After losing to Chatham in last season’s North Jersey, Section 2, Group 3 semifinals, second-seeded Cranford made it one step further this year by defeating third-seeded Middletown South 5-4 in Cranford.

Isabella Reibarkh led the way for Cranford (15-3-1) with two goals and two assists, while Ava Cao netted two goals.

Cranford trailed 2-1 at halftime, but stormed back in the second half by outscoring Middletown North 4-2.

Cranford will make its first North Jersey, Section 2, Group 3 finals appearance since 2018 and 2019.

The Cougars survived an upset attempt from Summit in the quarterfinals when Reibarkh scored an overtime goal to give her team a 2-1 victory.

Cranford won 13 of its last 14 games.

Bea Tinoco scored twice for Middletown South (11-8), while Riley Kapler and Delaney Finn

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