Girls soccer hosts Franklin to start season
By Justin Feil, The Packet Group
Deep and talented, the Hillsborough High School girls soccer team has the chance to compete with some of the best teams in the state, who just happen to reside in their Skyland Conference.
The Raiders took on a traditionally strong East Brunswick team in their first pre-season scrimmage Tuesday and came away with a 1-0 victory that had some encouraging signs.
”I liked our work rate, I liked our energy, I liked our fitness,” said Hillsborough head coach LeeAnn Best. “I thought we looked better on a hot day than they did. I liked the coachabilty of the group. They’re very open-minded. They were really listening to what we were trying to get them to do. And I like that we have a little more offense this year.”
Best comes into the season excited about the potential for a group that brings a mix of varsity experience, but has plenty of soccer years behind it. Their overall experience — even if it’s not at the high school varsity level — could help overcome big losses from last year’s 8-12-1 season that was capped by a run to the sectional semifinals.
”I graduated nine, I lost one to a move and one quit who would have been a senior,” Best said. “I got two girls back from surgery. We have a lot of young talent. I’m going to say we have a lot of experience, there’s a lot of soccer knowledge out there. It’s getting them to have one philosophy, not the seven of the different high level teams they’re on.
”They come from successful club teams or have had successful springs that hopefully will carry over,” she added. “The older kids have been waiting in the shadows to shine.”
They will get their chance this year, though getting on the field won’t be easy, not with a good mix of skill across the board, and everyone wanting to take on the top-flight competition.
”Our conference is just incredible,” Best said. “You could have a really good team, and you know you’re going to have to work really hard. I probably have 13 or 14 starters on my team. It’s probably a different lineup every day. In the past, I’ve had eight or nine starters and filled in the last spots. I think it’s one of the best groups I’ve had in a long time in terms of depth and talent.”
That depth could be the key to Hillsborough breaking through in a tough conference. Best is banking on it to help them contend.
”I think if we can trust each other and rely on each other, we have 11 strong players, we might not have two or three star players, but we can outnumber other teams,” she said. “We need to stay healthy and stay together and try to follow through with our philosophy. We can’t go in and anticipate a win or a loss based on how we’ve done with teams in the past. We can’t think about how good these other teams are, we have to go in there and play.”
Hillsborough saw some of the fruits of their regular-season schedule when they got into the postseason. The Raiders played some of their best soccer in the final weeks as they pulled a pair of upsets in the Central Jersey Group IV state tournament before running into eventual state champion and conference rival Montgomery in the sectional semifinals.
”I think it’s helpful,” Best said of the late stretch. “I think as a coach, you reflect and learn things. What we learned from that run, we had a break with that hurricane and came together and were able to relax. Ending on a strong note always carries over.
”It was unfortunate that we met Montgomery so early. They won the whole thing. It was 1-1 until 12 minutes left, but that was pretty good. It was a confidence builder. Replacing what we lost and jumping on some of the younger players we have, I think we have the potential to do well.”
Getting a positive result in their first scrimmage was a good start, especially for a team with some young pieces that could use a nudge of confidence.
”We worked hard and got that win over a traditionally pretty strong team,” Best said. “They can start believing it. It’s a step in the right direction.”
Leading this year’s team is four captains — seniors Kat Albanese, Lyra Biancamano and Suzie Inglin, who is coming off surgery last year, and sophomore Kate Swetz, who made quite a debut as a freshman last season.
Also back from an injury that kept her out during last fall is Julianne Minutillo, the Villanova University commit who will patrol the center midfield but is versatile enough to be used anywhere that the Raiders need her. She will be trying to get the ball up to new sophomore Christine Mayorga, who moves from Bound Brook, where she was the leading scorer as a freshman.
Said Best: “She kind of brings a little flair we haven’t seen in a while that creates a little more offense and a little more hunger.”
Nicole Russo is a junior, and Best expects a breakout year. She also has some fleet midfielders in Casey Kelly and Olivia Mukendi to work with Minutillo.
”Our two outside mids were the 400 sectional champion and third place, I think,” said Best. “There’s some wheels there so I’m thinking we can get forward. Our other outside mids Tori Minutillo and Kate Swetz, who’s a freshman, who’s PDA team went to nationals and lost so there’s some talent there.
”Her oldest sister is a senior and she is back from injury last year. Her PDA just won the national tournament. She’s coming off a great summer season.”
The Raiders will host Franklin on Sept. 6 to kick off a season of promise. They face Cranford and Voorhees and then return to conference play for the rest of the regular season. Best feels this year’s group is better equipped to handle the challenges of the schedule.
”We have more depth, a little more speed, and definitely the soccer knowledge is greater,” she said. “It’s a little more even keeled. Last year it was like the seniors, then everyone else.”