With the October 20th state tournament cutoff three weeks away, the next several games will loom large in the Rams’ post-season plans
By: Neil Hay
They have no problem with the Trentons and Ewings.
But when it comes to opponents like Steinert and West Windsor-South, it is a different Hightstown High girls’ soccer team that takes the field.
Why?, wonders Rams coach Don Hess.
"We haven’t shown up for the good teams yet," complained Hess of the Rams’ losses to Hopewell Valley, Steinert, and West Windsor-South, all among the CVC elite. "We have to play better against these teams."
In Hightstown’s most recent defeat, 7-0 last Monday at Steinert, the Rams were outshot by a whopping 25 to two. Alana Grundel (12 saves) and Kristin Healey (5) did all they could to hold the highly efficient Spartan offense to seven goals.
"All these games are important," said Hess afterwards. "We can’t seem to play well against these teams. Maybe the girls are young and don’t understand the magnitude of it. It is disappointing."
The Rams recovered from the Steinert loss to came back Tuesday with a 5-3 win at improved Trenton. Kim Christie had two goals, Melanie Pollack and Shannon Scott each had a goal and an assist, and Nicole Allen added a goal. Grundel (3 saves) and Healy (4) protected the net as the Rams outshot the Tornadoes, 22-10.
"We played very well," said Hess. "Trenton is much improved. We had to play well to win. But we still have a ways to go. I am pleased with the girls. We haven’t had a 4-3 record in a few years, but we have to show up for these big games."
With the October 20th state tournament cutoff three weeks away, Hess is concerned that the next several games will loom large in the Rams’ post-season plans. Yesterday Hightstown had a big game at West Windsor-North. Next week the team plays Lawrence, Princeton and Hamilton. These four games could make or break Hightstown’s season.
"West Windsor-North is a real big game. Their scores and game results are comparable to ours. North is a big cushion game for states. The three games next week are also very big."
Hess feels his team must improve on defense if it is to compete with the better teams on the schedule. Already the Rams have allowed 19 goals. That is way too many to please Hess.
"That’s the big key," said Hess of the defense. "It can be done, but we have to show up for these big games. That is what upsets me."
The Rams began the campaign back on September 8th with a 3-0 loss to Hopewell Valley at home. The locals’ play in that game was the first indication of things to come.
"Hopewell Valley is one of the top teams in the conference and we didn’t show up. We played horrendous. I was disappointed. We didn’t get the 50-50 balls, we were not aggressive."
On September 13th the Rams posted a 3-1 win over Ewing at home. Pollack and Sherri Alexandersen had a goal and an assist, and Allen set up Christie on the other tally.
"We played much better. We pretty much dominated. We were aggressive and the kids played with confidence."
The Rams improved to 2-1 on Sept. 18 with a 2-1 win at Notre Dame. Said Hess, "The kids were playing much better." Christie (from Allen) and Pollack (Christie) had the goals.
"It was a big win. It was payback for last year (when the Rams blew a 4- 1 lead and lost to the Irish 5-4). That loss knocked us out of contention for states. The girls were pleased. They remembered."
Then came West Windsor-South (Sept. 20 away) and a 4-0 loss.
"They are probably the top team in the conference," said Hess. "They totally outplayed us. I was disappointed. We were a little tentative."
The Rams regained their winning touch the following night, a 2-0 win over visiting Allentown. The Rams collected 17 shots to just four for the Redbirds.
Lauren Wittenberg converted on a penalty kick for one goal, and Pollack scored off a Christie feed for the other. Grundel and Healey co-authored the shutout.
"It was a really good game," said Hess. "Allentown plays strong defense, aggressive. It was a good test for us. We brought our level of play up. It was well-played on both sides. It could be the start of a new rivalry."
Hightstown seems to have a handle on much of its competition, but how the Rams compete against the best of the CVC will speak volumes about the team’s fortunes this season.