Lancers’ season comes to end with 3-0 loss to Pingry
St. John Vianney girls fall one win shy of another Parochial A title
While the St. John Vianney High School girls soccer team’s pursuit of a second successive NJSIAA Parochial A championship fell just short, the Lancers had an outstanding year, and the future could be even brighter.
The Holmdel Lancers still made their way to the Parochial A finals, where they lost on Friday to Pingry, 3-0. The high-powered St. John’s offense could not seem to get going after falling behind 3-0 in the first half. From there, Pingry concentrated on defense and limited Lancer scoring chances.
"You have to give Pingry a lot of credit," Lancers’ coach Mike Alosco said. "We didn’t play well, and they had a lot to do with it. They played a very physical game, and they took advantage of their opportunities and we weren’t able to."
Nevertheless, St. John’s is a young team (Alosco started three freshmen), and the school’s traditional strength in girls soccer should continue. The Lancers went 20-3 overall, went to the finals of the Shore Conference Tournament, and won the Parochial A South crown along the way.
Alosco noted that several key seniors played their last high school games on Saturday. They include midfielders Alison Regler, who scored 17 goals and posted 11 assists, and Dana Lewis, a speedy player who helps key the transition game, as well as sweeper Jackie Buckler.
"We’re going to miss them, and we’d like someone to step up and replace Alison’s offensive numbers," Alosco said. "But you can’t put all they did down in statistics. They were team leaders and they helped our younger players get better."
Those younger players give the Lancers a very strong foundation on which to build. Sophomore forward Briana Gilmartin led the team in scoring with 21 goals and 11 assists. Juniors Jaime Komar and Sarah Soden, who alternated between midfield and forward, both posted impressive numbers. Komar scored 16 goals and nine assists, and Soden hit the net nine times to go with a team-leading 19 assists. Freshman Kelly Geffen showed great promise down the stretch, scoring five times and adding three assists.
The stingy defense, which allowed just 21 goals over the campaign, returns stopper Melanie Ondrejik and fullback Deidre Murray, as well as freshman Sarra Moller who started every game. Freshman goalie Kaila O’Donnell proved she could master varsity competition by playing in all 23 games and recording 11 shutouts.
"To start three freshmen and reach the finals of Parochial A is a huge achievement," Alosco said. "Of course they’re good players, but we had to beat some excellent teams. I’m extremely happy with what the girls accomplished, and I know they’ll be looking to do it again next season."
Next fall Alosco is likely to add a few players from the Lancers’ strong junior varsity contingent, which lost just once, and possibly a few from a strong freshman team.
"There is a lot of talent and interest in our program, and in a way, I think our success has bred more success," the coach said. "It’s a good position for any program."