By Jim Hintelmann
Holmdel was the only Shore area team to win an NJSIAA girls soccer title last year as it edged Ramapo, 1-0, to take its first ever Group II championship. It appears that the Hornets could repeat this year.
“We have a good, solid senior class with fine leadership,” said Holmdel coach Jen Conroy, whose team is also seeking the A Central title that was won by Rumson last year. “All five of our defenders are back.”
The top returnee is senior Gabby Bair, who scored 27 goals and 12 assists a year ago. She had four game winning goals in the tournament including the winning goal in the Ramapo game,
Also back are defenders Hannah Lee, and Casey Matthjis and Cat Cirigliano, forwards Abbey and Kailey Flynn, and midfielders Frankie and Samantha McDonald and Maddy Agresto.
Rumson-FH hopes for a repeat division title, but much of its defenders have graduated.
“We look for a good season and to qualify for the Shore Conference and state tournaments,” said Rumson coach Mary Beth Coleman. “We expect some of the new girls to step up and fill those roles.”
Coming back are defender Michaela Borneo, midfielders Caroline Kostecky, Jacqueline Littleson, goalie Sam Beaudreault, and forwards Grace Forsyth, Brianne Worobel and Sofi Giglio.
B NORTH
Red Bank Catholic finished third in the division behind Wall and Colts Neck despite having beaten both of those teams in regular season games, and coach Frank Lawrence expects to make a strong run at the title.
“We have a lot of players that contributed last year coming back,” said Lawrence, whose team was 15-7-1 last year. “We’ll have a balanced offense, but we still lost some 1-0 games last and need to improve.”
Leading the returnees is goalie Jackie Robinson, who posted 10 shut-outs last season. Also back are midfielders Olivia Lucia and Jyllissa Harris, forward Sophia Demurjian and defenders Emily Holtz, Alexis Borrino and Norah Bruther.
Red Bank Regional was only 5-13-1 a year ago, but coach Nick Tucker expects to see improvement this year,
“We have plenty of experience despite still being young,” said Tucker. “We have a strong junior class that should step up. Our scoring has looked okay in the pre-season.”
Returning are goalie Sarah Baker, stopper Rachel Weir, midfielders Alyssa Keleigh, Grace Dengler, Jackie Rogers and Christine Albano, and forwards Jenna Holly, Bri Urbanski and Ella Conti.
B CENTRAL
Shore Regional reached the NJSIAA Group I finals ago before losing to Kinnelon, 1-0 in the title game, but the Blue Devils have enough retuning lettermen to make another run at the title.
The leading scorers back are Shannon Bonner and Katie Stephens, who should take up some of the slack from graduated standout Samantha McDonough.
Other returnees are defenders Devon McDonough, Jess Egan, Shannon Anfuso and Amanda Fontana, and goalie Katie Colaguori.
A NORTH
Middletown North coach Pat Misciagna looks for a better season after a 6-13 record last year.
“We’re looking good in our scrimmages, and our goal is to make the states and Shore Conference Tournament,” said Misciagna. “The girls are really motivated.”
Returning starters are midfielder Shannon Spangler, forwards Carly Jankowski and Jenna Reid, defender Mackenzie Kernan and Stephanie Trelford and goalie Sophia Goos.
Middletown South will rebuild around Haley Dalonzo, who scored 16 goals last year, and goalie Taelor Rivera (143 saves).
Published in the Sept. 3-10 Two River Times
