GIRLS SOCCER: Not only did Hightstown score its first goals of the season against Hamilton last week, it got its first win, too.
By: Neil Hay
How many games can a team go without scoring a goal?
These are not the words sung in a Bob Dylan song. It is a question asked over and over by the Hightstown High School girls’ soccer coach Don Hess.
Not since the pre-season, when the Rams had a goal in a scrimmage, had the locals been able to get on the scoreboard. In their first five regular season games, shutout followed shutout. That finally changed last Friday in Hightstown’s 2-1 win at Hamilton. It was like the proverbial two-ton gorilla being removed from their backs.
"We finally broke the ice," said a much-relieved coach Don Hess of the Rams’ win over the Hornets. Hamilton holds a special place in the hearts of Hess and his booters. After all, the team’s last win was last season on the Hornets’ field. And it was Hess’ 100th career coaching victory. What could be more fitting than getting both win number one and goal number one of 2001 at Hamilton?
"The kids were really pumped up," Hess said. "We could have scored more. We had a lot of good opportunities."
The opportunities have been plentiful all season. But the team has not displayed a knack for knocking the ball in the net.
"It is a matter of concentration. You begin to press, and it compounds itself. You tend to try harder, instead of relaxing. The kids have played their hearts out. We have to start making our own breaks."
Perri Weissman, who at times has shared time in goal with Kristin Healey, went all the way with 11 saves. Hamilton had 12 shots to eight by Hightstown.
Newcomer Elena Tous, a transfer from upstate New York, scored both Hightstown goals, with assists going to Lisa Merrill and Kristin Compton.
"Elena Sous had a fantastic game. She has excellent speed, good skills. She is starting to jell with the rest of the team."
Once the team rang up that first win, "The kids were relieved. We can be competitive with the teams coming up on the schedule. But we’ve got to score. Maybe we’ll put it together.
"One things about these kids," continued Hess. "They never give up. They work hard. They have a tremendous work ethic."
Whatever roll Hess thought his Rams would be on after beating Hamilton quickly came to a halt with a 4-2 loss at Notre Dame Monday. Instead of moving forward, it seems Hightstown took a step backwards. At least in the first half, when the Irish took a 4-0 lead.
"We played terrible," said Hess of the first half. Notre Dame beat the Rams to nearly every loose ball, and scored three goals from long range.
But the Rams came back and played much better in the second half, scoring two goals to get back in it. Still it was too little and too late to avert a 4-2 defeat. The loss dropped the Rams to 1-6 on the season.
"We totally outplayed them in the second half," said Hess, who could offer no reason for his team’s poor play in the first half, nor its strong turnaround in the second. "It was like two different games. This was another game we could have won. I am tired of saying that."
Shots were close, 12 to 10 Notre Dame. Weissman made eight saves. Merrill (from Kelly Jones) and Compton (unassisted) accounted for the Hightstown goals.
"It was very disappointing that we didn’t come out in the first half," said Hess, watching his team’s tournament hopes slowly ebb away. "I thought we had momentum after the Hamilton win."
The Rams came close to winning what would have been their first game last Wednesday against visiting Allentown. But the Redbirds broke a scoreless tie with 10:31 to play and held on to defeat the Rams, 1-0.
Faced with another defeat, the Rams mounted a furious charge. In the final three minutes Hightstown had six corners, all on goal. But each was set aside by Allentown’s defense.
In all, the Rams had 16 shots to the Redbirds’ eight. Weissman made seven saves.
"The girls on offense feel they are letting the team down. It gets contagious."
Back on September 14th, in a game "We could have won," the Rams were blanked 2-0 by visiting Princeton.
"Princeton is a pretty good team. We played pretty well. We had a million opportunities but didn’t finish. The kids are young, they held their own. But you can’t win when you do not score. It’s a shame, the kids are playing so hard." Weissman (seven saves) and Healey (eight) shared time in net.
"The defense and ‘keepers played well," recalled Hess.
NOTES:In recognition of the holiday earlier this week, Hightstown will have six days off before returning to the field at home 3:45 p.m. today against Trenton. Hightstown will also be in action 11 a.m. Saturday at Hun. Hightstown will then be back home to face off against West Windsort South at 3:45 p.m. on Wednesday.

