Top-seeded MHS next for South girls
By Justin Feil, Assistant Sports Editor
Liz Huttner doesn’t have many meaningful soccer games left in her career.
The West Windsor-Plainsboro South senior has committed to play softball at Lafayette College next year so she’s trying to make the most of her last state soccer tournament. The message from Huttner and her three fellow seniors before the Central Jersey ninth-seeded Pirates played at No. 8 Freehold Township on Tuesday was heartfelt.
”We don’t want this to be our last game,” Huttner said.
Huttner made eight saves and the Pirates weathered an early storm on the road before Kat Philbin scored off a feed from Heather Deamond with three minutes left in the upset win.
”I don’t even feel like seedings even matter,” Huttner said. “It’s anybody’s game. You realize, this could possibly be our last game. You go out with such intensity and heart, I don’t even care what the seeding is.”
Huttner and the Pirates, who almost yearly pull a states upset, go for an even bigger win when they play at top-seeded and unbeaten Montgomery High School 1 p.m. today.
”I think my girls can play with anybody,” said MHS head coach Chris Miller after her squad improved to 12-5-2. “I think they’ll see nice soccer. My girls play hard, but they’re not dirty. I think my team plays better against better teams. I think (WW-P South) tries to play possession, they don’t do too much long ball, but they can mix it up. They sent some long balls that were effective today. I think the teams that can adjust go forward.”
The Pirates dealt with a strong Freehold attack in the first half, then came out stronger in the second half. But with each minute, the tension grew as neither team scored.
”I try not to think about it,” Huttner said. “I like the pressure. If I make that one save, or if we make that one goal, it’s the best feeling ever. I tried not to think about it and take it one minute at a time.”
Finally, the Pirates got their break from Philbin, a sophomore that the Pirates kept originally on varsity to play defense. With the defense shored up with Michelle Morris, JoJo Schutzer, Jane Calder and Steph Dontas, Philbin moved forward to the midfield. Miller moved her one more line forward against Freehold, and Philbin epitomized the versatility that has been a strength of the Pirates.
”Kat Philbin is my auxiliary woman,” Miller said. “She’s a tireless worker. She scores a lot. She scores more with her head than anyone other than Maura (McLaughlin). I had a gut instinct she was going to score.
”She’s been playing outside mid. Against Ridgewood, who’s No. 1 in the North, she had the tying goal in the second half. We ended up losing, 2-1, in overtime. I’ve only played her a couple times at forward. We’re struggling a little to score. Teams are collapsing on Maura, and she’s looking for someone to give it to. Kat is a little taller up there and she’s strong.”
Philbin came up with her biggest goal of the season to propel the Pirates into the CJ IV quarterfinals and erase any doubts that lingered after back-to-back losses going into the state tournament. The defense did its part by stepping up its communication and shutting out a talented Freehold attack.
”I think we controlled the middle of the field,” Huttner said. “They were quick up top. Their best player was a freshman. We really played well at the defensive end. We cleared well and stepped to everything. We finally put one in with three minutes left.”
The goal was all the Pirates needed to advance to take on No. 1 Montgomery. For the South seniors, it’s one more chance and one more meaningful game.
”We have nothing to lose,” Huttner said. “They have everything to lose. If they beat us, it’s expected. If we beat them, it would be the upset of the playoffs. I’m excited for it.”