Sydney Lavan watched from the sidelines last season as a freshman while Monmouth University’s women’s soccer team rampaged through the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) in its first season as a member, and the Jackson resident hopes to get her chance to take the field this season.
The Hawks are replacing goalkeeper Ashley Lewis, who had 13 individual shutouts and recorded the nation’s top shutout percentage and seventh-best goalsagainst average in NCAA at 0.48 in her final year of eligibility last season, when the Hawks made the NCAA Tournament, losing their opener, 3-0, to Pennsylvania State University.
“It’s been going really well. Each day I’m competing, and it’s a great atmosphere to fit in. I’m ready,” Lavan said at the end of preseason workouts. “I had a good spring season and I’m really confident.”
The sophomore comes into the season backing up Nicole D’Agostino, a resident of Clarendon Hills, Ill., and a graduate student who transferred from the University of Pittsburgh, where she started for two seasons. D’Agostino made five saves as Monmouth lost its season-opener, 3-2, on Aug. 22 against the University of Delaware, which broke loose for the deciding goal at the 88th minute on a blast from 18 yards out.
“We battled back twice [to tie the score], which is a good quality to have. But we need to do a better job of team defending, as we allowed Delaware too many shots,” head coach Krissy Turner said, as the Blue Hens outshot Monmouth, 15-6, including 11-1 in the second half.
On Aug. 24, Monmouth beat visiting American University, 1-0, as sophomore Alexis McTamney of Bordentown scored in the 61st minute. D’Agostino needed to make only two stops in goal, as Monmouth had a 14-4 edge in shots.
Lavan, meanwhile, said she is ready to step in when needed.
“Last season was a learning experience as a freshman,” Lavan said, as Monmouth went 17-2-2 and finished unbeaten in the conference. “It meant working on technique and communication this summer.”
Lavan started for most of her four years at Jackson Memorial High School, including on two NJSIAA Central Jersey Group IV championship teams.
Turner said she got a good look at Lavan when an injury to one hopeful thinned the number of goalie candidates to three.
“She took advantage of the opportunity,” Turner said, apparently impressed with Lavan’s preseason. “She has great, big hands and works well in goal and with ball distribution. The more minutes she got, the more confident she became. I couldn’t ask for better leaders than Sydney and Kim [Clemmer].”
Clemmer, the senior center back who was an All-MAAC second team selection last season, was a teammate of Lavan’s for two seasons at Jackson Memorial, and she leads an experienced back line, which is reassuring for Lavan if she gets her opportunity.
“Playing with Kim again has been awesome because she is one of the best leaders I have ever played with,” Lavan said. “Since playing with her through high school, I know how she plays, and it is easier for me to read what she wants to do. And we play off of each other.”
Lavan said having the “great, big hands” that Turner speaks of has helped her make more reliable, sure-handed saves. She has played the ball out quickly to the defenders to get the ball up the field in a brisk counterattack.
“This season, I’ve worked on my distribution,” she said. “I’ve been able to see the field and get the ball upfield. It means communicating well, getting the ball out and letting the offense do the rest.”
She also added incentive that involves Clemmer and the seven other Monmouth players in their final year of eligibility.
“One of our team goals is to get back to the NCAA Tournament,” Lavan said. “Last year, we had really good chemistry. Everyone worked 100 percent each day, and that’s what we have to do this season. It means so much to the team. I want to do it for them.”
Lavan realizes that the Hawks — picked to win the conference again in preseason polls and a subsequent return to the NCAA Tournament — raises the awareness of other teams and raises the pressure on Monmouth.
“We should have a good year, but teams will be going for us. We have to work 100 percent harder,” Lavan said.
Monmouth favored to win MAAC
Monmouth University was picked to repeat as the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) champions in the preseason poll taken by the conference’s 11 coaches.
The Hawks were 17-2-2 last fall, including an unbeaten 8-0-2 mark in conference play. The 17 wins match the program record for victories in a season.
Monmouth defeated Fairfield University in the conference tournament finale, earning their first MAAC crown and third NCAA tournament bid.
Four Hawks were named to the PreSeason All-MAAC Team — sophomore forward Alexis McTanney (Bordentown Regional), junior midfield Brianne Boyle (Raritan), senior back Alexa Freguletti (Mahwah) and junior back Monique Goncalves (Watchung Hills).
Other local players on the team include sophomore Sydney Lavan (Jackson Memorial), goalie; junior Rachel Ivanicki of Marlboro (Colts Neck), forward; senior Kim Clemmer (Jackson Memorial), midfielder/defense; and sophomore Erica Murphy of Millstone (Pennington Prep), forward.
The Hawks are home on Aug. 29 at Hesse Field at the Great Lawn. Start time is 5 p.m.