Story and photo by Jay Cook
BAYVILLE – It does not matter if you’re a soccer fan or not. If you haven’t already, it’s time to get out and watch New Jersey’s premier girls player doing what she does best.
There is simply no doubt about it: the hype surrounding Colts Neck’s world-class player Frankie Tagliaferri is extraordinary, thrilling and totally legitimate.
After returning to Colts Neck from playing in Amman, Jordan as a member of the U.S. Women’s National Under-17 squad in the Women’s World Cup, Tagliaferri has lit up every scoreboard she has come across.
In only a two-and-a-half-week span since her arrival back home, which amounts to seven games, she has knocked in 18 goals, a remarkable pace that easily would have shattered state records through an entire season.
Colts Neck entered the Shore Conference Tournament as the five-seed, and cruised through the tourney to capture their second-straight title with a 3-0 win over Freehold Township on Oct. 29, a team that beat Colts Neck earlier in the season on Sept. 30, albeit without Frankie in the lineup.
Tagliaferri provided two set-piece goals in the finals, both in the second half of play.
“We don’t score a lot of set pieces, we score a lot from open play, but when we get a chance like that, that’s who I want over the ball,” head coach Doug Phillips said about Tagliaferri.
It was an even-matched first half, where the Cougars and Patriots challenged each other for field position, though neither was able to break open the game early on.
But it wasn’t long before Tagliaferri opened the floodgates with her first free kick in the 50th minute of action. Lined up almost directly in front of the net, she blasted a shot into the bottom right corner, quickly past Patriots goalie Angela DeCicco.
“I think it really gave us some momentum because all game we were looking for that one opportunity to score, and after that we capitalized on a lot of our other opportunities,” Tagliaferri said.
Only four minutes later, sophomore Kristi Mikula knocked in her second goal of the tournament from a through ball via Kayla Lee. It put the Cougars up with a commanding 2-0 lead.
“I kind of just saw a run go into the flag and Kay played a great ball, and I was able to run onto it and get behind the defense and was able to get it past the goalie,” Mikula said. “It was a great opportunity and a great ball by Kay.”
BAYVILLE – It does not matter if you’re a soccer fan or not. If you haven’t already, it’s time to get out and watch New Jersey’s premier girls player doing what she does best.
There is simply no doubt about it: the hype surrounding Colts Neck’s world-class player Frankie Tagliaferri is extraordinary, thrilling and totally legitimate.
After returning to Colts Neck from playing in Amman, Jordan as a member of the U.S. Women’s National Under-17 squad in the Women’s World Cup, Tagliaferri has lit up every scoreboard she has come across.
In only a two-and-a-half-week span since her arrival back home, which amounts to seven games, she has knocked in 18 goals, a remarkable pace that easily would have shattered state records through an entire season.
Colts Neck entered the Shore Conference Tournament as the five-seed, and cruised through the tourney to capture their second-straight title with a 3-0 win over Freehold Township on Oct. 29, a team that beat Colts Neck earlier in the season on Sept. 30, albeit without Frankie in the lineup.
Tagliaferri provided two set-piece goals in the finals, both in the second half of play.
“We don’t score a lot of set pieces, we score a lot from open play, but when we get a chance like that, that’s who I want over the ball,” head coach Doug Phillips said about Tagliaferri.
It was an even-matched first half, where the Cougars and Patriots challenged each other for field position, though neither was able to break open the game early on.
But it wasn’t long before Tagliaferri opened the floodgates with her first free kick in the 50th minute of action. Lined up almost directly in front of the net, she blasted a shot into the bottom right corner, quickly past Patriots goalie Angela DeCicco.
“I think it really gave us some momentum because all game we were looking for that one opportunity to score, and after that we capitalized on a lot of our other opportunities,” Tagliaferri said.
Only four minutes later, sophomore Kristi Mikula knocked in her second goal of the tournament from a through ball via Kayla Lee. It put the Cougars up with a commanding 2-0 lead.
“I kind of just saw a run go into the flag and Kay played a great ball, and I was able to run onto it and get behind the defense and was able to get it past the goalie,” Mikula said. “It was a great opportunity and a great ball by Kay.”
Tagliaferri closed the scoring out with a fantastic bending free kick goal in the 66th minute, showing off the skills that make her one of the United States’ most promising young players.
It was the kind of goal that can shut down any fan section, and that’s exactly what happened on the Freehold Township side. Conversely, the traveling Cougar Den erupted, and knew at that moment it was a done deal.
“A game of this magnitude, and a player like that stepping up on that stage is exactly what we needed; that’s why we’re here right now,” said Phillips. “We have a good cast around her, but that’s big-time playing right there.”
It is a fantastic achievement for the Colts Neck Lady Cougars, who seem like the kind of team that can turn this momentum into a special run, led by a special player.
“I feel so proud of my team,” Tagliaferri said. “It’s been back to back that we’ve won this tournament, and it’s a very hard tournament to win because there’s so many talented teams that work hard, and they all want what we want.”
It was the kind of goal that can shut down any fan section, and that’s exactly what happened on the Freehold Township side. Conversely, the traveling Cougar Den erupted, and knew at that moment it was a done deal.
“A game of this magnitude, and a player like that stepping up on that stage is exactly what we needed; that’s why we’re here right now,” said Phillips. “We have a good cast around her, but that’s big-time playing right there.”
It is a fantastic achievement for the Colts Neck Lady Cougars, who seem like the kind of team that can turn this momentum into a special run, led by a special player.
“I feel so proud of my team,” Tagliaferri said. “It’s been back to back that we’ve won this tournament, and it’s a very hard tournament to win because there’s so many talented teams that work hard, and they all want what we want.”
Keep an eye on Colts Neck as they will now maneuver their way through the NJSIAA Central Group IV tournament, again as a five-seed.
Though for Tagliaferri, it is just another step in an illustrious high school career, which when over, will continue on to the collegiate level at Penn State.
Make no bones about it: Tagliaferri is a world-class player playing right in our backyard. And while she has competed at the highest level possible so far, Tagliaferri believes this Shore Conference Title is no less important than any other achievement in her career.
“Of course it’s different – playing for your country’s completely different – but then coming back here and playing for your school and your friends and your family, it’s also an amazing feeling.”
Though for Tagliaferri, it is just another step in an illustrious high school career, which when over, will continue on to the collegiate level at Penn State.
Make no bones about it: Tagliaferri is a world-class player playing right in our backyard. And while she has competed at the highest level possible so far, Tagliaferri believes this Shore Conference Title is no less important than any other achievement in her career.
“Of course it’s different – playing for your country’s completely different – but then coming back here and playing for your school and your friends and your family, it’s also an amazing feeling.”
