Through its first 14 games, the Southern Regional field hockey team’s offense averaged about two goals per contest. On average, the defense allowed one.

During the Shore Conference Tournament last week, the Rams registered two shutouts and scored only three goals – enough when the defense is doing a phenomenal job.

“Our defense definitely has been the strength of our team,” said junior defensive midfielder Mackenzie Sininsky, who scored one of the two goals to lift the fourth-seeded Rams past 13th-seeded St. Rose, 2-0, in the SCT’s first round on Oct. 22. “Defense wins championships, and when our defense steps up, the energy has to transfer to our offense. Recently, that’s been happening.”

After scoring more than two goals in just two games during their first 11 games, the Rams found more of their scoring touch during 3-2 and 5-0 wins against Rumson-Fair Haven and Freehold Township several weeks ago, then scored twice in a 3-2 loss to Eastern. So, yes, Southern’s offense has been more effective at sending the ball into the cage with more frequency.

However, the second meetings with the Purples Roses and Bulldogs weren’t quite the scoring fest. After beating St. Rose by a two-goal margin, the Rams scored just once against Rumson to snag a 1-0 win on Oct. 24.

“We’re getting there on offense,” said Faith Bruther, who scored on a penalty stroke for Southern’s second goal against the Purple Roses. “We’re doing a better job on offense, getting more corners and scoring opportunities. We wanted to win this one and try to get a rhythm, and I think we have one right now.”

BLISTERING SHOT: Southern Regional’s Faith Bruther delivers a high shot on goal after being awarded a penalty stroke during the fourth quarter of the Rams’ SCT win on Oct. 22.

Following a scoreless first period, Sininsky came through during the final minutes of the second to put the Rams on top for good.

As the clock neared the two-minute mark, Sininsky ran onto a ball that deflected off a St. Rose defender’s leg after it was played ahead by Bruther from near midfield. Sininsky beat several defenders to the ball and carried into the circle, going one-on-one with opposing goaltender Ava Matelski. Sinisky faked a shot to draw out Matelski, then slipped the ball past her left pad and calmly buried the ball into the goal from a few yards out.

With most of the third period gone by, Bruther received a golden opportunity to give the Rams (10-5-1) a two-goal advantage when Matelski was whistled for obstructing Southern by lying on the ball in the crease. Awarded a penalty stroke, Bruther stepped to the spot and fired a shot to the top left corner of the goal for a 2-0 lead.

“It’s really nerve-racking, especially when everybody’s standing there watching,” Bruther said. “You have to pretend it’s just you and the goaltender and try to get a good shot on goal.”

With 3:50 left in the game, Bruther had a similar chance to make it a three-goal contest when she was awarded another penalty stroke. The junior sent another shot, this time a bit higher toward the right corner, but Matelski knocked it aside with her stick to keep St. Rose in the game.

It didn’t matter. Southern goaltender Makayla Lutz needed just two saves to help preserve the shutout and advance to the quarterfinals. The Rams sent 21 shots on goal.

BURY IT: Southern Regional junior Mackenzie Sininsky makes a move on the opposing goaltender to score the first goal of the game on Oct. 22. The Rams won, 2-0.

On Oct. 24, Southern needed just one goal to beat Rumson-Fair Haven. The only goal, unassisted by Sininsky, was scored in the third period.

“A lot has changed during the past month,” Sininsky said. “We’ve had some ups and downs, but we’re on our way up right now and we have a lot in front of us. Many of our new girls have stepped up recently, and now we have a strong defense and midfield line. We’re getting the ball ahead to the forwards a lot better.”

The Rams will need to maintain that offensive prowess if they intend to stay alive in the tournament. They squared off against top-seeded Shore on Tuesday, Oct. 27 in the semifinals, with the winner slated to meet either second-seeded Wall or third-seeded Point Borough in the final on Saturday, Oct. 31 in Holmdel.

“We have a lot of girls in the midfield who are really good and can get the ball into the circle. We just have to finish our chances,” Sininsky said. “Against Shore or Borough, we may only get a couple of breakaway opportunities or a few quality shots. We have to know what we’re doing with the ball when it gets into the circle and lock in.

“We have to go into every game knowing we have a chance. With our grit and intensity, we have a chance to win any game. We have to believe it.”