Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School’s Allie Geiger, right, and Cat Cirigliano of Holmdel High School chase after the ball during a girls’ soccer game in Rumson Oct. 8. The Bulldogs won the Shore Conference A Central Division matchup, 3-0. STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER ERIC SUCAR Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School’s girls soccer team is stocked with experience, but talent is visible up and down the roster. In the final week of the regular season, depth has carried the Bulldogs to the brink of a division title.
The contributions of Rumson-Fair Haven’s veterans are unmistakable. A count of 10 seniors makes the Bulldogs one of the more veteran clubs in the Shore Conference, and they have made their presence known on and off the field.
“They’re just an extension of me,” head coach Mary Beth Coleman said, lauding the seniors’ leadership. “They’re very positive, they communicate well with their teammates, the younger girls look up to them, and they’re great role models.”
The Bulldogs also have newcomers who are making their mark on the 2015 season. Freshman Grace Karagjozi is among the leading Shore Conference scorers in her class with 10 goals, which put her in a tie for fifth place. Her six assists are tied for ninth best. Sofi Giglio and Margot Ridgeway have two of the best marks for assists among sophomores with eight and six, respectively.
This combination of experience and talented up-and-comers has pushed Rumson- Fair Haven to a record of 11-1-1. Inside Class A Central, the Bulldogs are 9-0-1 and look to clinch first place.
“We graduated our entire defensive end, so I wasn’t sure what to expect,” Coleman said. “The girls stepped up.”
Holmdel High School, the Bulldogs’ closest competitor in their division, has two divisional losses. Two of their final three games are against A Central opponents, including a matchup with Raritan High School Oct. 14. The Bulldogs were scheduled to face Matawan Regional High School to start the week.
Rumson-Fair Haven’s regular season will conclude on the road against Shore Regional High School Oct. 17.
Karagjozi and Ridgeway were the centerpieces of a big play to begin a contest Oct. 8 with Holmdel. Karagjozi was tripped in the penalty box, and Ridgeway was successful on the penalty kick to put Rumson- Fair Haven ahead, 1-0.
The Bulldogs also converted a corner kick when Giglio sent the ball near the net, where Karagjozi was ready for the header. Junior Grace Forsyth later scored for the 13th time this year on an assist from senior Jacqueline Littleson, putting the finishing touches on a 3-0 win. It marked the second victory over the Hornets on the season after a 5-4 win in double overtime Sept. 18.
“The team is very unselfish. They’re playing for each other,” Coleman said. “I feel like we have many weapons. If one person is having a bad day, others can step up.”
Coleman added that junior goalie Samantha Beaudreault, who recorded nine saves against Holmdel, has kept the Bulldogs close in big games.
“She has been outstanding,” Coleman said.