In the title hunt

Vienna Pallisco, center, and Taylor Duffany of the Green Wave challenge the Falcons' Marissa Johnson during New Milford High School field hockey's 3-1 victory over Joel Barlow in the South-West Conference playoff semifinals at Immaculate High in Danbury. Nov. 4, 2012 Photo: Norm Cummings

Dedicated dads Marty Monteiro, left, and Ben Waldman follow the action including their respective daughters, Olivia Monteiro and Julia Waldman, during New Milford High School field hockey's 3-1 victory over Joel Barlow in the South-West Conference playoff semifinals at Immaculate High in Danbury. Nov. 4, 2012 Photo: Norm Cummings

Cristina Munoz plays some 'D' on the Falcons' Courtney Granfors as the Green Wave's Julia Waldman stands ready to lend a hand during New Milford High School field hockey's 3-1 victory over Joel Barlow in the South-West Conference playoff semifinals at Immaculate High in Danbury. Nov. 4, 2012 Photo: Norm Cummings

The stickwork of th Green Wave's Vienna Pallisco leaves yet another rival heading in the wrong direction during New Milford High School field hockey's 3-1 victory over Joel Barlow in the South-West Conference playoff semifinals at Immaculate High in Danbury. Nov. 4, 2012 Photo: Norm Cummings

Kristi Montemurro of the Green Wave speeds by a Falcon defender during New Milford High School field hockey's 3-1 victory over Joel Barlow in the South-West Conference playoff semifinals at Immaculate High in Danbury. Nov. 4, 2012 Photo: Norm Cummings

The Green Wave's Olivia Monteiro leaves a Falcon rival in her wake during New Milford High School field hockey's 3-1 victory over Joel Barlow in the South-West Conference playoff semifinals at Immaculate High in Danbury. Nov. 4, 2012 Photo: Norm Cummings

Vienna Pallisco sets a Green Wave penalty corner play in motion during New Milford High School field hockey's 3-1 victory over Joel Barlow in the South-West Conference playoff semifinals at Immaculate High in Danbury. Nov. 4, 2012 Photo: Norm Cummings

Olivia Monteiro of the Green Wave races by a Falcon defender en route to scoring the first NMHS goal during New Milford High School field hockey's 3-1 victory over Joel Barlow in the South-West Conference playoff semifinals at Immaculate High in Danbury. Nov. 4, 2012 Photo: Norm Cummings

Olivia Monteiro of the Green Wave shrugs off the defensive efforts of a Falcon player on her way to scoring the first NMHS goal during New Milford High School field hockey's 3-1 victory over Joel Barlow in the South-West Conference playoff semifinals at Immaculate High in Danbury. Nov. 4, 2012 Photo: Norm Cummings

Olivia Monteiro (11) and Taylor Duffany (20) of the Green Wave poise before celebrating Olivia's goal during New Milford High School field hockey's 3-1 victory over Joel Barlow in the South-West Conference playoff semifinals at Immaculate High in Danbury. Nov. 4, 2012 Photo: Norm Cummings

Celebrating the Green Wave's first goal are, from left to right, Taylor Duffany (20), Olivia Monteiro (11), Kristi Montemurro (30), Lindsey Heaton (37) and Emily Sanders (5) during New Milford High School field hockey's 3-1 victory over Joel Barlow in the South-West Conference playoff semifinals at Immaculate High in Danbury. Less enthusiastic about this turn of events is a Falcon defender standing in the far corner of the cage. Nov. 4, 2012 Photo: Norm Cummings

Kristi Montemurro of the Green Wave is in full flight in the Falcon backfield during New Milford High School field hockey's 3-1 victory over Joel Barlow in the South-West Conference playoff semifinals at Immaculate High in Danbury. Nov. 4, 2012 Photo: Norm Cummings

The Falcon defense is on its heels as the Green Wave's Kristi Montemurro races deep into the offensive zone during New Milford High School field hockey's 3-1 victory over Joel Barlow in the South-West Conference playoff semifinals at Immaculate High in Danbury. Nov. 4, 2012 Photo: Norm Cummings

Cristina Munoz of the Green Wave shovels a pass to a Green Wave teammate as NMHS' Kristi Montemurro looks on during New Milford High School field hockey's 3-1 victory over Joel Barlow in the South-West Conference playoff semifinals at Immaculate High in Danbury. Nov. 4, 2012 Photo: Norm Cummings

NMHS athletic director Lance Pliego relies on his experience as a trainer to tape up Green Wave stalwart Olivia Monteiro as coaches Dawn Hough, Kelsey Heaton and Jen Wyslick look on at halftime during New Milford High School field hockey's 3-1 victory over Joel Barlow in the South-West Conference playoff semifinals at Immaculate High in Danbury. Nov. 4, 2012 Photo: Norm Cummings

Brianna Reda of the Green Wave turns the corner past Falcon defender Courtney Granfors during New Milford High School field hockey's 3-1 victory over Joel Barlow in the South-West Conference playoff semifinals at Immaculate High in Danbury. Nov. 4, 2012 Photo: Norm Cummings

The Green Wave's Brianna Reda delivers a storng crossing pass in spite of a Falcon rival's efforts during New Milford High School field hockey's 3-1 victory over Joel Barlow in the South-West Conference playoff semifinals at Immaculate High in Danbury. Nov. 4, 2012 Photo: Norm Cummings

Olivia Monteiro of the Green Wave follows through on her smash on goal that resulted in NMHS' second goal during New Milford High School field hockey's 3-1 victory over Joel Barlow in the South-West Conference playoff semifinals at Immaculate High in Danbury. Nov. 4, 2012 Photo: Norm Cummings

Falcon netminder Sam Scavo can only stare at the ball as Green Wave senior Cristina Munoz celebrates her team's second score during New Milford High School field hockey's 3-1 victory over Joel Barlow in the South-West Conference playoff semifinals at Immaculate High in Danbury. Nov. 4, 2012 Photo: Norm Cummings

The Green Wave's Olivia Monteiro (11) celebrates her second goal of the match with teammates Emily Sanders (5) and Julia Waldman (14) during New Milford High School field hockey's 3-1 victory over Joel Barlow in the South-West Conference playoff semifinals at Immaculate High in Danbury. Nov. 4, 2012 Photo: Norm Cummings

Veteran Green Wave mentor Dawn Hough paces the sidelines during New Milford High School field hockey's 3-1 victory over Joel Barlow in the South-West Conference playoff semifinals at Immaculate High in Danbury. Nov. 4, 2012 Photo: Norm Cummings

The Green Wave's Cristina Munoz prepares to pass to a teammate as NMHS' Corinne Heymach looks on during New Milford High School field hockey's 3-1 victory over Joel Barlow in the South-West Conference playoff semifinals at Immaculate High in Danbury. Nov. 4, 2012 Photo: Norm Cummings

Green Wave teammates Cristina Munoz, background, and Kristi Montemurro (30) poise for a possible tip as NMHS' Emily Sanders (5) does her best to finesse the ball into the scoring zone during New Milford High School field hockey's 3-1 victory over Joel Barlow in the South-West Conference playoff semifinals at Immaculate High in Danbury. Nov. 4, 2012 Photo: Norm Cummings

The Green Wave braintrust of Jen Wyslick, left, and Dawn Hough talk strategy as their team holds a 2-1 edge during New Milford High School field hockey's 3-1 victory over Joel Barlow in the South-West Conference playoff semifinals at Immaculate High in Danbury. Nov. 4, 2012 Photo: Norm Cummings

The Green Wave's Vienna Pallisco sets up a teammate for a rush on goal during New Milford High School field hockey's 3-1 victory over Joel Barlow in the South-West Conference playoff semifinals at Immaculate High in Danbury. Nov. 4, 2012 Photo: Norm Cummings

Goaltender Sam Scavo and a Falcon teammate are helpless as a short shot by the Green Wave's Cristina Munoz finds its way into the cage for the final goal of New Milford High School field hockey's 3-1 victory over Joel Barlow in the South-West Conference playoff semifinals at Immaculate High in Danbury. Nov. 4, 2012 Photo: Norm Cummings

Coach Dawn Hough schools her Green Wave charges at halftime of New Milford High School field hockey's 3-1 victory over Joel Barlow in the South-West Conference playoff semifinals at Immaculate High in Danbury. Nov. 4, 2012 Photo: Norm Cummings