By: Ron Parent
nbsp; With the 22nd annual Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament rapidly approaching, the Monroe Township High School girls soccer team is rounding into postseason form.
And the Falcons, winners of seven of their last eight through Tuesday evening, drew as much encouragement from the one loss in that span as any of their seven wins.
Facing the probable No. 1 seed in the tournament and overwhelming favorite to win it all, Monroe fell 2-0 to Woodbridge this week despite many promising signs. The Falcons did not allow a goal until the 30th minute, trailed 1-0 with under a minute remaining in regulation, forced Barrons goalkeeper Amanda Small to make a season-high nine saves and held Woodbridge to a season-low of two goals.
It was a game Monroe easily could have won or tied, leading many Falcons players to ponder just how far their team might go once the tournament begins.
"We went into that game really pumped up, because we wanted to prove we’re not a team you can just walk all over," junior midfielder Alanna Carr said. "Losing just 2-0 to a team that’s been beating people by high numbers all year proved to us that we can compete with anyone. It was good to see how we worked under pressure and how our team was positive the whole game.
Sure, the loss was still frustrating, especially considering Woodbridge which has yet to allow a goal this season, outscoring opponents 68-0 swept the season series and eliminated the Falcons from division title contention with the win. But senior Alyssa Gioino said simply knowing the team can match up with the conference’s hands-down best squad provides a vital confidence boost heading into the playoffs.
"It was kind of frustrating, because we had some good chances that just didn’t go in," Gioino said, "But I think we still played really well as a team, and I think we have a really good chance in the GMC (Tournament)."
With a 10-3 record through Tuesday, a state playoff berth nailed down and a second-place finish in the GMC White Division a near-inevitability, the Falcons should earn a high seed for the conference tournament and avoid an early matchup against Woodbridge or three-time defending conference tournament champion East Brunswick. If the tournament were seeded today, Monroe would probably earn a No. 3 or 4 seed and have a relatively clear path to the semifinals.
Don’t think that means the players will underestimate anyone, though. Carr said it won’t happen.
"It’s gonna be hard I expect every team to be good and to come out wanting to win," Carr said, recalling last season’s second-round overtime loss to Edison which ousted the Falcons from the tournament. "But we definitely have improved and learned how to play together. We’ve gotten better, we’re more prepared, and we’re really looking forward to (the tournament)."
In order to prepare even further for the playoffs, head coach Kathy Dillon made sure before the year even began that the end of her regular-season schedule was loaded with quality teams. Once Monroe’s GMC White Division schedule ends, the Falcons face three straight games against GMC Red Division opponents before the tournament begins.
Dillon said she saw a hungry, cohesive bunch on the field against Woodbridge, one she can’t wait to turn loose on the postseason.
"We’ve got a lot of heart, a great deal of talent, and team chemistry. (Our players) have an intensity and desire, and I’m proud of the way they play," Dillon said. "It’s quite exciting to know we’re pushing our level of play up (lately), because I think we’re going to go into this tournament pretty strong."

