LHS girls soccer aims to impress

GIRLS SOCCER

By Tim Falls, Sports Editor
   The Lawrence High School girls varsity soccer team wants to be a team known for playing their best.
   The Cardinals want their fans to be able to see in the way the team competes that each player is giving her all.
   That determination was evident as Lawrence defeated Florence, 5-0, in their first preseason scrimmage on Monday.
   Lawrence was also scheduled to scrimmage Northern Burlington twice before starting the Colonial Valley Conference season with a game against Princeton at 4 p.m. on Sept. 7.
   "Florence is a small school," said Lawrence girls soccer coach Dave Boggs. "We’re hoping to get more competition in the next couple of scrimmages."
   Lawrence graduated nine seniors, including its four seniors captains from last season’s team.
   "Those were kids that had been with me since their freshman and sophomore years," said Boggs. "Our leadership has changed."
   The Cardinals return with an interesting mix of veteran players and eager newcomers.
   "It’s about half and half," said Boggs. "Half played varsity last year and half are kids excited they made the varsity team."
   Boggs said the 12 returning varsity players should blend well with Lawrence’s 12 new varsity players.
   "It’s a good mix," said Boggs. "I think they’ll be able to feed of each other’s energy and experience."
   Boggs said he was also impressed that many of his girls came into the preseason camp in very good shape. Boggs said many of the girls committed themselves to maintaining their fitness.

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       That’s obviously a sign of how the team wants to play its best.
   "We’ve been stressing that if people come out to see our games," said Boggs, "they’ll see a team that gives it their best each and every game. This is a team that wants to play to the best of their ability." Joining Boggs this season will be assistant coach and Lawrence High alumni, Dana Verdi. Lauren Gossner will be the junior varsity coach.
   The Cardinal seniors this season are Danielle Dziminski, Samantha Fitch, Kat Gyantar, Tricia Hannon, Kaity Jackson, Kristy Nakayama, Aisling O’Sullivan Roche, Miki Reed, Jackie Ruberto and Ivonne Sotovando.
   The Lawrence juniors are Lauren Alexander, Anna Brownschidle, Liz Darbee, Molly Goodell, Brynne Kelly, Jen Korngut, Nicole Krawczyk, Lauren Raymond and Kari Van Treuren.
   Nikki Eversberg, Lauren Immordino and Nikki Tracy are Cardinal sophomores and Rachel Darbee is a Lawrence freshman.
   Just like last year, Lawrence opens up with back-to-back games. After playing Princeton Friday, the Cardinals take on Bordentown on Saturday Morning.
   "It’ll be a challenge," said Boggs. "We’re looking forward to it."