Most of team eligible to return
by John E. Powers, Sports Writer
In the last few games of the season, Manville High School girls’ soccer coach Erin Delaney would look at her team, whether in practice or a game, and simply say, “this is my team, this is it,” meaning that virtually every player should return next season.
So, after a 3-14-1 season, the Lady Mustangs do have a very strong cast of players returning in 2009. But once again the Manville girls will face the brutal Skyland Conference schedule with the likes of Mount St. Mary, Somerville, Delaware Valley and Hackettstown. Many 2008 foes like Bernards, Hackettstown, Highland Park, Delaware Valley, Somerville and Mount St. Mary all made the state tournament this year.
The MHS girls improved their offense in 2008, scoring 28 goals. They won two more games they were 1-17 last year and played well enough to win in a few others. The Lady Mustangs scored only eight goals last year.
”I think two of the highlights were the games with Belvidere,” said Delaney, who finished her fifth year as head coach. “Those two games we were so close to winning and definitely we feel it’s within our reach. Belvidere had shut us out and we hadn’t had too many scoring opportunities against them in the past.”
Manville lost the games to Belvidere, 4-3 and 3-2, fading late in regulation after having had leads.
”They were very exciting games,” Delaney said.
Maybe next year they’ll be able to close games like that out.
Junior forward Amy Evanylo led the team with 10 goals and five assists, sophomore midfielder Sabrina Brozyna had four goals and four assists and sophomore Anna Isachenko and her sister Sima Isachenko netted three goals apiece. Sophomore Christine Pohl had two goals and two assists and senior Angelika Lazur, who missed most of the season with knee injuries, had three goals and an assist.
”It was good to see Amy become more aggressive offensively,” Delaney said. “Sabrina stepped it up. I really had to use her in a lot of different positions. When we fell short on defense we had to drop her back, sometimes she played center mid. When somebody was injured or taken out, she would do a good job as an outside mid.”
Pohl was another versatile player.
”I felt in the center she was untouchable,” Delaney said. “She’s very aggressive and very determined. She did a great job of distributing to the forwards to Sabrina and Amy.
”We’re definitely looking for Sima to be dominant offensively next year and Amy as well,” Delaney added. “I know there may be a few freshmen next year, but this is the group I’m going to have next year.”
The team really missed the leadership of Lazur, Delaney said.
”She was a very aggressive, dominant figure,” Delaney said. ““She was one of our leaders and the girls responded well to her. She was very athletic and has good sense, especially up top as a forward.”
Junior Dana Mortensen was a leader on defense along with senior Rebecca Burke. Mortensen had a goal and assist.
”Dana was the heart of the defense,” Delaney said. ““Throughout the season she played through injuries and was very determined. She’s a very skilled soccer player.”
Burke also had injuries.
”She had a good season and we had to move her a couple of times,” Delaney said. “We moved her to center mid. She was very aggressive and worked well on defense with Dana. The two worked well. This season, the defense really took a beating because we played against some very good offensive teams, offensive powerhouses. Our kids were able to keep it somewhat under control.”
Junior keeper Sylwia Pupek made 249 saves in a very busy season.
”We really have to work on shutting down the shot totals,” Delaney said. “Teams were getting 26 shots a game. That shouldn’t be happening.”
Injuries wore the backline down.
”Pupek started off the season phenomenally,” Delaney said. “She’s so determined, so very aggressive. The only thing that hurt her was that she has a no fear attitude and she doesn’t mind diving, doesn’t mind getting dirty, getting hit, kicked, punched and elbowed. The only problem is her height. Teams would tip shots over her head when she was out of her goal. It was a hard lesson. She would come out too much.”
Sophomore middie Tara Covert started at outside mid, then went to defense.
”Offensively she kept getting stronger, but she was outstanding on defense when Dana and Rebecca needed help,” Delaney said. “She did a great job, learning a lot about those positions.”
The MHS girls were able to earn their first two-game winning streak in two years when they beat Dunellen 6-0 and North Plainfield 3-1.
Delaney pointed out that freshman keeper Megan Loriot had never played the position, but made 51 saves in three games.
”Hopefully, she’ll continue to work on her skills,” Delaney said.
Sophomore defender Anh Le and sophomore forward Agnieszka Strekowska contributed along with freshman middie Ericka Guevara, freshman defender Michelle Hernandez and freshman defender Brooke Lathi. Junior defender Erin Lipot had a goal against Belvidere. Hernandez joined the team after transferring from Montgomery. Sophomore defender Corrine DeSantis was impressive.
”Corrine improved as the season went on,” Delaney said. “She was strong on the outside as a fullback.”

