Playoff Schedule in Limbo for WD Soccer, Field Hockey

As many schools in the area return to class today, focus is shifting to making up NJSIAA state playoff games washed out earlier this week by superstorm Sandy. This has resulted in a major shuffle in the schedule for football, boys' and girls' soccer and field hockey.

For West Deptford's teams, it could make for a long wait. The boys' soccer team was able to get in its first round playoff game at Lower Cape May on Saturday morning. They won that match 1-0, allowing them to continue on to play Haddonfield in the second round.

The NJSIAA is hoping to complete first round action for boys' soccer by Thursday and the second round by Saturday, according to press release sent out earlier this week. West Deptford athletic director Tim Cammarota said that the goal is to play the game by Saturday, though with Haddonfield school district still closed as of Wednesday, a date has yet to be determined.

The status for girls' soccer and field hockey is even more up in the air. The girls' soccer team is slated to play Atlantic Tech in the first round, while field hockey is scheduled to host Middle Township in round two after earning a first-round bye. According to Cammarota, both of those games will be played once those schools re-open as well. With the devastating effects of Sandy in those respective areas, there's no set date for those games to be played. The NJSIAA hopes to start the first round of the girls' soccer tournament by Friday.

It is expected that this Friday's football game between West Deptford and Haddonfield will go on as scheduled. However, the state playoffs may be pushed back a week by the state. The NJSIAA said it will push back the start of playoffs if every school in the state is not able to return to class this week. With that looking like a strong possibility, given the number of power outages throughout New Jersey, there's a chance that the Eagles may have a week off the weekend of Nov. 9-10.

Check back with West Deptford Patch for updated information on the rescheduling of playoff games.