Echeverri’s goals lift South field hockey
By Justin Feil, Assistant Sports Editor
Carolina Echeverri is doing a good job of making two transitions in one.
The sophomore is in her first year of varsity with the West Windsor-Plainsboro South field hockey team after jumping from playing on the Pirates freshman team last year. Echeverri is also adjusting to a move from the midfield to the forward line just three games ago.
”To come from the freshman team to start on varsity, that’s a big jump,” said Pirates head coach Christine Cabarle. “A lot don’t make that jump. Usually, if you did well as a freshman, if you’re not brought up, you do well on junior varsity. For her to be not just brought up to varsity, but doing so well is a testament to the type of athlete she is.”
It didn’t take Echeverri long to adjust. She switched spots with Tory Sharpless 10 minutes into a 2-1 loss to Stuart Country Day. Sharpless moved from forward to midfield while Echeverri moved up to forward for the first time in her career.
Echeverri notched the game-winners in her first two career starts at forward, 1-0 wins over Hightstown on Monday and Ewing on Tuesday that helped the Pirates improve to 2-3-1 this season. Her first two career goals have her looking for more.
”It was this cool amazing feeling,” Echeverri said. “I didn’t even see it happen, it happened so fast. We were all jumping up and down for joy because we were up.
”It was the same thing with our game (Tuesday). It happened so fast. It’s a huge rush. It’s awesome.”
Echeverri began her career in the back as a seventh and eighth grader. She moved up to midfield on the freshman team, and have found a home at forward for the Pirates, who host Notre Dame today.
”She’s just a workhorse,” Cabarle said. “She’s young. She’s never played a forward. But with her hustle, you’d never know. I can’t say enough about her. And Tory is the same thing. Steph Gati is another person to support her. Laura McCormick is finally healthy and getting her wind back so the forward line is starting to look better.”
The whole Pirates team is looking better. They are getting strong play in the back from goalie Sara Burnosky, who recorded back to back shutouts, as well as defenders Heather Jacobs, Casey Spencer and Nisha Patel. After allowing 12 corners in a loss to Robbinsville, they did not allow a corner in the win over Ewing. Moving Sharpless has bolstered the midfield.
”It allows her to have a lot more touches on the ball,” Cabarle said. “She knows the game the best.”
The Pirates have gained some offense in sliding Echeverri forward. She is getting more comfortable each game in her new position and with her new teammates.
”There’s a lot more lying on your shoulders because it’s varsity and it’s the highest level you can achieve,” Echeverri said. “You’re working with another set of people. It’s great working with the people on the varsity. They’re amazing people. It’s challenging, but it’s also a good feeling knowing you’re playing with people that trust your skills enough to pass you the ball.”
The Pirates are all the more likely to look for Echeverri after she has proven that she understands where to be in order to score goals.
”It’s really funny. I thought before, midfielder was a position I love,” Echeverri said. “As a forward, knowing now where I’m supposed to go and I can depend on my team, it makes it easier and more fun.”
Carolina Echeverri’s early success has affirmed that she belongs up top. The move has also coincided with a small winning streak. She is looking to continue to contribute from a new spot as the Pirates look for a third straight win today.
”It’s worked out well,” Echeverri said, “and I really like it now.”

