Viking teams enjoyed productive autumn

By: Rich Fisher
   The Cranbury School boys soccer team finished on a high note this year, beating Kreps 3-2 in the season finale.
   Mike Hellstern scored two goals, while Scott Barbano also scored off an assist from Zach Halliday.
   The Vikings finished 10-3-1 overall, and their 5-2-1 Tri-County Conference record was good for second place, one game behind Millstone.
   Coach Frank Silva could not say enough about the play of his 8th-grade captains this season.
   "The leadership of my captains was incredible," Silva said. "I never saw a group of boys respond to captains like this group did. The machine ran smooth in the beginning but we hit a rough patch in the road, but it was still a good season.
   "This was a great group of kids this season. I have a lot of 6th graders coming back and I hope I can find some leadership like I had with John Marsh, Mike Hellstern and John Hornyak."
   Other 8th-graders were Adam Pavley, Mike Sorrentino, Ethan Barron and Greg Kishyk. Returning next year will be 7th-graders Cliff Mawn, Will Schwarz, Elliott Watson and Addison Hebert, and 6th-graders Aidan Passannante, Halliday, Leo Schraudenbach and Barbano.
GIRLS SOCCER
   The Viking girls concluded their season with a 3-2 loss to Kreps, which finalized their season record to an impressive 6-4-3. The Vikings outscored their opponents, 42-23.
   "No one can deny the unbelievable success this team had this year," coach Meredith Montenare said.
   Lexi Stasi led the team with eight goals, followed by, Logan O’Meara (10) and Mackenzie Henderson (8). Stasi also had eight assists and Brianna Lundquist added four.
   "Defensively, Jen Barone really stepped it up in goal for us," Montenare said. "Carly O’Brien, Taylor Blair, and Kelsey Turp did an excellent job this season on defense, they are a big reason why we were so successful.
   "However, everyone should be commended for their amazing effort. It was well done. I am so lucky to have had the chance to work with so many talented young girls, and I am sad that I have to say goodbye."
   The coach added that the Vikings are also winners off the field.
   "Not only are these girls talented," she said, "but they are wonderful people too. I knew right from the beginning that this team was special. I wish them the best of luck in high school and tremendous success in future endeavors."
   The remainder of the team included Andrea Hines, Kate Mayes, Kelly O’Grady, Emily Schraudenbach, Yasmine Swanson, Kelsey Turp and Veronica Spann.
CROSS COUNTRY
   The Viking cross country team finished its season last week against Community and Grover.
   "Many of the kids reached their goal of consistently improving their personal best times," coach Jay Gilligan said. "I was proud of all the athletes."
   Gilligan says farewell to 8th-graders Bill Wiseman, Andrew Coleman, Alex Charwin, Peter Sockler, Alyssa Torske, Ginny Rogers, Jason Fazzaro, Anne Bonazzi and Max Dickey.
   Returning next year will be 7th- graders Jenna Cody, Abby Gordon, Jamie Monroe, Ivy Miller, Emily Stout, Brianna Hanson, Alexa Reifinger, Molly Mucciarone, Angelo Cao, Josh Irving, Shivani Vituntin, Rachael Wanat, Meg Pawlak, Olivia Carr and Ashley Alfano, and 6th-graders Luke Bozich, Daniel Kennedy-Moore, Tim Brennan, Andrew Johnson, Rebecca Mayer, Matt Wong, Christina Till and Amelia Whaley.