Cougar girls’ soccer dominates first two games
By: Justin Feil
Allison Slattery knew it would be different this season. She was a starting midfielder throughout last season when the Montgomery High School girls’ soccer team shared the Group III state championship.
The Cougars were looking to fill in the holes left by graduation, particularly in the back and Slattery was a prime candidate for a move to shore up the defense.
"That was the biggest concern, especially with me," said MHS head coach Jeremy Beardsley. "I’m a little stubborn in the system I want to try to play. There’s the debate if you want to stick to a system or let your players dictate what system you play. I had to make a decision on a few girls.
"I moved Allie Slattery out of the midfield. She was great in the midfield. She distributes really well. I had a thought that she would do a good job there. I thought it was worth giving up what we lost for what we’d gain in the back."
Slattery’s first two games have confirmed that hunch. Slattery and the MHS defense were flawless in a 7-0 win over Immaculata on Friday, then followed it up by holding Morris Knolls scoreless for the first 70 minutes of a 7-1 win on Saturday. They were Slattery’s first games at center back.
"He had talked about it over the summer," Slattery said of the move back. "I didn’t think he’d actually do it. When we were at Rutgers soccer camp, he basically told me I might do it.
"I was still nervous about it. Just being the last defender, in the midfield you always have people behind you. If you mess up, you always have people to help you. If I mess up now, it’s kind of over."
It didn’t take long for Slattery and the Cougars to learn that lesson. MHS’ first preseason scrimmage was against another highly touted Central Jersey Group IV team, Steinert.
"We got crushed against Steinert," Beardsley said. "Like I’d never been beat before. Steinert is very good. We all realized we have a lot of work to do. We’re not a state championship team. It was probably the best thing that happened. We dedicated a bunch of time to defense, and positioning and shadowing. Hopefully, the progress will continue."
Added Slattery: "I learned the importance of organization. We were such a new team. I didn’t know the people playing next to me. There are so many people that weren’t on varsity last year. It was all different people.
"That was the first scrimmage. We definitely improved since that first scrimmage. I think it’ll get better from there."
Slattery has joined returning back Micaela Collins and newcomers Ali Wong and Meghan Nahass who have both played the other back position this season. Their rapid development has allowed MHS to continue to play a more attacking style by relying on three backs and allowing more pressure to go forward.
"I have so much pride in the way we’re organized defensively," Beardsley said. "I like how our defenders defend and how our offense defends. It relies on everyone, not just the backs."
The rest of the Cougars have played very well in the first two games as well. In the opening win, Lauren McClintic scored three goals and Emily Knesevitch scored a goal and had two assists. In the win over Morris Knolls, McClintic had a pair of goals as did freshman Casey Niper. Knesevitch had two assists.
"I am concerned about experience for this team," Beardsley said. "A lot of girls are playing varsity for the first time. Those are the girls stepping up so far. Emily Knesevitch is stepping up. Carey Youmans is new and she’s played well. Casey Niper, a freshman, I brought her up and she scored two goals. Lauren McClintic, she’s exploded. She actually had a little bit of a slow start last year. I didn’t know if she would have another slow start. She had an unbelievable game (Saturday). I was a bit surprised that we scored seven goals."
Beardsley was also impressed by the play of the defense against Morris Knolls, which had won its opener. Morris Knolls has two dangerous forwards that the Cougars were able to neutralize.
"We just shut these girls down," Beardsley said. "The one girl is arguably one of the best forwards in the state. It was awesome to see. The whole system relies on everyone doing a good job. A lot of credit goes to those three."
Slattery believes the defense will only get better with more experience together. They realize what they have to do to slow opposing offenses.
"If you’re in the right place, they’re going to pass it to you," Slattery said. "You have to be able to press and drop off. If you have people individually defending, they’ll split you all over the place. If you’re randomly forcing them in whatever direction, that’s when it doesn’t work. We found that out in the Steinert game."
Slattery isn’t the only returning Cougar who has changed positions. Brianna Miller has moved back from the forward line to midfield as has Marcia Voigt. Shannon Hayes has moved from an outside midfielder to center midfield. Slattery, who has played back and midfield for her club team, the PDA Power, has adjusted quickly to her new role with the Cougars.
"You don’t have as much freedom in the back," she said. "When I played center midfield, I was usually the defensive midfielder. I wasn’t really up in the attack anyway. It’s not that big a change for me.
"I think we’re in a good place now," she added. "We have to learn from the mistakes we made in the beginning. He put the more experienced players in the most important positions. Shannon and Bri know what they’re doing. And me and Micaela and Nahass and Ali, we know what we’re doing. We just have to build from here."
Beardsley is confident in the three-back system. While there was early debate about keeping it, he feels good about the lineup and is unlikely to change it unless there’s an injury or a complete collapse. The latter does not seem possible.
"I really think," he said, "this gives the best chance for girls to be successful." It worked last year in a state championship season. Now, the Cougars are trying to follow it up with a new lineup.
"It’s hard," Slattery said. "Every team that we play knows who we are. Last year, we could come in and kind of surprise them. We have a lot to live up. We have to understand we are a new team and have new strengths. We have to play hard and see where we can go."
With Allison Slattery taking on a key role as the new center back, the MHS girls’ soccer team thinks it can successful again. If early indications are any proof, the Cougars are in good shape.
"Melissa Martin got a lot of attention playing it last year," Beardsley said. "Center back is a pretty prestigious spot on our team. Allie knows I believe in her. She has to organize. She’s pretty proud of her work."

