By Wayne Witkowski
Defender Melanie Scibilia, a cornerstone to Allentown High School’s drive to the field hockey NJSIAA Group III state championship game last fall, is off to a collegiate career at Penn State University as one of nine graduated players from last year’s Redbirds — seven of them starters.
Also graduated is Kayla Peterson, the only double-figure scorer last season with 20 goals who is playing these days at The College of New Jersey. Add midfielder Rachel Dow into the mix, and it appears a major rebuilding job is in store for Redbirds coach Dana Wells.
But Wells feels her team, which is off to a 1-1 start, will come of age by tournament time.
“There are girls who have experience, ready to take on the challenge,” Wells said. “They’re doing a phenomenal job of working together.
“The biggest thing is for them not to be worried that there is a target on their backs. If they work as a team, they’ll have a lot of experience at the end. We’re playing a strong schedule that will help us for that. Last year’s team was able to handle that pressure, and this team will have to do that.”
Allentown showed signs of that when it opened its season Sept. 9 with a 2-1 victory over West Windsor-Plainsboro High School North — a team the Redbirds tied in a 16-1-3 season last fall, which was highlighted by a 1-0 overtime victory over Robbinsville High School for the Mercer County Tournament title.
Moorestown High School beat Allentown in last year’s state championship game, 2-1.
Mary Bellotti, a junior forward back in the starting lineup from last season, scored both goals against West Windsor-Plainsboro North, with the game-winner coming on a reverse lift past the goalkeeper in the second half. Katie White, who started last season in goal for Allentown as a sophomore, made six saves.
Shore Regional High School, which ranked No. 13 in a state poll, scored a 2-0 victory over Allentown Sept. 10, putting in the insurance goal with 35 seconds left against White, who made 22 saves.
“Last year, she was tested in some games. But her experience in the state tournament will help her working to be one of the best goalkeepers in our league,” Wells said.
The Redbirds played Hamilton High School West Sept. 12 and are off until a Sept. 19 non-conference matchup against another state power in Shawnee High School.
Allentown, which won the Colonial Valley Conference Freedom Division championship last season, will compete in the Valley Division this fall, which includes West Windsor-Plainsboro North, Nottingham High School and Hamilton West. Wells said her team has higher aspirations beyond the division.
Senior Paige Zytkowicz moves from forward to midfield and is part of the core of the team at the outset along with stellar junior fullback Sierra Wojcik, as the rest of the lineup matures.
Junior Alex Pritchard, a veteran starter on the left side, and senior Brenna Roth on the right help anchor the defense. Senior Emily Normand also is a defender.
Wells says defense is the starting point, but she says finishing threats also is important, with junior Sydney Pado helping in the midfield and twin sisters Kristin and Caitlin Noon, who are seniors, bolstering the front with senior Colbie Kennedy.
“Every game we have to go out and put pressure on the defense and play smart passing the ball,” Wells said. “Then we can take on anybody.”
Wells also is looking for supporting efforts from juniors Daria Ziobro on defense and Isabella Grigorio at forward and sophomores Kennedy Munster and Mackenzie Hultberg at forward, Madison Regina in the midfield and Carleigh Delaney in the back.
Football
Allentown’s football team shored up its line play following a 31-19, season-opening loss at St. Joseph High School of Hammonton with a rebound victory, 49-13, Sept. 9 over West Windsor-Plainsboro North in a West Jersey Football League Patriot Division game in Allentown.
“We talked [last week] about handling adversity and getting up off the deck after getting punched in the mouth,” Allentown coach Jay Graber said. “Our defensive line as a whole stepped up on a hot night. We improved but still have a lot of things to work on.”
In a game that featured all of the scoring by halftime, Aydon Chavis and quarterback Jordan Winston each scored two touchdowns, and Rick Mottram broke a 78-yard scoring run on the first play. All three hit the 100-yard mark for rushing.
Chavis rushed for 144 yards on six carries, and Winston had 119 on 11 carries. Mottram picked up 101 yards on six carries.
It was a balance typical of many games last season and of Graber’s philosophy as basketball coach, where three players often scored in double-figures last winter.
“That’s all part of our game plan,” Graber said. “[Winston] played within the offense.”
Winston completed all three of his passes, including a 50-yard scoring strike to X’zavier Harris.
But Allentown faces another tough challenge in the trenches as it did in the opener when it plays at 7 p.m. Sept. 16 at perennial NJSIAA South Jersey, Group IV contender Shawnee.
Shawnee rallied in the final quarter to beat No. 17-ranked Cherokee High School, 16-13, Sept 9 in its opener.
“They’re just a great program, and we’re enthused to play them,” Graber said. “We have to play well on defense, and they’re tough up front.”
Allentown needs to beat Shawnee to stay in the thick of the Group III playoff picture.
Boy soccer
Raul Mendez stopped six Allentown shots and Trenton Central High School did all of its scoring in the first half of a 3-0 victory over the Redbirds in their season opener Sept. 9.
Allentown hosted Notre Dame High School Sept. 13 and travels to Hopewell Valley Central High School for a 7 p.m. start Sept. 15 and hosts Steinert High School Sept. 19.
Girls soccer
Emma Pascarella scored two goals and assisted another as Allentown rolled by Trenton, 5-0, Sept. 9 in its opener.
Lauren Coiante, Vanessa Rodriguez and Alex Searing also scored, as the Redbirds put 36 shots on goal. McKinley DeAngelo and Carly Rorche had assists.
Allentown is on the road all week, which started Sept. 13 against Note Dame. The stretch continues Sept. 15 against Hopewell Valley and Sept. 19 against Steinert.