Sometimes these turn out to be the best games.

It was the season finale for both teams, both of which finished the season well under .500. But whenever you get two evenly-matched rivals together, you can usually count on a great game to watch.

This one – played on Halloween afternoon – was no different.

Earlier this season, the two teams played the same kind of game in Stone Harbor, when Middle Township ended what had been a 0-0 draw through regulation on Emily Schwartz’s golden goal.

This time, Wildwood Catholic turned the tide as Melissa Murphy punched Emily Sheeran’s cross into the Middle Township goal to give Wildwood Catholic the 1-0 OT win in its final game of the 2006 season.

Good thing this one was played at the Boyd Street Field in Court House, where lights are available. Had that not been the case, there’s no way now that we’re in Standard Time that the teams could have played an overtime session due to lack of daylight.

Crusader coach Kevin Quinn astutely noted that the victory allowed his club to finish 6-2 against “local” teams this season {Wildwood, Lower Cape May, Middle, Cape May Tech and Cape Christian}. He also gave local girls soccer in general a nice plug by mentioning that nearly all of the southern Cape May County clubs are full of underclassmen, and that better days are ahead for everyone.

I watched the second half and overtime of this game while talking to Middle athletic director Frank Riggitano, who spent the good part of our conversation spewing venom about the Eagles. I, of course, did nothing to discourage him seeing as how I’m as frustrated with the Birds these days as everyone else.

Other than Ocean City, which begins its playoff season later this week, Tuesday’s game ended high school girls soccer season in Cape May County.

Tomorrow, I’m planning on trying to get up to the Middle Township-Ocean City field hockey game, which is a South Jersey Group III semifinal. Ocean City is a huge favorite, but Middle Township certainly has the potential to give the Raiders a solid game. I’m sure the Lady Panthers caught Ocean City’s attention with their two-goal win over Cumberland Monday.

We should have a report on the game on the blog by about 5 p.m. Wednesday.

Later Wednesday evening, I also hope to have at least a few details from the Middle Township-Seneca South Jersey Group III boys soccer tournament game being at Seneca at 5 p.m.

Thanks for checking us out.