By: centraljersey.com
The McEnroe sisters are still enjoying their final scholastic season together with the Hillsborough High School girls soccer team, even if they aren’t playing as close to each other anymore.
While Melissa, a senior, remains on defense at center back, Michelle, a sophomore who played stopper last year as a freshman, has moved up to the midfield.
"I’m adjusting to it," Michelle said. "I really like it because I get to be more involved in the attack and take more shots and be a part of the offense more. And I still get to work with her, just combining with the offense."
Hillsborough can afford to push Michelle forward because of the emergence of transfer Eva Banton, a sophomore from Florida. She has helped strengthen the defense, and even provided the overtime game-winner on a 35-yard free kick for a 2-1 win over previously unbeaten Princeton Day on Monday.
"Other coaches have mentioned her and fans have too," said Raiders head coach LeeAnn Best, whose team opened the season with 4-3-1 record. "She’s settled in this week and found a level of comfort. She’s been playing really great too."
Banton’s game-winner was the second such strike in four days. Last Thursday, it was Michelle McEnroe who blasted a 30-plus yard strike for a 2-1 overtime win over Hunterdon Central.
"It was really exciting to be the hero with the game-winning goal," said Michelle, who also assisted on the first goal. "It was really exciting. It’s something that’s never happened. It was a good experience."
Melissa had a good vantage point from her spot in the back of exactly what the Raiders pictured when they slid her younger sister forward.
"That’s her shot," Melissa said. "That’s what she’s known for. That’s the kind of shot we need. That’s why we moved her up.
"I think it gives us more of an offensive powerhouse. She has a strong foot. She can kick it from far out. If she’s not taking shots, she can play-make. Either she gets it done from outside, or she supports the forwards."
As Michelle gets involved more regularly in the offensive end, the Raiders offense expects to feel a needed lift.
"I feel like we’re strong competition," Melissa said. "We’re up there playing as well as every other team. Other teams have been able to finish when it matters. We’re putting the pieces together. I think we can go far."
It is still taking some time for Michelle to change her thinking to her new role. With the Raiders last year – even though she tied for the team lead in goals scored, mostly off penalty kicks and a couple of corner kicks – and with her club team, she’s always played a defensive role.
"I’ve been trying to get her to shoot more," Best said. "She’s a great, great player. I tell her, you have a long range shot that’s accurate. I try to push the kids without doing it so much to turn them away."
Michelle and Melissa’s brother, Vincent, was also a defensive minded player for the Hillsborough boys soccer team that he graduated from after the 2008 season. Their younger brother, though, plays forward. The defensive mindset had the sisters in the back together last season.
"It was nice playing with my sister in the back," Michelle said. "She supported me."
Now, it’s just Melissa in the back.
"She’s doing really well this year," Michelle said. "I think she wants to leave a good impression with the defense. It’s going to be hard to replace her."
Melissa is the typical senior looking to go out on top. She is exploring Division III opportunities to continue her career.
"I’m definitely trying to make the most of this season," Melissa said. "This is probably the strongest team we’ve had in my time. It’s very memorable, especially with her."
The Raiders feel their team will be ready when the most important games of the year are here. The Somerset County Tournament and state tournaments are the times when the Raiders want to be playing their best, and they are encouraged by what they’ve seen in their start.
"Our energy, everyone feeds off each other," Michelle said. "We’re a real positive team. We’re real close. It helps on the field. Our possession has been really good. Settling down and finding feet and staying relaxed on the ball has been good."
Added Melissa: "We’re starting to figure out what works best at the best times. By this time, we’ve been together long enough to figure out who works together best against what teams. When we all put it together, we really work well together."
The Raiders host Bridgewater-Raritan 3:45 p.m. today, could have a county game Saturday, then play at Watchung Hils on Tuesday. On Thursday, Oct. 7, the Raiders’ Senior Night, they will host North Hunterdon at 6 p.m. in a Kick-Out Cancer game. One hundred percent of the proceeds will go to "Dance for the Cure," which supports families from the Hillsborough area that have been affected by cancer. The Raiders hope the night generates a lot of cancer support, and another step in the right direction for the growth of the team.
"Our main focus has to try to be consistent," Best said. "We are a good team. Player for player, there’s a lot of experience with us. There’s a lot of talent. It’s a matter of staying consistent and battling every game."
That’s something she can count on from the McEnroe sisters, regardless of where they are on the field for the Raiders.

