BY: Kyle Moylan Sports Editor
Kristen Gustis has a convenient memory. She wants her team to get better every day and never look too far ahead. As a result, the Allentown High girls’ soccer coach doesn’t dwell too much on the past.
Gustis is entering her third year on the job. Her team won three games in the first year and seven in 2007.
“I don’t even remember the overall records,” Gustis said.
What Gustis does recall is the team was greatly improved from the one she had in 2006. The 2007 team even improved on a daily basis. Evidence of improvement came from not only the four extra wins, but the fact even the losses were much more competitive.
“We want to worry about things we can control,” Gustis said. “I try not to ever look further than the next game.”
Allentown is scheduled to open the season with a pair of away games this weekend. Allentown will be at West Windsor North for a game at 4 p.m. on Friday. It will be at Lawrence for a 3 p.m. start on Saturday.
When talking about her team earlier this week, Gustis didn’t even want to discuss those games because she still had scrimmage contests on the schedule.
Hey, a good way to make sure you will not trip and fall is to keep from rushing and make sure you never get too far ahead of yourself.
Gustis has been patiently building the girls’ soccer program, starting with putting five freshmen on the varsity in 2006.
Those freshmen are now juniors. They are Shelby Doll (stopper), Marissa Waldie (goalie), Kristen Taft (forward), Christa Bonham (forward) and Marissa Serano (center mid).
They will join a solid core of seniors, starting with Haley Wilhelm.
“Haley is a sweeper and our captain for the second year in a row,” Gustis noted. “She played center mid last year and is also our backup goalie. She’s the team MVP. She can play anywhere.”
Hayley Odell is a senior that plays center forward. She was one of the top scorers on the team last year.
Dawn Taylor and Kelsey Glover are seniors that should play somewhere in the defense or midfield.
Other juniors are Megan Gallagher (fullback), Carissa Canzano (midfield/forward) and Jaime Kalan (midfield).
As she has proven in her first two seasons, Gustis does not mind playing underclassmen. In fact, the coach doesn’t seem to care what grade a player is.
Sophomores in the mix are Ashley Wiscovitch (fullback), Samantha Sloane (midfield/defense), and Chelsea Laday (midfield).
Freshmen that should make an impact include Samantha Abbott (anywhere) and Sara Mottram (forward). Danielle and Vanessa Rivas, twins that play midfield, round out the varsity roster.
While she has a rough idea of the lineup, Gustis sees herself as a very flexible coach.
“One or two spots in the lineup might be set, but the rest are up for grabs,” Gustis said.
“A good thing about my team is the fact the girls are willing to move around.”
Gustis, who will be assisted by Melanie Samuels and Jennifer Abrams, is also happy with the camaraderie of the girls.
“Everyone seems to get along,” Gustis said.
That might not seem like a big deal, but it really is. That’s especially true with a program like Allentown’s that’s slowly building and needs to keep everyone on the same page.
“We’re hoping to continue to improve,” Gustis said. “We’re hoping to get to .500, so we can make the states. If we keep improving, we’ll definitely make it.”
But that’s a long ways off. Right now the focus is on the next game.

