New coach Vacacela looks for Risoli to star
By: Rudy Brandl
Although a dozen seniors graduated from last year’s team, Hillsborough High should still be formidable and competitive in girls’ soccer this fall.
Cindy Vacacela, the former HHS assistant coach who took a year off after her fourth knee surgery, is back and now in charge of the program. While she may not play competitive soccer again, Vacacela is fit enough to work with her team. She’s familiar with most of the players and is confident they can get the job done.
Last Friday’s 1-0 victory over North Hunterdon gave the Lady Raiders a good start. There aren’t many breaks in the Delaware Division schedule, a slate that includes the likes of Hunterdon Central and Bridgewater. Every conference win will be important.
"It’s always tough in our league," Vacacela said. "There’s usually only one or two easy games. We looked pretty good against North and that’s good competition right off the bat."
Danae Risoli, who begins her fourth year as a key varsity player, scored the game’s only goal in the 14th minute. Risoli converted a cross from sophomore midfielder Ashley Lunemann and ripped a shot past goalkeeper Kim Davis.
"I hope we can find (Risoli) when she’s unmarked," Vacacela said. "She’s going to be double and triple-teamed most of the time. We have to free her up so she doesn’t have that much coverage as we move up the field."
Hillsborough had several chances to increase its lead, but Davis played a spectacular game in goal. Davis is a regional Olympic Development Program keeper.
"She made three or four saves that another keeper wouldn’t make," Vacacela said. "She was incredible. The game would have been much different if she didn’t make those saves. We controlled the ball and had a lot more scoring chances. You have to play more conservatively in a 1-0 game. You don’t want to get caught up the field and give up a goal."
Hillsborough split the goalkeeping chores between senior Lindsay Krahn and junior Katie DiGiovanni. Both keepers are new to the varsity level but played well with three saves apiece in the opening shutout.
Senior captain Becky Dmuchowski will anchor the defense this fall. She’ll be joined by junior Sarah Erdman, sophomore Kaitlyn Adams and freshman Renee Kelly. Erdman is returning from an injury and Adams and Kelly are new to varsity.
Freshman Shari Kleiman and sophomore Kaitlin Gerberville will provide depth on the back line.
Lunemann and Risoli will be the two key playmakers in the midfield. Both players have experience, speed and skill and they combined for the lone goal in Friday’s game. Gerberville and junior Nina Lombardi will also play midfield.
Sophomore Sara Fedorczyk will start up front in the middle but could also provide depth in midfield. Fedorczyk proved she could score goals in her freshman year and is quite dangerous when she gets loose.
A pair of juniors play the wings for Hillsborough. Natalie Inman starts on the right side. Inman is a proven scorer and had an outstanding summer of soccer. Laura Pugnet took last year off but starts on the left side of the attack.
Junior Katelyn Powers and sophomore Kaitlin Wagner, a pair of varsity newcomers, will provide depth on attack. Powers is one of the Lady Raiders who was robbed by Davis last Friday.
Hillsborough was scheduled to face Central and Franklin this week in division play. There won’t be any easy weeks in this long grind of a season, so Vacacela understands the importance of having depth on the roster. The players are shooting for a Somerset County title.
"We need to stay healthy," she said. "Fitness will come into it. We need to rotate people so we don’t get people worn down early in the season. I think we’ll be OK as long as I keep everybody healthy and focused."

