By Bob Nuse, Sports Editor
The West Windsor-Plainsboro High North girls soccer team has a new look on defense this year. And so far that look has led to winning.
Senior Marisa Edwards returns on defense for the Knights, but she is joined by three newcomers to the back line. Senior Christine Niciforo, plus juniors Brie Jacques and Sara Hayduchok have joined with Edwards to give the Knights a solid group in front of goalkeeper Stefanie Wisotsky.
On Tuesday evening at Mercer County Community College, the defense kept rival WW-P South off the scoreboard and the Knights improved to 2-0 with a 1-0 win.
”They are a really talented back four,” WW-P North coach Kevin Mackenzie said. “They are athletic and fast and they have adjusted very well to the positions. Christine played some at times last year but this is the first time she has played full-time and in the center. Marisa Edwards is an experienced defense. Brie Jacques this is her first time playing defense for me. She may have played a little bit last year. But the only one who played full-time defense for me last year was Marisa. Sara is such a good athlete and so fast I figured we’d put her on defense and see how she does and she is just a natural.”
The shutout win was the second of the season for the Knights, who topped Nottingham, 3-0, in their opener behind three goals from Jenn Ibanez. Against South, Hayduchok scored the only goal of the game off a corner assisted by Ilyssa Stark.
”We have some great chemistry,” Hayduchok said. “We all aren’t experienced as defenders so we all work on encouraging each other, not just in practice but also during games. We learn a lot from each other. This is the first time we have all played defense together and it has gone well so far.
”I used to play forward so I have more of an offensive mindset. When we had the corner I made sure to get into the perfect spot and it was the best opportunity I could have ever had.”
The win over the Pirates was the first for any of the current North players, which made the win special.
”These are our rivals and it is always one of the most important games for us,” Hayduchok said.
While it has only been two games, Hayduchok and her teammates in the back appear to have settled in nicely.
”I was really worried because I knew I didn’t train that well over the summer because I was focused on track,” Hayduchok said. “But when I came into the preseason I made sure that I worked hard in every practice. It has worked out well so far.”
Mackenzie came into the season thinking this could be a special season for the Knights. And after two games, the team has done nothing to dissuade his opinion.
”I like the players we had coming back,” Mackenzie said. “This team is as hard-working a team as I have seen. Not that we didn’t work hard before, but this team just works so hard. You can see it on the field. You get 80 minutes out of this team. They are very determined and get along really well.
”South is a quality team. I really felt that we could win this game.”
The Knights faced another test against Hopewell in a game that was scheduled to be played on Thursday. Hayduchok and her teammates were looking forward to the challenge.
”We have some great perseverance and a really good attitude on our team this year,” she said. “We’re excited for the season.”
