Falcons field hockey team waiting to erupt

By: Sean Richards
   The Monroe Township High School’s effervescent field hockey coach, Virginia Gonzalez, must feel like a real estate magnate sitting on an undeveloped but highly desirable piece of property.
   Although it might not look that great right now, you know the big payoff is coming.
   In its latest results prior to Wednesday, Monroe played to a scoreless tie in a home game against Piscataway and lost at Metuchen, 2-0. This leaves the Falcons still looking for their first win at 0-3-2 on the season, but Gonzalez is confident time is on her team’s side.
   "I’m not discouraged at all," said Gonzalez. "We only have a few seniors and a lot of sophomores. As soon as my girls realize their potential, it’s going to be a pretty scary thing."
   Monroe outplayed and outshot Piscataway, but had only the tie to show for it. Sharing the duties in the cage were Shannon Weber and Chrissie Mucciolo.
   Those two were also the keepers in the loss to Metuchen in which Nikki Gassoway scored both goals. On the plus side, Weber managed to stop a penalty shot and, along with Mucciolo, turned back several other good Metuchen scoring opportunities.
   To date, Monroe has scored just twice this year. With the defense continuing to make great strides, it’s no secret where the Falcons must improve.
   "We’re in all the games, but we’re still struggling to score," agreed Gonzalez. "In every game we’ve gotten off some good shots, but we still don’t score. We’ll get there. Eventually it will fall."
   Among the players who have been very solid is senior co-captain Megan Stark. She’s been anchoring the team in more ways than one.
   "She’s played phenomenal," said Gonzalez. "She’s always talking, always organizing. And her stickwork has been outstanding. She’s been holding us down in the back. I think she could get us some goals if we moved her to the front (line), but she’s too valuable where she is."
   Monroe’s slow start means making the state tournament will be very difficult, but on the Greater Middlesex Conference front, things are just starting to heat up. This point is not lost on Gonzalez.
   "The two ties have kept us in the mix," she said. "At Monroe it always seems like we come out slow and play tremendous in the second half. We’re not out of it yet. I think overall we’re playing like a team. We just need to get on a roll."
   When Monroe gets on the roll, the entire GMC had better take notice.
   Monroe’s upcoming schedule includes an away game at Sayreville Monday and a home contest against South Brunswick Wednesday.