MUSTANG ROUNDUP
by Rudy Brandl, Sports Editor
The Manville High girls’ soccer team entered last week on a two-game win streak looking for more.
With two games on the slate against neighboring rival and fellow Group 1 school Bound Brook, things looked promising for the Lady Mustangs, who had pummeled Dunellen and knocked off North Plainfield for their first two-game surge since 2006.
Manville fell to 2-11 on the season with two losses to Bound Brook and a lopsided setback vs. a talented Mount St. Mary club that recently upset Group 4 school Hillsborough in the Somerset County Tournament.
The Lady Mustangs managed only one goal the entire week, a second-half tally by junior Amy Evanylo in the second half of the first Bound Brook game. That match in Manville was scoreless at the half but Bound Brook’s Valerie Lasko took charge with three goals after the break. Lasko also scored the game’s only goal in Friday’s 1-0 decision at Bound Brook.
MHS goalkeepers Sylwia Pupek (6) and Megan Loriot (7) split time in the first game of the week. Pupek was magnificent in Friday’s game with 17 saves. Lasko got loose for a breakaway in the first half for the game’s only goal.
Manville, which had been averaging over two goals per game, couldn’t get much going offensively last week. The team was set to play at North Warren and Belvidere this week before returning home for a Friday match against Middlesex.
Boys can’t score
in two losses
The MHS boys’ soccer team endured a scoreless week, falling 2-0 to Bound Brook and 1-0 to North Plainfield.
MHS played North Plainfield much tighter in the second meeting between the schools. The game was scoreless until the 65th minute, when Pablo Valladares netted the lone goal.
Senior goalkeeper Matt Zangara did his best to keep the Mustangs in the game, making 15 saves to keep the Canucks off the board for most of the game.
Manville (1-14) has games remaining vs. North Warren, Belvidere, Middlesex, Sussex Tech and Highland Park. This week’s games vs. North Warren and Belvidere and the Oct. 29 finale vs. Highland Park will be at home.

