Obstacles build character for Cardinals

GIRLS SOCCER

By: Mike Molaro
   The true character of a team is developed when adversity rears its ugly head and is measured in how well the spirit handles those obstacles.
   For the Lawrence High School girl’s soccer squad, there never was any question about the heart and soul that fueled the passion on the field. Despite a 4-12-2 record, the Lady Cardinals never backed down and refused to take the easy way out.
   Lawrence took its lumps during the 2006 season, but never once did the Cardinals fall back on excuses. They were outscored, but never outworked.
   "This team wanted to get better each game," head coach Dave Boggs said. "You can’t ask for more as a coach. We were looking to improve as the season went on and we did that. We won our final two games of the year. Another positive is that this season we lost to West Windsor-Plainsboro North 2-0 and last year they beat us 5-0."
   Boggs credits his team’s positive attitude to the nine seniors who brought veteran leadership and class to every practice and every game.
   It was the enthusiasm and synergy of defender Kelsey Petrone, forwards Andy Sandoval and Erica Buher, goalie Dianna Pfister, midfielder Sara Jane Dunham and captains midfielders Aubrey Smith and Sarah Pearson and defenders Colleen Kelley and Cara Brobst that brought the Cardinals closer as a team rather than heading off into splintered cliques.
   "The seniors were the main reason this team got along," added Boggs. "Usually when there are a lot of losses, there’s a lot of finger pointing and everybody blaming everyone else. "There was no blaming on this team. We won as a team and we lost as a team. A great deal of that credit goes to our seniors, especially our captains."
   Instead of sulking, Lawrence used each game as a learning experience.
   "We talked a lot about what we did and what we didn’t do," Boggs said. "From that came a lot of character lessons. The girls had fun and kept working hard. "I’m extremely proud of our team’s sportsmanship throughout the season and that the girls kept putting forth the effort."
   Smith, a four-year varsity starter, and three-year starters Pearson, Kelley, and Brobst were the foundation on which Boggs heavily relied. They provided the bricks and mortar that kept the Cardinal house together.
   "Our captains kept on going," added Boggs. "They never gave up. They kept working. All four are very positive people. They are good leaders and helped us get through the season and end in positive fashion."
   It will be difficult for the Cardinals to replace the nine upperclassmen, especially the four captains.
   "Aubrey is a terrific leader," Boggs said. "She was always there for the younger players. She was always ready to share with others and she has an incredibly hard shot. With Sarah, you know that you will get 100% every game. She takes every game seriously and is a pleasure to coach. "Colleen is very passionate about the game. She is very durable and played almost every minute of every game. She always left her heart on the field. Cara is extremely quick and athletic. She will go all out. She was a positive life force for our team. She was always on an even keel."
   Pearson, who recently was selected by the Mercer County coaches to the Mercer 33 for the second time in her career, will attend St. Olaf College in Minnesota next fall while Smith, Kelley, and Brobst are undecided and still reviewing their college choices.
   In Lawrence’s 3-0 season finale triumph over Robbinsville, Boggs watched the final seconds tick off the clock knowing it would be the final time he would coach his nine upperclassmen.
   "We had the entire senior class out there for the final whistle," he added. "There were a lot of emotions going through my mind. I will miss all of them. I have coached some of them since they were eight. "Ironically, Dianna (Pfister) and Sara Jane (Dunham) are the last Robbinsville residents to play soccer at Lawrence. That just added to the moment."
   As the seniors’ careers wound down, the rest of the Cardinals gave them a positive going-away thank you.
   "The girls played for the seniors in our final couple of games," Boggs said. "The underclassmen really stepped up for them."
   The nine seniors, who gave so much of themselves, received the greatest gift of all: the respect and love of their teammates.That kind of character can’t be measured on the scoreboard.