FLORENCE: Girls set to contend in Freedom Division

GIRLS SOCCER

By Josh Lashley, Special Writer
FLORENCE — Fans may have to wait a few months to find out which girls soccer team ultimately reigns supreme as champions in the Burlington County League Freedom Division, but they can count on games played between contenders being fiercely and closely contested.
It should be a competitive season in the Freedom Division and an exciting one for players, coaches and fans alike. Most every team enters a new season with a fresh sense of optimism and more than one squad will have designs on capturing the division title.
One team at the top of the contenders’ list is Florence High School. The Flashes may have some new faces in the varsity lineup this fall, but the expectations are still high.
"We are rebuilding this year with players taking on new positions to fill the holes left by the graduating class," Florence head coach Lisa Balog said. "Our new players in the program outnumber our returning players for the first time in my coaching career with the team. Even with that being said, I still see us as a contender in the division."
Balog welcomes back a group of seniors who possess strong leadership qualities and will be called upon to demonstrate those qualities this season for the younger student-athletes on the roster.
"My four seniors have also been named as captains this season," Balog said. "Brielle Emery, Rachel Klenk, Erica Bruno and Kaci Ullman are dedicated players who are committed to getting their team to play at their very best. They have been pushing their teammates, as well as themselves, to get the most they can out of every practice." Balog mentioned freshman goalkeeper Kasey Jusino as a player who can have an immediate impact on varsity. She sees Palmyra and Riverside as being the top teams to beat in the Freedom Division this fall. Other programs in the division looking to make some noise this season include Burlington City, Willingboro, Trenton Catholic and Medford Tech.
Today, Sept. 11, the Flashes, who finished with an overall record of 13-6 and advanced to the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group I Sectional semifinals, are scheduled to host Riverside in the season opener for both programs.