Pennington girls soccer
By: Mike Molaro
It wouldn’t be much of a surprise if most fans expected 2005 to be a rebuilding season for The Pennington School girls soccer squad.
Even though they were the two-time defending Prep A state champions, the Red Raiders had just one returning senior and were counting on a talented yet untested group of freshmen to help carry the load.
Somebody forgot to tell this gutsy group, because the Red Raiders (22-1) captured their third consecutive Prep A title Sunday with a superb 2-1 triumph over Lawrenceville.
That victory capped an outstanding two weeks, as Pennington added the state crown to the Mercer County Tournament title it won with a 2-1 victory over Steinert.
"I can’t say enough about this group of girls," co-head coach Bill Hawkey said after the top-seeded Red Raiders downed the second-seeded Big Red for the second time this year to close with 14 consecutive victories.
Freshman midfielder Amber Brooks, who led Pennington with 28 goals, scored twice against Lawrenceville, while junior midfielder Julianne DeLorenzo and junior forward Lora Fink each added an assist. Senior goaltender Juliette Grillo made seven saves in her final high school game.
"This was a sweet one for us, no doubt about it," Hawkey said. "Our big question was how we would match up against their three big offensive weapons."
With junior Jackie Pastor marking senior forward Elizabeth Redmond, junior Keri Washington marking junior forward Becky Brown, and freshman Alexa Carugati marking senior forward Lizzie Nichols, Pennington, which downed Lawrenceville 2-1 earlier in the year, held the Big Red’s top three scorers to just one shot in the first half.
"Jackie played with a pulled hamstring, and we were concerned if she could go 80 minutes," Hawkey said. "Alexa was a great surprise for us all season. It was unbelievable to shut them down like we did in the first half.
"We played a marvelous 40 minutes. That gave everyone confidence. That defensive effort made a big difference in the game."
Brooks scored "on a picture-perfect goal" with about 15 minutes left in the first half off a bullet of a pass from DeLorenzo. Her second goal made it 2-0 with 28 minutes remaining in the second half, but the Big Red weren’t finished.
"Lawrenceville never gave up and kept fighting," Hawkey said. "For the last 15 minutes of the game, we moved Amber (Brooks) back to defense to help Jackie (Pastor), who was limping badly because of her pulled hamstring. Alexa (Carugati) also had to come out of the game with leg cramps.
"The girls came up big, and we were able to hold on. We went into this game knowing it was probably going to be a one-goal game either way. Our defense came up big, just like it’s done the entire season."
In the Prep A semifinals on Nov. 2, Pennington received two goals apiece from Fink and Brooks in downing fourth-seeded Hun 4-1. Junior defender Kori Washington contributed a pair of assists, Keri Washington added an assist, and Grillo made one save, as the Raiders, who led 1-0 at halftime, tried to pack it in and frustrate the Red Raiders.
"Hun had a defensive game plan," Hawkey said. "They had nine defenders and one forward. They had one shot in the first half and scored."
Once Pennington got untracked with Fink’s first goal off a corner kick with about 24 minutes left in regulation, it was just a matter of time until the Red Raiders kicked it into high gear and eliminated Hun.
"After Lora’s first goal, we were confident we would get another," Hawkey said. "We got that with Lora’s second goal of the game about nine minutes later.
"Kori was huge for us, not only with her two assists but also for creating a lot of other scoring chances."
Pennington, which allowed only 12 goals all season, defied the odds and surprised probably even its most ardent fans with an unyielding determination to bring home a third straight Prep A championship.
"We (Hawkey and co-head coach Patrick Murphy) met with the girls before the season, and there was a unanimous vote of the team to get to the Mercer County Tournament title game and the Prep A title game," Hawkey said. "We felt confident that we had the caliber of girls to accomplish these goals."
As one of the state’s premier programs, the Red Raiders knew every time they stepped on the field was an opportunity for an opponent to lay claim to beating the best.
"The girls had a big bull’s eye on their back," Hawkey said. "There was a lot of pressure that they stood up to this year. I’m amazed at how well they handled it.
"The girls always found a way to win. It wasn’t always pretty, but they always found a way. They not only met, but they exceeded our expectations."
The foundation for a third consecutive state crown was laid during the first week of the season at a tournament in Maryland when the Red Raiders defeated two nationally ranked teams and a state championship squad from New Mexico without allowing a goal.
"Those games brought us closer as a team," Hawkey said. "It also gave us a great look as to what these girls were capable of."
Ironically, it was their only setback of the season that fueled the Red Raiders’ passion to run the table and set the path for the county and Prep A titles.
"That loss to Pingry really helped us," Hawkey said. "It was the first time we lost to Pingry in six years. That was a defining moment for this team. The girls were determined not to lose again."
One of the most surprising positives this season was the "Fab Five" freshman class of Brooks, Carugati, midfielders Colleen Williams and Heidi Sabatura and goalie Chloe Deon.
"This is a fabulous group of girls," Hawkey said. "Not only are they excellent students, but they come with this exceptional game in them. They fit in nicely with the rest of the team. They came in with high expectations, but they are a very grounded group."
The Red Raiders are losing goalie Grillo, who took over as a sophomore after backing up Robyn Jones as a freshman.
"Juliette is one of a kind," Hawkey said. "She’s been with us for four years and was a starter for three years. From her sophomore year on, it was her show. We saw her get better each year. She came up big for us time after time.
"She has a laid back personality and kept the team loose. We will miss her very much. She’s been through some tough times. She has a special place in our hearts."
As the Red Raiders look back on a season that culminated with their third consecutive Prep A championship, Hawkey proudly reflects on a team that wouldn’t be stopped short of its goals.
"These girls were competitors," he said. "They loved the challenges. They kept bringing their game."
As a result, they brought home another state title.
NOTES: Lawrenceville defeated Peddie 2-1 in the semifinals to advance to the Prep A finals. The Red Raiders would like to recognize ball girls Isabella Gargione, Devon Landis, Elizabeth Mintz, Nellie Tanguay and Paige Tartaglia. All are students at Toll Gate School.

