DeRosa, Donohue Lead No. 1 Trinity Hall Over No. 3 Rumson-Fair Haven in Rivalry Battle
RUMSON — Rivalry games rarely follow a script. Emotions run high, nerves take over, and momentum can swing in an instant. But on this stage, Trinity Hall left little doubt early—and that proved to be the difference.
Behind a dominant opening quarter and a spectacular performance from junior midfielder Chiara Donohue, the Monarchs powered past Rumson-Fair Haven, 8–6, in a marquee Shore Conference showdown.
Trinity Hall couldn’t have scripted a better start.
Just moments into the game, Donohue ignited the offense with a dazzling, tight-angle “twizzler” goal that set the tone. Thirty-six seconds later, junior attacker Rosie Spiropoulos finished a cut to double the lead. Sophomore attacker Sarina Derosa added another midway through the quarter, and Donohue struck twice more before the period ended, capping a stunning 5–0 run.
Trinity Hall’s Chiara Donohue battles through pressure (Photo by Patrick Olivero)
It wasn’t just the offense. Trinity Hall’s defense was suffocating, disrupting rhythm and forcing turnovers as Rumson-Fair Haven struggled to settle in.
“We said to ourselves that the first quarter was one of the best we’ve seen them play,” Monarchs head coach Dana Lenneper said.
The Monarchs kept their foot on the gas early in the second. Donohue scored again just over a minute into the quarter, then added her fifth goal of the half, pushing the lead to 7–0 and putting Trinity Hall firmly in control.
To their credit, Rumson-Fair Haven responded.
Sophomore attacker Becca Newell broke through late in the half, and the Bulldogs began to find their footing defensively. Though they trailed 7–1 at the break, the momentum had subtly shifted.
That shift became more evident in the third quarter.
Junior attacker Chloe Kelly battled through heavy pressure to score twice, leading a Bulldogs surge that held Trinity Hall scoreless in the period. The game tightened, possessions became more deliberate, and the physicality ramped up.
Rumson-Fair Haven’s Harbour Goldsmith (Photo by Patrick Olivero)
The fourth quarter followed a similar script—defensive, tense, and methodical. DeRosa finally broke through for Trinity Hall, finishing a crisp feed to extend the lead, but the Bulldogs refused to fade. Newell added two more goals, and junior midfielder Aly Megaw found the net as well, trimming the deficit to two.
It wasn’t enough.
The Monarchs’ early cushion—and their composure late—held up.
While Donohue’s five-goal performance stole headlines, DeRosa continued her emergence as a key piece for Trinity Hall. The sophomore finished with two goals and an assist, pushing her season total to 33 points.
“Sarina has always been this good—the biggest difference is her confidence now,” Lenneper said. “She’s finally taking advantage of those one-on-ones, those drives and draw-and-dumps.”
Trinity Hall’s Sarina DeRosa finished with two goals and an assist (Photo by Patrick Olivero)
That chemistry hasn’t gone unnoticed by her teammates.
“We have such great chemistry,” Donohue said. “It’s so much fun and amazing to play with her.”
DeRosa echoed that energy, especially in a rivalry setting.
“We were ready to show ourselves,” she said. “We came out like we had something to prove.”
As for Donohue, her performance was another reminder of just how dominant she has been this season. With five more goals added to her tally—now at 55—she continues to redefine what’s possible on a daily basis.
“Chiara is someone who practices those tough shots because she knows she’ll be in tough-angle positions,” Lenneper said. “She’s such a smart player.”
Her teammates feel the impact just as much.
“She’s at a different level,” DeRosa said. “Playing with someone like her makes everyone on our team better.”
Trinity Hall celebrates their rivalry win over Rumson-Fair Haven (Photo by Patrick Olivero)
In the end, the game showcased exactly what makes both programs dangerous. Trinity Hall proved why it belongs among the state’s elite, delivering a near-flawless opening stretch and holding on under pressure. Rumson-Fair Haven, meanwhile, showed resilience and the ability to adjust—traits that keep the Bulldogs firmly in the championship conversation.
If this rivalry gets another chapter later this season, it won’t be one to miss.
Trinity Hall (9-0, 4-0) heads on the road Saturday against Oak Knoll, while Rumson-Fair Haven (5-3, 1-3) travels to Allentown.
