony Weisse also tallied.

Goetz scored the first goal of the game - and the season - when he connected just 1:12 into the first period. Lombardo, a senior goalie, anchored the defense with 31 saves.

The Highlanders, 5-13-3 last season, are scheduled to play Mahwah at 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15 at the Ice Vault Arena.

Other winter sports teams begin play this week. Here is a look:

Boys basketball

West Milford will look to improve on last year’s 7-20 record when it opens its 2023-24 campaign at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 14 at home against Paramus.

The Highlanders then will take to the road to play at Clifton at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 16 and at Waldwick at 4:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 18.

Juniors Ognjen Ljusic (7.4 points per game), Dean Deaver (7 ppg) and Tyler Liguori (6.5 ppg) are all back to pace the offense for head coach Mac Morando.

Girls basketball

West Milford returns top scorers senior Avery Vacca (8.9 ppg), juniors Laurel Space (7.4 ppg) and Adison Arciniega (7.1 ppg), and sophomore Sarah Benowitz (4.7 ppg) as its season starts at 4 p.m. Dec. 14 at Paramus.

The Highlanders then return home to play host to Clifton at 1 p.m. Dec. 16 and to Ramsey at 4:15 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 19.

Wrestling

West Milford will aim to continue its success from last year’s 18-5 season.

The Highlanders finished fourth at the Passaic County Tournament with now seniors Benjamin Marchetto (113 pounds), Colin Menier (132) and Spencer Ribitzki (285) each winning individual championships.

Marchetto and Ribitzki then each reached the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) state tournament at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City but didn’t place in the top eight.

West Milford is scheduled to start its 2023-24 season at 5 p.m. Dec. 15 when it wrestles at Passaic Tech.

The Highlanders then will take part in the Dover Holiday Tournament along with Johnson, Dover, Lenape Valley, North Warren, Roxbury, Summit, Union, Wayne Hills and West Orange beginning at 9 a.m. Dec. 16.

Bowling

The Highlanders are scheduled to meet Fair Lawn at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 19 at the Holiday Bowl in Oakland before clashing with Wayne Hills at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 21 at T-Bowl Lanes in Wayne.

Indoor track

The track team will take part in the Paul Schwartz Invitational starting at 4:30 p.m. Dec. 21 at Rockland Community College in Suffern, N.Y.