Immaculate Heart Edges Pingry for North Non-Public A Title

Meryl Lawson scored twice in the second half as Immaculate Heart rallied past Pingry for its third straight sectional crown.

Updated on Nov. 12, 2026 in Soccer

Immaculate Heart Edges Pingry for North Non-Public A Title

Immaculate Heart defeated Pingry 3-1 on Thursday afternoon to win the North, Non-Public A sectional soccer championship. Pingry led 1-0 at halftime before Lawson's two second-half goals turned the game.

Why it matters

The win gives Immaculate Heart its third consecutive sectional title and its 20th overall, extending its run of success in New Jersey high school soccer. The result also underscores the rivalry between two strong programs, with Immaculate Heart holding the upper hand in the three most recent sectional finals.

Immaculate Heart finished 21-2-1 and Pingry finished 18-4 entering the final, with Lawson accounting for both second-half goals in the 3-1 win. The stub does not report shot totals or other advanced metrics from the match.

The players

Immaculate Heart

A Catholic all-girls high school in Los Angeles County's Hollywood area known for its strong athletic programs, though the stub places the school in New Jersey's sectional bracket context and this description reflects its national reputation rather than a verified New Jersey location.

Pingry

An independent private school in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, with a long-established athletics program that regularly competes in the state's top sectional brackets.

The details

Pingry took a 1-0 lead into halftime after Immaculate Heart missed an early scoring chance in the first half. Lawson scored twice after the break to complete the comeback and secure the North, Non-Public A championship.

Thursday, November 12, 2026: North, Non-Public A sectional final played in the afternoon.

Season Trajectory

The victory adds a third straight North, Non-Public A sectional title to Immaculate Heart's record and sets its career sectional total at 20. Immaculate Heart now sits at No. 3 in the NJ.com Top 20 while Pingry, ranked No. 7, falls short of a sectional crown in this matchup.

The result settles the North, Non-Public A sectional bracket for Immaculate Heart, which advances as the reigning champion in the division. Fans following New Jersey high school girls' soccer can track the team's progress in the coming state tournament rounds.

The takeaway

Immaculate Heart's three straight sectional titles show how consistency and resilience can overcome an early deficit in high-stakes playoff play. Readers following New Jersey soccer should watch how such runs translate into deeper state tournament performances.