Speedy tandem stays aggressive for Cougar girls’ soccer team
By: Justin Feil
Kristina Adams and Cristina Araps first met at tryouts for the Montgomery Knockouts Under-11 soccer team. They were competitive, yet friendly, from the start.
"We ran sprints against each other," Adams said. "That’s how it started. We’re better working together though. We do better together."
Adams and Araps have been best friends ever since that fifth-grade tryout, and the Montgomery High School sophomores share much more than a first name.
The 15-year-olds are two of the top players for the Cougar girls’ soccer team having made it as freshmen a year ago, have eighth-grade brothers who also play soccer together, and even live near each other.
Neither Adams nor Araps seems to be able to stop flashing their braces-filled smiles, but don’t let the petite players’ off-field demeanor trick you. Their soccer styles are also similar – similarly intimidating coming from two very un-intimidating girls.
"My game is being aggressive with speed," said Araps, a 5-foot-3 brunette.
"That’s my goal," added Adams, whose blonde hair pushes her a half-inch over 5-foot. "Especially when I play tough teams. I want to be aggressive and use my speed."
"Both of them are little players, but they play with such intensity," said MHS head coach Jeremy Beardsley. "They play with such a tremendous competitive edge. You’re going to have to play your best to beat them in individual battles.
"Adams is a true forward, but she’s so versatile. They’re both so fast. Araps just runs everywhere. If you beat her in the midfield, you’ll have to beat her again because she’s right on you again. And she’s a real tough tackler. And they have absolute rockets for shots."
Araps blasted off Tuesday evening with a game-winner in overtime to give Montgomery a 2-1 win over North Warren. Adams assisted on the first Cougar goal scored by senior Kelly Quinlan. But the victory that improved MHS’ record to 8-2-1 was costly as freshman goalie Renee Totaro was lost apparently for the season with a broken leg just two minutes before halftime. Totaro was on the minds of all the players after being taken off the field by ambulance.
"I was real upset," Araps said. "We ended up going to overtime, and the goal was for Renee."
"When Renee got taken out," Adams added, "it took away some of our confidence. I don’t think it should have gone to overtime."
Adams showed her versatility when Totaro went down. Senior Lauren Thurlow had to move back into the goal, and Beardsley put Adams at a left back position to shore up the defense.
"Because of the situation Tuesday, I moved Adams back to marking back. Lauren Thurlow went to goal and I had to move someone back," the second-year head coach explained. "So Adams went back there. Not only is she a great finisher, she went back and played a terrific marking back. She’s a true forward. But when the sub comes on, she moves to left midfield sometimes. She gets the job done wherever she is."
"For now," Adams said, "I guess they moved me to defender. I play a little defense for my club team, but I’m not real comfortable there. I’m starting to get used to it though. I’ll do it for the team and for Renee."
Adams could be in the back when Montgomery hosts Hillsborough in Saturday’s 2 p.m. Somerset County Tournament quarterfinal. Beardsley has no plans, however, to move Araps. She looks to be the cornerstone of the Cougar midfield for years to come after playing outside halfback last season.
"It’s tough," Araps said. "I have to step it up this year because it’s a lot more important position. I have to read the game better, and I have to give passes on target more than ever. I’ve had to work with Kelly Quinlan and we’re getting better at it."
After five years of playing on the same teams and hanging out together, Adams and Araps have no problem working with each other.
"We really read the game better between us," Adams said. "I know where to go when she has the ball just from where she’s looking. She makes great passes to run on to. It’s helped to play together."
With the loss of eight players who started last season, Araps and Adams have had to take a more senior role because they are two of the more experienced Montgomery players. It’s helped the two feel more a part of the Cougars, who are surprising teams with their success this season in light of their team changes. The two have been major contributors toward MHS’ success.
"I felt left out a bit last year," said Adams, who leads the team with four goals and seven assists. "This year I feel more into the team. This year we contribute more."
"We both contribute a lot," added Araps, who has four goals to go with five assists. "But it’s definitely a whole-team effort. Even though you score, for instance, it’s the team that works for it. A lot of the time, even when you don’t get credit for a score, it’s the effort you put into it that gets the score."
Adams and Araps have put a lot of time into honing their soccer skills. Araps is devoted to soccer. She plays for the state Olympic Development team, and also plays club soccer for the Wycoff Torpedoes U-16 squad that will play in California this year. She would like to play in college when her career at MHS is over.
Adams plays for the Knights U-19 club team, but splits her time with basketball and softball as well. Last year, she lettered in all three sports for the Cougars.
"I love soccer and basketball the same," Adams said. "Softball is just another sport. The season is fun and I like playing with the girls on the team. But soccer and basketball are my favorites. My goal is to play basketball in college. It’s harder for me to make it in basketball because of my height. I could play soccer or both maybe."
Adams and Araps are the types to continue working to make their goals a reality. Neither considers their game complete. Over the next two years, the thing they agreed needs the most work is their first-touch skill, volleying and just general ball control. Beardsley knows the two will continue to improve and, with them, the Cougar team in the next two seasons.
"They’re both exciting players," Beardsley said. "Basically, as a whole, the team is a hard-working team. As a whole, those two just seem to go and go and go. They have a high work rate and a very high fitness level. They look as though they could run all day. They play about all year-round and they’re very solid on the field."
Good players on the field, great friends off it. It’s been that way since the fifth grade for Kristina Adams and Cristina Araps.