BY SHAWN LAYTON
Staff Writer
METUCHEN – Central midfielder Jane Barrett heads a Metuchen High School girls soccer team that looks to battle for a GMC Blue Division title when the new season opens with a 3:45 p.m. road game against Middlesex Sept. 8.
Barrett was a 2005 All-American selection and an All-Blue Division representative in addition to the Bulldogs’ MVP.
“She makes a 12-month commitment to the sport, and it shows,” Metuchen head coach Val Gazda said. “It’s like having an extra coach when Jane is on the field. She’s intense out there. She’s always positive and she tends to create scoring opportunities. She works especially well with defender Jordan McVicker.”
McVicker, a sophomore defender, uses speed and agility to create scoring chances. McVicker is a two-year starter.
Sharing team captain responsibilities alongside Barrett are fellow seniors Susan Golbe, Olenka Szynwelski and Caitlin Walker.
Golbe led the team in goals in 2005 and is expected to find the back of opponents’ nets with frequency from the front line once again.
“Susan has really improved her off-the-ball work,” Gazda said. “In addition to her scoring, we’ll look to her for leadership. This year she’ll be flanked by some younger players, so her experience and leadership will be very important.”
Szynwelski captains the team from a defensive line that returns all four defenders. The team itself returns nine starters and 18 players with varsity experience.
“Olenka will be one of the more veteran players at the defensive end,” Gazda said. “Senior midfielder Molly Hampsen will also add some depth to the defense.”
Should offenses crack the Metuchen defense, they will have to deal with the likes of Walker in goal. Walker recorded nine shutouts last season and enters the new season with 16 career shutouts.
“Caitlin is definitely more vocal back there, and that’s something I’ve been waiting to see happen,” Gazda said. “She also has a fabulous punt that adds something to our restarts.”
In front of Walker and returning to the starting sweeper position is sophomore Hannah Thomas. Also seeing action at the defensive end will be junior Allison Graban.
“Hannah is the team’s most vocal player,” Gazda said. “That’s a great skill that we’d like to see out of more players.”
Junior Abby Dingle is expected to play up front with Golbe and take some of the pressure to score off Golbe’s shoulders.
Following the season opener with Middlesex is a much-anticipated meeting with Bishop Ahr. Metuchen will host the Trojans at 3:45 p.m. Sept. 12. The two teams are expected to be serious contenders for the Blue Division title.
“My philosophy is to take it one game at a time,” Gazda said. “We certainly want to finish better than third in the Blue Division and to play deeper into the county tournament, but we don’t want to get ahead of ourselves.”
Last year’s Bulldog team took home the Central Jersey Group I title with a 2-0 win over South River in the championship game.
“Between us, Bishop Ahr, Spotswood, and Middlesex, it should be a good foursome to fight for the top spot in the Blue,” Gazda said. “The division is still very competitive, with Spotswood still the team to beat.”