Junior goalie has filled preseason need for Vikes
By John Beisser, Sports Writer
Led by the stellar goalkeeping of junior Lauren Viverito, who is more than ably filling the shoes of the graduated Susie Miller, the South Brunswick girls soccer team has been a competitive force as the Vikings hit the midway point of the season.
Through Oct. 7, SBHS was 5-4 on the season but with a bounce here or a break there, it’s a mark that easily could be two to three games better.
When a team competes in the grueling Greater Middlesex Conference Red Division, it means two games a year vs. perennial state powerhouse East Brunswick. The Vikings have had two down-to-the-wire battles with the Bears and have come up just short each time.
Earlier in the season, South Brunswick dropped a 1-0 double-overtime decision to the Bears and then, this past Monday, the Vikings were edged by that same 1-0 count in the return home game.
In addition to Viverito South Brunswick has been getting solid play in many areas, notably on defense where senior back Shannon O’Brien has been an “unsung hero,” according to coach Beth Barrio, marking opposing team’s best offensive plays each game.
Senior Verina Atalla leads the team in scoring with six goals and four assists while sophomore Jenna Bussiere, who has three goals and an assist, has been a “workhorse” says Barrio.
South Brunswick has a 5-2 record in Red Division play with both defeats coming to EB. If not for the oft-times spectacular play of Viverito between the pipes, neither game with East Brunswick would have been nearly as close.
”Lauren had 18 saves (Monday) and at least six of those came on breakaways where she was one-on-one with the offensive player,” Barrio said. “Several of those really should have been goals.”
The Vikings were blessed to have one of the county’s very best in goal the past few years in Miller. Coming into the season, this ultra-important position was somewhat up in the air as Viverito and classmate Julie Rekant split time as the jayvee goalies as sophomores last season.
It didn’t take Barrio long to learn that what was thought to be a question mark was actually a strength.
”Lauren’s done a great job all year. She really takes control back there,” said the coach. “She’s very vocal and in charge and communicates well with her defenders. Plus, she has great instincts. In making decisions, her first instinct as to whether to come out of the goal or stay back is usually the right one.”
Viverito, whose older sister Caryn is a former Viking who now plays midfield for Muhlenberg College, caught the soccer bug at a young age.
”I used to play in the field like my sister but I’ve been mostly a goalie,” she said. “I like goalie because I get to see everything. I get to take control while seeing what’s going on out there all the time. It’s great to have really good defenders in front of me and I’m lucky to have that. They really help me out there.”
Viverito says having Miller as a mentor was a big help in her development as a goalie.
”She was very positive and the thing that sticks out for me about Susie is her work ethic,” she said. “She was a really hard worker so I work hard now to be like her.”
All that work seems to be paying off.

