Marino enjoying final soccer season

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

By: Rudy Brandl
   FRANKLIN — Katie Marino is playing organized soccer for the last time and she wants to make it count.
   The Hillsborough High senior made the difference in Saturday’s Somerset County Tournament quarterfinal game at Soccer Centers in Franklin Township. Marino scored the game’s only goal with 1:10 remaining in the first half to lift the Lady Raiders to a 1-0 victory over Somerville.
   Marino, also a standout lacrosse player at HHS, is the Hillsborough Beacon Athlete of the Week.
   Although she’s a senior and four-year varsity player, Marino is not one of the team’s captains. She certainly played like one Saturday.
   "She always works hard out there," Lady Raider head coach LeeAnn Wyble said. "I never have to wonder if Katie is doing her best. The kids look up to her and she’s a leader."
   Marino has given her verbal commitment to play lacrosse at Rutgers next year. For now, she’s enjoying her final year of high school soccer. Marino has made a smooth transition from midfield to the new target forward position.
   "I like it," she said. "I played it in preseason a lot. It was a big adjustment, but I like to score."
   She’s also enjoying playing alongside her younger sister, Tina, a sophomore midfielder. Katie recently assisted on one of Tina’s goals when the HHS girls defeated Immaculata.
   "I like playing with her a lot," Katie said. "At home, we don’t get along all the time. On the field, we can work together. It’s fun."
   The Marino sisters hope to help the Lady Raiders get back to the county finals for the third straight year. It will be Katie’s last chance to win a county title.
   "I’m just giving it my all and trying my hardest," Katie Marino said. "I’m not going to play soccer in college, so I want to leave it all out on the field."