By: Sean Moylan
"Sleep in the winter" is a saying often used by the best teams in Major League Baseball (the saying used to be "sleep in November" until the New York Yankees and Arizona Diamondbacks actually played in November in 2001).
Managers often use the saying to inspire their players once it comes time to make a playoff push or win a playoff series. Basically, it means to stay focused at all times because even though you might be doing well, there are still tough games ahead.
The Hightstown High girls’ varsity soccer team, which has certainly played its best soccer in years, has reached that point in the season.
"I’m very pleased with our season (6-3-1) so far, but with our difficult schedule it’s pretty tough. Our girls have to stay focused or we’ll be back at .500," said Hightstown head girls’ varsity soccer coach Don Hess.
Hightstown exhibited that great focus in a 2-1 road win over Princeton this past Tuesday as the Rams stuck to their strong game plan even when it looked like it wasn’t working.
"We played smart and waited for them to get their backs involved. If they made a mistake we would get our counterattack going," said Hess.
In the first half, Princeton made few mistakes and consequently it took a 1-0 lead into the intermission. At the half, Hess reminded his team to continue to play smart soccer. They did and they went on to reap the benefits of two costly Princeton mistakes.
"Erika Juricic had a breakaway goal from Brianna Byrne and Carissa Wolkiewicz had a breakaway goal from Kayla Reddington," said Hess. "They shot more (16-9), but the shots we took were quality shots while a lot of their shots didn’t stand a chance of going in."
According to Hess, Hightstown goalie Tara Miluszewski played a great game (12 saves) and made at least two saves of the spectacular variety.
"Princeton . . , they were 4-2-1 going in but I knew they were very talented. We knew we had our hands full, but we played a very smart game," Hess remarked.
Last Thursday Hightstown hosted and beat a pretty good Robbinsville team, 2-0.
"They (the Ravens) almost scored in the beginning of the game, but Tara (Miluszewski) made a big save (one of her five for the game)," said Hess, whose Rams went on the attack after their goalie’s big play. "We moved the ball very well. We had 11 shots. That’s the most we’ve had all year."
Ify Onochie, assisted by Juricic, scored Hightstown’s first goal in the first half and Juricic (assisted by Angela Lenzo) added an insurance tally in the second half. Juricic has nine goals for the season.
"I’m pleased with them, but I’m cautiously optimistic," said Hess, who needs his team to keep playing the way its been playing.
They can sleep in the winter, but they can continue to win now.
Hightstown was scheduled to have played at Hamilton West yesterday (Thursday). It is scheduled at the Hun School on Monday. Hightstown is scheduled to host Notre Dame on Tuesday. Then next Thursday Hightstown is scheduled at Ewing.
PEDDIE
After a slow start, things are starting to turn around for Ray Cabot’s Peddie girls’ varsity soccer team.
On Wednesday Peddie won 1-0 on the road against a good Morris Catholic squad.
With six minutes remaining in regulation, Peddie’s Hana Garfing took a shot from close range and scored the only goal of the contest. Katrina Smedley had a brilliant pass to set up Garfing’s winning tally.
Peddie probably should have scored more as it outshot Morris Catholic, 17-3. Caitlin Heim made three saves for Peddie to post the shutout.
The Falcons lost a tough 2-0 game at Steinert this past Saturday.
Last Thursday’s scheduled home game versus Princeton Day School was postponed until next Tuesday.
Peddie (2-4) is scheduled to host Hill today (Friday).

