By Jim Hintelmann
MIDDLETOWN – Defending B Division Central girls soccer champion Mater Dei Prep took another step toward a repeat title Monday with a 4-0 shutout over Ranney School.
“If we beat Shore Regional and Point Beach this week, we’ll win the title,” Mater Dei Prep first year coach Ted Ritter said. “We lost last year’s leading scorer, Julia McCarthy due to a torn ACL before the season, but several of the girls have stepped up.”
Mater Dei Prep did all of its scoring in the first half with senior Lindsey Florio responsible for the first two goals of the game. Her first goal was from in close and the second was deflected off the Ranney goalie’s hands.
“Lindsey has done a good job for us replacing McCarthy,” Ritter said. “We switched her from center-midfielder to center-forward this year and she leads the team in goals with six. Claire Begley has also played well for us.”
Begley and Brooke Trotta scored the other goals for the Seraphs (5-4-1). Mater Dei leads the division with a 4-1-1 record.
“We have a good senior back line,” Ritter said. “Our goalie, Katie Viscardi, has six shutouts this season. Our goal is to repeat as champions.”
Ranney (2-6) has had a slow start, but coach Ian McNamara is hopeful that his team can turn it around.
“We just had a tough schedule early in the season along with some injuries,” McNamara said, “but we expect to turn it around and get better.”
Mater Dei Prep had a 26-10 advantage in shots with Viscardi making three stops.
