John Beisser, Sports Writer
In recent weeks there have been two constants for the Monroe Township High School girls soccer team.
It seems every time you turn around, the Falcons have recorded another win and Kelsey Schobert has scored another goal – or two, or three.
It’s more than coincidence that when the senior striker is finding the net, Monroe is finding the win column. Sporting a 4-2 record on Sept. 19 following consecutive defeats to powerhouses Woodbridge and North Brunswick, the Falcons have rattled off 10 consecutive victories heading into this weekend’s Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament.
By virtue of their fourth seed in the tournament (behind only East Brunswick, Woodbridge and Old Bridge), Monroe earned a first round bye and, will play the winner of the Mother Seton-JFK play-in game on either Friday or Saturday (the date was unknown at press time).
The way Monroe has been clicking in all phases, it hasn’t mattered who the Falcons have been playing of late, just as it doesn’t matter who has been marking Schobert.
Take last Saturday’s 10-0 whitewashing of overmatched Perth Amboy for example. Right in the thick of the scoring spree was Schobert, adding another two goals to give her a team-leading 14 on the season. Being the leading scorer on one of the state’s hottest teams, these are indeed happy and heady times for Schobert.
But it hasn’t all come easily for this skilled athlete.
As a sophomore two years ago, she suffered the injury perhaps most common and dreaded by any athlete, a torn ACL in her knee. Following surgery and months of torturous physical rehabilitation, Schobert worked herself back onto the field as a junior last year.
But it wasn’t until this past summer, while playing for her travel team alongside many of her high school teammates when she finally felt free, felt like she could loose and play without limitation, without worrying whether the knee would hold up or not.
”It’s been an exciting year for me, just coming back from the injury,” Schobert said. “I really appreciate being out there with my teammates after the injury and everything. It was a long road back.”
That long road returned her alongside the other 11 seniors on the Falcon team. With a total of 12 seniors, last Friday night’s Senior Night was extremely emotional for Monroe head coach Kathy Dillon, who is on the verge of bidding a fond farewell to the largest, deepest, and arguably, the most closely-knit senior class she has ever presided over.
With 12 seniors to honor, the pre-game ceremony seemed to take as long as the game. The fact that Monroe blanked a North Brunswick team that had entered with an 11-3 records and who had pinned a 2-1 loss on Monroe back on September 17, made the night particularly satisfying and memorable.
Nicole Ragucci, Danielle Klecha and Alanna Carr were the goal-scorers for Monroe while Nikki Meyers added two assists. Goalkeeper Caitlyn Hoskins added 11 saves to make for a fitting and complete Senior Night celebration.
”It was very emotional,” said Dillon, “I used to be at the middle school so I’ve coached this group of seniors for many years. It’s going to be very strange to lose 12 girls in one shot. This team’s chemistry is amazing and that all stems from these seniors.”
In Schobert, Dillon will need to find someone next season who can replace the skill, passion and flair she brings to the table each game. It will not be an easy task.
”Kelsey has worked very, very hard coming back from her blown knee,” said Dillon. “I have been so impressed by her work ethic and strength. She’s a scorer. What makes her so good is she has great field awareness, is strong, has decent speed and a real nose for the goal.”
Following her final spring roaming left field for the softball team, Schobert will likely leave her athletic career in her rear view mirror. A solid student, she plans to take her considerable talents to either Rutgers, TCNJ or Ramapo, in order to pursue a major in advertising design or communications.
As for her athletic future, she wants to rest her aching knees, preferring to blend in as a regular student.
But first, there is some unfinished business to tend to on the soccer pitch and the task at hand is focusing on the GMC’s and the NJSIAA Tournament to follow. There still remain goals to score and games to win.
For Monroe High School and Kelsey Schobert, the two seem to go hand in hand.
