BRHS girls’ soccer improves to 4-2; injuries slow down N. Burlington
By:Sean Moylan
The Florence Township Memorial High School girls’ varsity soccer team bombarded the Westampton Tech goal keeper with 31 shots on its way to a 6-1 victory at home last Friday.
Kristen Kimock was the big hero for the Flashes, scoring two first-half goals to stake Florence to an early lead. Heather Lynch also tallied in the opening half. In the second half, Florence added three more scores including a pretty goal by Amy Oros.
After being tested heavily in the Flashes’ previous games, Sarah Lewis only had to make four saves against Tech. Amazingly, Florence actually found a team with less players than it had in Westampton Tech.
After playing 11 on 10 in the first half, Florence head coach George Chwastyk showed good sportsmanship by playing 9 on 9 in the second half, after a Westampton player was injured.
"It was ironic," remarked Chwastyk, who at times has had to do magic tricks to put 11 healthy players on the field.
Coach Chwastyk also got tremendous defensive games out of Neha and Megha Vyas. Florence is now 1-3.
Florence was scheduled to have played at Pemberton yesterday. Florence is scheduled at Medford Tech today. On Tuesday it will host Palmyra. With light schedules the past two weeks, Florence’s extra work on basic skills has appeared to have paid off.
BORDENTOWNŽ
Dominick Castaldo, the veteran head coach of the Bordentown Regional High School girls’ varsity soccer team, is facing many of the same problems faced by head coaches of all-star teams. He’s tried to get all of his great players playing time without sacrificing chemistry on the field.
"The whole team is playing well," noted Coach Castaldo. ‘It’s really hard because I’m subbing so much."
Last Thursday, Bordentown blasted Maple Shade, 4-1, at home. Then on Friday the Scottie cruised to a 7-0 home win over Medford Tech. Unfortunately, on Monday, Bordentown got off to a slow start at Riverside and lost a 2-1 game it controlled most of the way.
While not exactly a pessimist, Castaldo had always been a cautious coach, not prone to exaggerate about his squad. Yet his talent level is so high this year, even he has complimented his wonderful players.
"(Against Maple Shade) For the most part we, dominated the game (25 shots to 9)," said Castaldo. "We are creating a lot of opportunities. For good portions of the game, we are controlling play."
Coach Castaldo was particularly happy with his Scotties’ movement with the ball although he felt their off the ball movement could have been crisper. On a team of great players, Danielle Burns could be the greatest. She scored a hat trick against Maple Shade. Her second goal was set up by a Samantha Platas pass. Caitlin Ferrante, another scoring machine, booted a second-half goal for the Scotties, who led Maple Shade 2-0 after a half.
Bordentown’s lopsided victory over Medford Tech tested Castaldo’s skills at making quick and numerous substitutions. Shannon Mahoney scored a quick goal for Bordentown. Then, Coach Castaldo threw Caitlin Ferrrante on the field and a few minutes later she had 3 goals (all in a row.) In the second half, Samantha Platas scored on a penalty kick and Danielle Burns and freshman Madison Turanin both added goals Turanin also had 2 assists and Melissa Gaynor assisted on Mahoney’s goal. Medford Tech didn’t even get off a shot while Bordentown blasted 30 shots of its own.
"We knew going in (to the Tech game) that they were not as strong as us," said Castaldo, who played everybody on his roster in the game.
Goalies need work to stay sharp and facing six shots in two games wasn’t exactly the work Bordentown’s Tammy Exner and its defense needed. Riverside, consequently, scored 2 goals in the first 20 minutes of game against Bordentown. Coach Castaldo felt his team got "caught" in those 20 minutes.
"I’m a firm believer in total soccer – everyone plays offense and defense,"said Coach Castaldo, whose team had difficulty making that transition in the early going of the Riverside game.
After the first 20 minutes, however, Bordentown controlled the action the rest of the way.
"We threatened the whole game," noted Coach Castaldo. "The better team lost."
Danielle Burns did, however, score a goal . Exner was sharp too. Nevertheless, Coach Castaldo sees the losses to Riverside and Burlington Township (5-4) as good character builders for his great 4-2 squad. He sees his team constantly building and stretching-building and stretching. He also sees his Scotties winning.
"We haven’t been as sharp as I feel we need to be by the end of the season," said Castaldo, whose team alrady is approaching the goal total it had for all of last year – a championship year. By the end of the season Bordentown could be unbeatable.
Bordentown’s game scheduled at Westhampton Tech last Tuesday was rained out. Bordentown is scheduled to host Cinnaminson today. On Tuesday, Bordentown is scheduled at Burlington City.
NBCŽ
Playing without three of it’s top offensive players – Ashley Gibbs, Lauren Shivers and Brett Scharite – the Northern Burlington County Regional High School girl’s varsity soccer squad failed to score in a 3-0 loss at Holy Cross last Thursday.
"We were kind of banged up," said NBC head coach Terry Jennings. Even so, NBC goalkeeper Denise White kept the Greyhounds in the game with 16 saves.
White had no chance of stopping either of the Lancers first two goals, which were both well-spotted in the upper corner of the goal net in the first half.
On defense, the Greyhounds’ Denise Teasenfitz made her presence felt.
"She (Teasenfitz) always does well," said Jennings, whose team was outshot 19-8 in the contest.
Northern Burlington’s home game scheduled for last Tuesday against Cinnaminson was rained out. The Greyhounds are scheduled to host Rancocas on Tuesday. Hopefully, the 3-2 Greyhounds will have most of their players back for this week’s games.