Coming into the Group 2 North 2 state softball semi-final game, Rutherford was considered a major underdog at Caldwell, a team many considered as the favorite to win the sectional championship.

To Lady Bulldogs head coach Helen Antzoulides, she said that, "nobody thought we were going to win the game."

Sixth-seeded Rutherford was coming off an impressive 2-1 victory over third-seeded High Tech on the road on May 24. The Lady Bulldogs were taking on the second-seeded Caldwell squad with one of the better pitchers in the state in Desi Giordano, who received a scholarship to play at Penn State University.

But Rutherford pitcher Veronica McGorry showed that she could stick with Giordano to start the game and the Lady Bulldogs would get their chances.

"We knew that they were the best team. She (Giordano) clearly was the best pitcher that we faced all year long," said Antzoulides. "Veronica out pitched their Penn State bound pitcher. She (McGorry) pitched very well down the stretch."

In the end though Rutherford would not take advantage of the pair of chances while the Lady Cougars did as the Lady Bulldogs were ousted, 1-0, by Caldwell on May 29.

"We just didn’t get the clutch it," said Antzoulides. "It was very frustrating in not scoring on the two chances."

While the loss was frustrating, it was even more so as Caldwell would go on and defeat West Essex, 2-1, for the Group 2 North 2 state sectional title.

With the game still scoreless, Caldwell had their only chance to score as McGorry gave up a walk to her counterpart Giordano. Giordano stole second and went over to third on an error while then scoring on a force play.

Earlier in the game the Lady Bulldogs had a shot to score with runners on second and third, but could not get what would turn out to be a vital equalizer.

And again in the top of the sixth inning, Rutherford had another shot to score first as runners were on second and third with one out including McGorry at third base. Again, the Lady Bulldogs came up empty.

While McGorry only gave up one run and fired a two-hitter, she also went 2-for-4 on the day with the bat. Tricia Connelly and Jessica Corcoran had a hit each for the Lady Bulldogs.

Despite the loss for the season, Rutherford went further in the state in addition to going further in the Bergen County. Another positive for the state tournament was the return of the Connelly who was feared to have suffered another concussion, but she was cleared to play catcher. She played half the game at catcher against Hi Tech and played the entire game against Caldwell.