Sayreville field hockey finds early success in new system

SAYREVILLE WAR MEMORIAL

By WARREN RAPPLEYEA
Correspondent

To help take advantage of her team’s overall athleticism, Sayreville War Memorial High School field hockey coach Lynn Taylor installed a 3-2-3-2 system, which debuted successfully in a 3-0 opening-day win over Piscataway Township High School.

Forwards Erin Fitzsimmons and Gabby Ferro and Mary Kate Kersting, who holds down one of the link positions in the new setup, all scored for the blue and gray, as goalkeeper Sydney Capotosto kept a clean sheet.

“The girls are having a few ups and down learning the new system, but they’re coming along and getting more comfortable with it,” the coach said. “I expect we’ll get better and better at it as the season moves along.”

The coach is focused on improving upon last fall’s total of four victories and transforming the Bombers into a contender in the Greater Middlesex Conference (GMC).

In addition to the new system, Taylor has moved several players around. Fitzsimmons, formerly a fullback, is now up top. Kersting, who also played fullback, is now at link, where she is paired with Allison Attardi. Ferro also joined the starting lineup and picked up her first goal. Kristen Milligan is another scoring threat, and Amanda Marcinczyk, Megan Quinlan and Courtney Reick give Sayreville experience in the middle, which Taylor said is one of her team’s strengths, as all three are solid defensively and can also join the attack.

Jordan Raccuia and sophomore Kaylee Dill are the back line in front of Capotosto. Combined with the Bombers’ two-way midfielders, Taylor is confident in her team’s ability to defend.

“We have a smart, quick team, and we want to take advantage of those things,” Taylor said. “I think we’re going to surprise some people.”

The coach will also be looking to work several talented younger players into the lineup to gain experience that will come in handy later in the year. They include sophomore forward Juliana Lopez, link/midfielder Alexis Garcia and midfielder Angelique Flores, as well as freshman forwards Ashley Edwards and Samantha Harris and midfielder Megan Polomeni.

Taylor noted that the program has grown from 22 players a year ago to 30 this year.

“One of our goals was to create more interest in the program, and it’s good to see the numbers go up,” she said. “I’d like to see that continue. And if we do well on the field, it should.”

The Bombers were scheduled to host South Plainfield High School on Sept. 9 and travel to Metuchen High School on Sept. 11. East Brunswick High School visits on Sept. 15.