Hopewell girls open with challenge

Girls SoccerWith the first three games of the season against Colonial Valley Conferences foes Notre Dame, Hightstown and Steinert, Hopewell Valley Central High School girls soccer coach Mike LoRicco knows the Lady Bulldogs will experience a sort of "baptism by fire."

By: Steve Feitl
   Hopewell hosts Notre Dame on Friday, Hightstown on Monday and Steinert on Wednesday. All games will be played at 3:45 p.m. at HVCHS.
   "I hope to be competitive and improve with each and every practice and game," LoRicco said. "We will be finding our strengths and learning to play to them, as well as working diligently on our weaknesses to turn them into strengths."
   Hopewell will try to duplicate the success it had last season. In 2000, the Lady Bulldogs rolled through the regular season and then also went through the state tournament.
   Eventually, Hopewell captured the Central Jersey Group II Championship and lost to Delran in the state semifinals.
   In retrospect, LoRicco felt the team actually had a slow start, but of course, got going when it counted most.
   "I was very happy with the season," LoRicco said. "I thought we really didn’t play our best soccer until late in the season. We peaked at the right time."
   In 2001, the Lady Bulldogs will be led by captains Melissa Conley and Amanda Bradshaw, as well as goalkeeper Heidi Rarich, forward Allison Moriarty and fullback Abby Brewster.
   Also returning from last year’s squad will be Jessica Pall, Sheila Conlan, Amanda Nini, Lyndsey Jones, Kathleen Aldridge, Kaity Ryan and Allisa Molinelli.
   Hopewell will also be aided by several newcomers.
   These fresh faces include Sarah Spencer, Megan Hagerty, Kristen Mapp, Chrissy Fairbanks, Anna Nyktas, Beth Hagerty, Jamie Shelmet and Lauren Reading.
   Overall, LoRicco is quite pleased with the roster he will take to the field this Friday as the pursuit to repeat begins for the Hopewell girls.
   "We are going to miss our four graduates," he said. "But at the same time, we do have a nice nucleus of experienced players back and very excited, energetic and talented young players who have been waiting their turn to play."