Strong start for MHS field hockey

By: Carolyn M. Hartko
   There’s cause for optimism among field hockey fans at Monroe High School this fall.
   The Lady Falcons have only played two games so far, but they’ve come through the first week with a positive record of 1-0-1.
   After tying Manalapan 1-1 on opening day, Monroe posted a decisive 3-0 victory at Old Bridge. The Falcons scored all three goals in the first half, then worked on solidifying their defense for the remainder of the game.
   Junior center halfback Danielle Payne got Monroe on the scoreboard early in the first period with a textbook play.
   "It was just a perfect goal," Shadell said. "It was scored from the top of the circle, right off a corner. It was beautiful."
   Senior wing Heather Walker then finished a pass from Stephanie Maklis off a setup by Suzanne Pole. Walker made it 3-0 with a little help from Lauren Scarpa.
   "Everything was so positive in that game," Shadell said. "The girls had very nice positioning. Their passing was excellent. They communicated very well with each other. It was great. They worked like a team. I’m sure they’ll continue for the rest of the games."
   Old Bridge is a team that Monroe lost to twice last year, once by a single goal, and the second time by two. So scoring a shutout with a three-goal differential bodes well for Monroe’s showing in the Greater Middlesex Conference this season. Shadell rated the tie with Manalapan a good game also, with the teams well matched. While the outcome from these two games has everyone feeling confident, the outings also pointed up some weaknesses the team is working on in practices this week.
   "We’re still working on our defense, the marking and recovering," Shadell said. "We want to make sure they’re still keeping up with the recovery. And we’re still working on trying to get that ball in the cage. That’s our main goal, obviously. We can’t forget about the basic stuff."
   The Lady Falcons were looking forward to a string of three home games starting with Sayreville on Thursday (after press time). South Plainfield will be in town for a 10 a.m. start on Saturday, and Hightstown visits on Monday. The Falcons will be at Hamilton West on Tuesday.
   In spite of the good start, Shadell and the Falcons are not taking anything for granted. For example, they are not reading anything into the fact that Monroe topped Sayreville in a pre-season scrimmage.
   "South Plainfield usually has a tournament-type scrimmage before the season starts," Shadell said. "We did scrimmage Sayreville there, and we did beat them, but that has nothing to do with in-season. We still have to keep up our guard. We still have to work hard. They’re a tough team. Everybody in the conference is a tough team. It’s going to be the same thing for all the games."