Allentown girls’ soccer notches first victory

By: Kyle Moylan
   While Kristen Grandstrand wasn’t thrilled about starting her career at 0-7, the Allentown High girls’ soccer coach was at least pleased to see the seventh loss served some meaning.
   After several one-sided matches, Allentown was defeated by a very good Notre Dame team, 3-2.
   "If there’s such a thing as a good loss, that was it," Grandstrand said. "We started to put it all together in that game."
   As noted by Grandstrand, Allentown started the year as a young team with a young coach.
   "The girls had played all over, but never together," Grandstrand said. "They also had a new coach. We also had to figure out the lineup."
   Allentown did the mixing and matching. And while Notre Dame was a good start, the 4-0 win over Ewing on September 26 was a great finish.
   Colleen Giglia scored two goals in the win. Hayley Odell and Bisola Egbe added an assist each. Dawn Taylor had three assists. Marissa Waldie made nine saves to record the shutout.
   "The girls were thrilled," Grandstrand said. "What made it really nice was that two of the girls that scored — Bisola Egbe and Hayley Odell — it was their birthday."
   Allentown followed that game up with a 1-0 loss to Hamilton on Friday. Waldie made six sves in the loss to the 6-2-1 Hamilton squad.
   The following day, however, Deniela Nini, Giglia and Odell all scored for Allentown in a 3-1 win over Spotswood.
   "The girls can see we’re playing better as a team," Grandstrand. "That leads to better confidence.
   "Getting that first win was a big relief, but I was still nervous before the Spotswood game. I’m nervous before every game. It’s good to be nervous because it means your blood is flowing and you’re ready to play."
   Allentown was scheduled to face Trenton Catholic this past Tuesday. The team will play under the lights at Mercer County Community College tonight at 7:30 p.m. On Friday, Allentown will play at BCIT.
   NEHS

   Cindy Murray scored three goals as the New Egypt High School girls’ soccer team defeated Trenton Catholic, 5-2, to win its first game of the season. Jessica Addessa and Bernadette Nymic added a goal each. Erin Sudol and Michelle Malloy had assists.
   In other action this past week, New Egypt was defeated by Pemberton, 5-0.
   Now 1-5, New Egypt was scheduled to face Holy Cross this past Tuesday. New Egypt will host Burlington City at 3:45 p.m. today. New Egypt will play at Trenton 10 a.m. on Saturday.