Campellone anchors defense for Hun side
By Justin Feil, Assistant Sports Editor
Nicole Campellone helped the Hun School girls soccer defense shut out Mercersburg Academy, 6-0, Saturday.
The Raiders also beat Mercersburg in a big shutout last year, but that’s where the similarities between the start to the past two seasons end. Unlike last season when Hun didn’t pick up its second win of the season until the 11th game of the year, the Raiders are 5-0.
”It feels really good being undefeated after five games,” Campellone said. “Last year, we had a rocky season and a rocky start. It feels really great to be undefeated and hopefully we’ll continue that for the rest of the season.”
The Raiders play at Episcopal Academy today in the start of a tougher stretch. They will play Pennington and Lawrenceville next week, followed by a strong Robbinsville High squad the following week.
”I really look forward to it,” said Campellone, a West Windsor resident. “These are definitely going to be the games that will challenge us the most. We’re 5-0, but the games we’ve played are against some of the weaker competitors. I think that’s good for us. It gives you confidence. We’re playing our strongest competitors coming up.”
The Raiders have been tested this year. Three of their wins have been one-goal victories, including a 3-2 overtime win over Princeton Day School last Wednesday. Hun surrendered a 2-0 halftime lead, but Holly Hargreaves’ third goal of the game was the game-winner.
”It was a great chance to see what we were made of,” said Hun head coach Ken Stevenson. “We went back to how we dominated in the first half. It was all effort. It was all believing in each other.”
Campellone is one of the believers. She could have had some misgivings as Hun’s four seniors left some holes on the defensive end.
”I guess I was a little nervous,” Campellone said. “Those were where the seniors that graduated played and we needed to fill that. We had a pre-preseason where a bunch of the freshmen came and we just scrimmaged. Right from then I could tell the freshmen had the skills that would be needed in that position and they’d be OK back there.”
Hun is employing a flat back four on defense this year. It’s a bit of a change for the Raiders, but not for Campellone.
”Last year, we did three across the back,” she said. “I play on a club team, and we play the same (flat back four) formation. I’m comfortable with it. For some of the incoming freshmen, it’s new for them. Right now, we’re working on positions and moving as a back four to prevent through balls and balls that go over us. We’re progressing and learning what we can do better and what we have to fix.”
Campellone and fellow senior Nicole Shockley man the middle of the back four, freshman Ashley Maziarz is on their left and the right side has freshman Phoebe Huang. Jess Sacco has been a nice addition at defensive center mid. Goalie Lexi Golestani is another senior that has helped to steer the Raiders off to a promising start.
”Just as a team the way all the players mesh together, whether it’s all the seniors and freshmen, and the way they’ve blended together off the field, it’s important,” Campellone said. “It allows us to work better on the field. It’s allowed us to learn how each player works on the field and that’s helping us get the wins.”
It also helps that the Raiders have been finding the back of the net. After a combined three goals in their first two wins, they haven’t been held under three goals in any of their last three contests.
”It’s been really nice,” Campellone said. “Some of the past seasons, we weren’t scoring as much. This year, with Holly Hargreaves and ‘Bama (Alabama resident Angelica Tabares), they’ve been working really well together and they’re still learning how each other play. They’ve been having a lot of combination plays and been getting a lot of shots off. We’d shoot and not follow our shots in the past, and now we are. Even our freshmen are shooting and following them. It’s great to have those opportunities, whether the ball goes in the net or not.”
Added Stevenson: “For the offense to be as productive as it’s been is very exciting. Something we have traditionally had, is we’re getting goals from a lot of people. Gianna Crivelli scored the game-winner against George. It’s the first goal she scored for me, and she’s a junior. It’s been great to see.”
Stevenson hasn’t had to worry about the defense either. The veterans have helped to take the lead for the newcomers, and they’ve made some big plays.
”Nicole has had three clears off the goal line,” Stevenson said. “She’s had two slide tackles in the penalty box that saved goals. She’s at a whole different level. We’ve put up a bunch of goals, but it really starts in the back.”
Campellone is adjusting to being a senior captain for the Raiders, and the expectations that come with that responsibility.
”It’s a lot different,” Campellone said. “For the past three years, I’ve always looked up to the seniors and followed in those footsteps. This year, I’m forced to be more vocal. I’m usually more laid back and quiet. I have to go a little out of my comfort zone. I’m trying to help lead with Holly and Lexi. It’s definitely a little different.”
The Raiders have fallen into their roles quickly. Figuring out each player’s role has been settled, and now it’s a matter of getting better at their roles.
”It’s been very rewarding to watch them early on start to pull together and work together,” Stevenson said. “Talent is great, but they have to be willing to play for each other. I’m starting to see that emerge.”
It’s come together for an unbeaten start, and the Raiders still think they can play better.
”The major thing is that the units need to start connecting to each other a little better,” Stevenson said. “The defense is pretty solid. The midfield pretty solid. The forwards are pretty solid. Those linkages, and being as efficient as possible, is important. We play a possession game. We need to maintain possession and build.”
Nicole Campellone couldn’t be happier with Hun’s start. She’s hoping to continue her career in college next year, after a big finish to her final scholastic season.
”I think we just come out every game knowing we want to win and because everyone has that same motive every game, we all want to work for each other,” Campellone said. “I think that really helps in the end.”