Union County Girls Soccer Coaches Association Awards
1st Team - Gina Caprara
2nd Team - Allie Boyle
2nd Team - Alex Schlobohm
Honorable Mention - Tori Crisafi
Honorable Mention - Emma Culleton
Honorable Mention - Nicole Saitta
Game 1 - September 11, 2010
New Providence 6, LINDEN 0
The Star Ledger
Gina Caprara scored three goals and Paige Carleen added two to lead New Providence in Linden. Alex Schlobohm had three assists for New Providence 1-0. Linden is 0-1.
The Courier News
Senior Gina Caprera netted three goals and junior Paige Carleen added two goals, as New Providence cruised. Sophomore Kelly Carroll also scored for the Pioneers (1-0), while sophomore Alex Schlobohm tallied three assists. Junior keeper Jill Ashinsky posted her first varsity shutout with two saves
1st 2nd Final
New Providence 3 3 6
Linden 0 0 0
Player's Stats Goals Assists
Gina Caprara 3
Paige Carleen 2
Kelly Carroll 1
Ally Hartenstein 1
Alex Schlobohm 3
Goalkeeper's Stats Saves
Jill Ashinsky 2
Ally Hartenstein 0
Schedule
Season Preview - Group 1
The Star Ledger
Favorite: A combination of finesse and assertiveness in the middle of the field should drive Glen Ridge a long way. Sisters Sarah and Claire Malone are difficult to muscle off the ball and complement the nimble playmaking of Mary Alati, a creative center mid who is always looking for the best scoring opportunity. Megan Bagley and Meghan McDonald will stabilize the defensive third, but each isn’t bashful about pushing forward. Their daring style is encouraged in part to the confidence they have in keeper Margaret Provost.
Contenders: Haddon Twp., Metuchen, New Providence, Cresskill.
Dark Horses: Clayton, Schalick, Whippany Park
The Courier News
AREA GIRLS SOCCER PREVIEW 2010
September 09, 2010 By Simeon Pincus
New Providence thoroughly dominated its opponents last season, scoring an area-best 100 goals on its way to its second straight sectional championship. This year, with the graduation of Rachel Schlobohm and Kim Closs, who, between them, accounted for 54 of those goals, the Pioneers are going to have to go about things differently if they’re to make another run. The move up to the Mountain Division from the Valley will also pose a challenge for Scott Murphy’s team.
Outlook: The two-time defending NJSIAA North 2 Group I champions lost seven starters to graduation, including a four-year starter in keeper Connie Haggerty, sweeper Nan Tucker and forwards Kim Closs and Rachel Schlobohm, who combined to score 54 of the Pioneers' 100 goals last season. Still, Murphy said, it wouldn't shock him if his squad was vying for another sectional crown come November. Murphy concedes he doesn't expect the offense to be as potent, but he said last year's sophomores were somewhat overshadowed by the seniors and the now-juniors are ready to step up and fill the holes. Caprera, who has been a key player at outside-mid the past two seasons, will team at forward with Alex Schlobohm, who tallied 6 goals and 8 assists off the bench last season. Carroll and Culleton also will be keys, offensively, from the midfield. Boyle and Saitta will be the center backs, as the Pioneers play a flat-four instead of diamond in an effort to get more organization in front of a first-year starting keeper. Murphy feels the personnel is there; the question is how they perform on the varsity level.
Game 2 - September 14, 2010
New Prividence 3, Oak Knoll 2
The Star Ledger
Gina Caprara broke a 1-1 tie in the 38th minute with her second goal and Alex Schlobohm scored the eventual deciding goal with a left-footed, 12-yard shot in the 46th for New Providence (2-0) in Chatham. Schlobohm assisted on both of Caprara's goals, and Jill Ashinsky made five saves.
For Oak Knoll (1-1), Mary Coughlin was assisted twice by Laura Zito, with the second goal coming with 10 minutes remaining in the match.
The Courier News
Senior Gina Caprara scored two first-half goals as 10th-ranked New Providence improved to 2-0. Sophomore midfielder Alex Schlobohm assisted both of Caprara's goals before scoring a goal. Junior keeper Jill Ashinsky made six stops for the Pioneers.
1st 2nd Total
New Providence 2 1 3
Oak Knoll 1 1 2
Player's Stats Goals Assists
Gina Caprara 2
Alex Schlobohm 1 2
Goalkeeper's Stats Saves
Jill Ashinsky 5
Ally Hartenstein 0
Ally Hartenstein(15) of New Providence kicks the ball away from Ginny Whtiman (17) of Oak Knoll
Jill Ashinsky has a shot get by for a goal in the first half of New Providence vs Oak Knoll girls soccer game.
Alex Schlobohm (13) of New Providence battles Anna Votton (3) of Oak Knoll during girls soccer game.
Kelly Carroll (17) of New Providence has her shot blocked by Oak Knoll goal keep Cate Chambers
Mary Coughlin (10) of Oak Knoll battles Ashley Evangelos (3) of New Providence for position during girls soccer game.
Emma Culleton (7) of New Providence congratulates teammate Alex Schlobohm(13) after she scored a goal during girls soccer game.
Game 3 - September 20, 2010
New Providence 2, Union 3
The Star Ledger
Nicole Rodiques converted a Melinda Kieri cross in the minute to tie the match at 2-2 and Nicole Bashford supplied the game winner for Union (1-3) with a 25-yarder into the upper-right corner with six minutes remaining in regulation in Union. Alex Schlobohm scored and assisted Olivia Arent to account for the New Providence (2-1) offense in the first half. Brittany Boland scored in the first half for Union.
The Courier News
Sophomore Alex Schlobohm and junior Olivia Arent each scored first-half goals for New Providence, but Union scored twice in the second half to send the Pioneers to their first defeat. Schlobohm and senior Gina Caprera picked up assists for New Providence (2-1).
1st 2nd Final
New Providence 2 0 2
Union 1 2 3
Player's Stats Goals Assists
Olivia Arent 1
Gina Caprara 1
Alex Schlobohm 1 1
Goalkeeper's Stats Saves
Jill Ashinsky 7
The Star Ledger - Girls Soccer Rankings
September 22, 2010
Group 1 - #5 (2-1)
Union County #8 (2-1)
Game 4 - September 22, 2010
New Providence 2, Cranford 0
The Star Ledger
Gina Caprara and Jenna Madden both clicked for goals and coach Scott Murphy collected his 100th career victory whenNew Providence defeated Cranford, 2-0, yesterday in Cranford. Jill Ashinsky registered five saves for the shutout for New Providence (3-1). Emily Baumann made four saves in goal for Cranford (0-5).
The Courier News
Gina Caprara and Jenna Madden registered unassisted goals to provide the scoring punch for New Providence (3-1). Jill Ashinsky stopped five shots to earn the shutout.
1st 2nd Final
New Providence 1 1 2
Cranford 0 0 0
Player's Stats Goals Assists
Gina Caprara 1
Jenna Madden 1
Goalkeeper's Stats Saves
Jill Ashinsky 5
Game 5 - September 24, 2010
New Providence 2, Rahway 1
The Star Ledger
Gina Caprara scored once and added an assist to spark New Providence in New Providence. Alex Schlobohm chipped in with a goal and Jill Ashinsky stopped three shots for New Providence (4-1). Guan-Ju Tao finished with a goal and Katrina Plowman made eight saves for Rahway (2-2).
The Courier News
Alex Schlobohm and Gina Caprara each scored for New Providence (4-1). Mariangeli Lopez scored for the Indians (2-2).
Pioneers keeper Jill Ashinsky had three saves. Rahway's Katrina Plowman stopped eight shots.
1st 2nd Final
New Providence 1 1 2
Rahway 0 1 0
Player's Stats Goals Assists
Gina Caprara 1 1
Alex Schlobohm 1
Goalkeeper's Stats Saves
Jill Ashinsky 3
Game 6 - September 29, 2010
New Providence 1, Brearley 0
The Star Ledger
Emma Culleton notched her first goal of the season by redirecting a header following a corner kick from Gina Capara in the 21st minute, and New Providence made that score hold up for a 1-0 victory over previously undefeated Brearley yesterday in Kenilworth. Jill Ashinsky turned away five shots and recorded her third shutout for New Providence (5-1). Krissy Pinho allowed a goal for only the third time this season and finished with nine saves for Brearley (6-1).
The Courier News
CN Girls Soccer Roundup:
Emma Culleton powers New Providence over Brearley
Junior midfielder Emma Culleton scored the game's lone goal 20 minutes into the first half to give the New Providence High School girls soccer team a 1-0 win over Brearley.The deciding goal came on a header off a corner kick from senior midfielder Gina Caprara. Jill Aschinsky made five saves for the Pioneers, who improved to 5-1
1st 2nd Final
New Providence 1 0 1
Rahway 0 0 0
Player's Stats Goals Assists
Gina Caprara 1
Emma Culleton 1
Goalkeeper's Stats Saves
Jill Ashinsky 5
Game 7 - October 1, 2010
New Providence 8, Plainfield 0
The Star Ledger
Courtney Martin scored twice to help lift New Providence (6-1) in New Providence. Alex Schlobohm finished with a goal and two assists, Ally Hartenstein delivered a goal and set up one while Megan Melkewits, Emma Culleton, Kelly Carroll and Gina Caprara each scored in the victory. Plainfield is 0-7.
1st 2nd Final
New Providence 5 3 8
Plainfield 0 0 0
Player's Stats Goal Assists
Gina Caprara 1
Kelly Carroll 1
Brooke Carleen 1
Paige Carleen 1
Tori Crisafi 1
Emma Culleton 1
Ally Hartenstein 1 1
Hannah Lavine 1
Courtney Martin 2
Alex Schlobohm 1 2
Megan Melkewits 1
Goalkeeper 's Stats Saves
Jill Ashinsky 0
Game 8 - October 4, 2010
New Providence 3, Union Catholic 0
The Star Ledger
Emma Culleton and Alex Schlobohm scored in the second half to help New Providence (7-1) extend its 1-0 lead in Scotch Plains. Gina Caprara had one goal and one assist while Jill Ashinsky notched her third straight shutout in goal and her fifth this season. Samantha Pauls stopped seven shots for Union Catholic (5-3-1).
The Courier News
Senior Gina Caprera and sophomore Alex Schlobohm each tallied a goal and an assist as ninth-ranked New Providence won its fifth straight game. Junior Emma Cullerton added a goal for the Pioneers (7-1), who got one save from junior keeper Kim Ashinsky. Senior Samantha Pauls stopped seven shots for Union Catholic (5-3-1).
1st 2nd Final
New Providence 1 2 3
Union Catholic 0 0 0
Player's Stats Goal Assists
Jill Ashinsky 1
Gina Caprara 1 1
Emma Culleton 1
Alex Schlobohm 1
Goalkeeper's Stats Saves
Jill Ashinsky 1
Game 9 - October 6, 2010
New Providence 3, Linden 0
The Star Ledger
Gina Caprara, Kelly Carroll and Alex Schlobohm all scored in the first 20 minutes of play for New Providence (8-1) in Linden. Caprara, Carroll and Stephanni Perini each had an assist and Jill Ashinsky notched her sixth shutout with five saves. Linden is 2-6-1.
The Courier News
Sophomore forward Kelly Carroll, and senior midfielder Gina Caprara each had a goal and an assist for New Providence. Sophomore midfielder Alex Schlobohm added a goal, and junior keeper Jill Aschinsky made four saves for her sixth shutout of the season for the Pioneers (8-1). Keeper Jackie Lima made seven saves for Linden (2-6-1).
1st 2nd Final
New Providence 3 0 3
Linden 0 0 0
Player's Stats Goal Assists
Gina Caprara 1 1
Kelly Carroll 1 1
Stephanni Perini 1
Alex Schlobohm 1
Goalkeeper's Stats Saves
Jill Ashinsky 5
Game 10 - October 8, 2010
New Providence 3, Oak Knoll 0
The Star Ledger
Kelly Carroll opened the scoring for New Providence (9-1) when she headed in a cross from Gina Caprara in the 22nd minute in New Providence. Two minutes later, Emma Culleton extended the lead by converting a service by Anna Crisafi for the first of her two goals. Jill Ashinsky came up with three saves in the shutout. Cate Chambers stopped six shots for Oak Knoll (5-3).
The Courier News
Junior Emma Culleton scored two goals, and sophomore Kelly Carroll added another to boost eighth-ranked New Providence (9-1). Junior keeper Jill Ashinsky made three saves to earn her seventh shutout.
1st 2nd Final
New Providence 3 0 3
Oak Knoll 0 0 0
Player's Stats Goal Assists
Emma Culleton 2
Gina Caprara 1
Alex Schlobohm 1
Kelly Carroll 1
Anna Crisafi 1
Goalkeeper s Stats Saves
Jill Ashinsky 3
Game 11 - October 12, 2010
New Providence 8, Plainfield 0
The Star Ledger
Brooke Carleen paced the New Providence (10-1) offense with a goal and two assists in Plainfield. Olivia Arent, Gina Caprara, Paige Carleen, Emma Culleton, Hannah Lavine, Megan Melkewits and Stephanni Perini all fueled the attack for New Providence with one goal each. Plainfield is 0-10.
The Courier News
Junior midfielder Brooke Carleen tallied a goal and two assists to lead No. 8 New Providence (10-1). Junior midfielder Emma Culleton got the Pioneers going with the game's first goal. Plainfield fell to 0-12.
1st 2nd Final
New Providence 3 0 3
Plainfield 0 0 0
Player's Stats Goal Assists Goal Assists
Hannah Lavine 1 Megan Melkewits 1
Stephanni Perini 1 Gina Caprara 1
Brooke Carleen 1 2 Casey Trezza 1
Kelly Carroll 1 Olivia Arent 1
Alex Schlobohm 1 Ally Hartenstein 1
Emma Culleton 1 Paige Carleen 1
Lucy Lavine 1
Goalkeeper 's Stats Saves
Brooke Carleen 0
The Star Ledger - October 13, 2010
Player To Watch
New Providence coach Scott Murphy has been blessed with a solid keeper since he took over in 2003. It started with All-Stater Lauryn Dempsey, continued with last year's standout, Connie Haggerty, and now Junior Jill Ashinsky has filled the role very well in her first year as a starter. Through this past weekend's games with Ashinsky anchoring the defense, New Providence is tied with Dayton for the second most shutouts in Union County with seven (Union Catholic has eight). Ashinsky carries a 0.60 goals against average into matches at Plainfield yesterday and at Kent Place on Friday.
The Courier News - October 12, 2010
In the Spotlight: Gina Caprara
By SIMEON PINCUS • STAFF WRITER
New Providence High School senior midfielder/forward Gina Caprara entered Tuesday's meeting with Rahway leading the Pioneers with 10 goals and six assists, as the two-time defending North 2 Group I champs are off to an 8-1 start. Caprara, who is a rare left-footed, left-side player, coach Scott Murphy said, brings an attacking presence on that side of the field, which many teams don't really have. She has a tremendous shot, one that many times the opposing keeper can't stop from point-blank range, he said. But perhaps Caprara's most valuable asset is the fact she's New Providence's lone four-year varsity player and one of only three who has played varsity for three seasons. "She brings the experience of playing in big games the last three years," Murphy said. "Her expeirence is a big thing, especially going forward in the county tournament and the state tournament."
Game 12 - October 15, 2010
New Providence 3, Kent Place 1
The Star Ledger
Alex Schlobohm knocked in two goals for New Providence (11-1), which built a 3-1 lead before halftime in Summit. Allie Boyle chipped in with a score and Gina Caprara, Emma Culleton and Stephanie Perini each had an assist. Christina Doherty scored for Kent Place (7-6-1).
The Courier News
Sophomore forward Alex Schlobohm netted two goals, and senior defender Allie Boyle posted her first goal of the season as New Providence improved to 11-1.
Junior Emma Cullerton, senior Gina Caprara and junior Stephanni Perini dished out assists for the Pioneers.
1st 2nd Final
New Providence 3 0 3
Plainfield 1 0 1
Player's Stats Goal Assists Goal Assists
Allie Boyle 1 Stephanni Perini 1
Gina Caprara 1 Alex Schlobohm 2
Emma Culleton 1
Goalkeeper's Stats Saves
Jill Ashinsky 4
The Star Ledger - October 18, 2010
NJ Girls Soccer
Scotch Plains Awarded Top Seed for UCT
BY RICH BEVENSEE,
Scotch Plains-Fanwood, which has surrendered just four goals in 11 matches this season, was awarded the top seed for the 30th Union County Tournament, which begins Wednesday with four preliminary games. Scotch Plains (8-1-2), the 2009 runner-up and the tournament champion from 2005 through ’08, is joined by 14-time champion Westfield (7-4-1), 2008 runner-up Johnson (7-3-1) and New Providence (11-1) as the top four seeds, respectively. Following the preliminary games, four first-round matches are slated for Saturday at the site of the teams seeded 9-12. Those winners will then play in second-round matches against the 5-8 seeds on Oct. 26. The top four seeds received byes into the quarterfinals on Oct. 28. Johnson High in Clark will play host to the semifinals on Oct. 30, and the championship match is scheduled for Nov. 7 at 3 p.m. at Kean University in Union.
The Courier News - October 19, 2010
Group I New Providence has established itself in
Union County
By SIMEON PINCUS • STAFF WRITER
Like many Group I schools playing in a tournament with bigger squads, the New Providence High School girls soccer team probably has never received the respect in the Union County Tournament befitting a team that has won two straight sectional titles.
After being seeded third last season and fourth this year despite a host of star players graduating, the Pioneers' stock certainly has risen, at least among the county's coaches.
"I feel we are getting respect, at least in terms of from the county," New Providence coach Scott Murphy said. "It's coaches who decide on that, so at least from the perspective of the, quote, big coaches, or bigger schools, they are finally seeing that we can play with them."
After moving up from the Valley Division to the Mountain in the Union County Conference this year, the Pioneers' schedule not only has become tougher by default but also by design.
Instead of playing the smaller schools all season, New Providence has games
against bigger schools, such as Linden and Rahway, and more successful programs, such as Union Catholic. The Pioneers also have scheduled — and often won — nondivision games against some of the county's best, such as Union, Cranford and Scotch Plains-Fanwood.
The upgrade in scheduling not only breeds respect, Murphy said, but it better prepares the Pioneers for the finality of tournaments.
"In years past, our schedule would be up and down," Murphy said. "We could never get that competitiveness for an extended period of time. Because we've had more competitive games, I think we've grown in the mental aspect of the game. When it comes down to the final minutes of a close (tournament) game, they (the opponent) have been there before. I think now we've gotten to the point where we've been there, too, so we can take that extra step this year.
"It's going to come down to a mental thing, not a skill thing, because I think at this level we're all close, skill-wise."
One thing is certain, the Pioneers certainly do not fear anyone. Playing with many of the girls on other squads during club competition, New Providence certainly feels it has as good of a chance as anyone to claim the county title.
Game 13 - October 25, 2010
New Providence 1, SPF 2
The Star Ledger
Avika Shah netted her second goal of the game on a free kick in the first overtime to send Scotch Plains, No. 19 in The Star-Ledger Top 20, to a 2-1 victory over New Providence yesterday in New Providence. Shah scored in the first half to stake for Scotch Plains (10-1-3) to a 1-0 edge at the break. Gina Caprara converted a feed by Emma Culleton to tie it in the second half for New Providence (11-2).
The Courier News
Senior Avika Shah buried a free kick from 25 yards out midway through the first overtime Monday to lift the Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School girls soccer team to a 2-1 victory over New Providence. Shah got the Raiders (10-1-3) on the board during the 25th minute off of an assist from senior Sarah Van Buskirk, but the Pioneers (11-2) found their answer midway through the second half on senior Gina Caprara's strike off of a pass from junior Emma Culleton. Senior keeper Paige Dellabadia made five saves for Scotch Plains-Fanwood, which is ranked second in the Courier News Top 10, while seventh-ranked New Providence received seven stops from junior Jill Ashinsky.
1st 2nd OT Final
New Providence 0 1 0 1
SPF 1 0 1 2
Player's Stats Goal Assists Goal Assists
Gina Caprara 1 Emma Culleton 1
Goalkeeper's Stats Saves
Jill Ashinsky 8
Game 14 - October 28, 2010
UCT Quarter Final Game
New Providence 3, Summit 2
The Star Ledger
Allie Boyle and Emma Culleton scored goals within a minute of each other late in the second half to boost fourth-seeded New Providence (12-2) in a Union County Tournament quarterfinal match yesterday in New Providence. With New Providence trailing, 2-0, entering the second half, Gina Caprara got her team on the board in the 48th minute. Boyle knocked in a corner kick from Culleton in the 71st minute to tie the game at 2-2. New Providence, which meets top-seeded Scotch Plains-Fanwood in the semifinals Saturday in Clark, immediately regained possession and Culleton converted in the 72nd minute for the game winner. Stuart Humphrey and Kelly Osmulski each had a goal and an assist for fifth-seeded Summit (7-5-2).
The Courier News
Junior Emma Culleton scored off of a cross from senior Gina Caprara during the 72nd minute as fourth-seeded New Providence rallied from a 2-0 deficit to advance past the No. 5 seed in the quarterfinals. Caprara scored the Pioneers' first goal during the 49th minute before Allie Boyle tied it during the 71st minute. Junior keeper Jill Ashinsky stopped four shots for New Providence, which will face top-seeded Scotch Plains-Fanwood at 3 p.m. Saturday in the semifinals at A.L. Johnson High School in Clark.
1st 2nd Final
New Providence 0 3 3
Summit 2 0 2
Player's Stats Goal Assists Goal Assists
Gina Caprara 1 1Emma Culleton 1
Allie Boyle 1Alex Schlobohm 1
Goalkeeper Stats
Player Saves
Jill Ashinsky 2
The Star Ledger - October 29, 2010
NJ girls soccer
UCT prepares stage for Final Four
by Rich Bevensee
Maybe it's me, but New Providence always seems to have a flair for the dramatic. Does that sound like a generalization? Sure, but at this time of year, it feels like I'm always talking to NP coach Scott Murphy about some crazy comeback.
Yesterday's Union County Tournament quarterfinal match against Summit was no different, as Allie Boyle and Emma Culleton both managed to score within a minute of each other late in the second half and New Providence snuck out of the quarters with a 3-2 victory.
``I think Summit was more stunned than anything else after Allie scored to tie the game (in the 71st minute),'' Murphy said. ``They were playing very well and probably had the better of play in the first half, so they may have been thinking that a 2-0 halftime lead was looking pretty good.
``But we made some adjustments at halftime. I truly believed that with the adjustments, and if we played like I knew we were capable of playing, I thought a comeback was possible.''
Culleton, who took the corner kick which resulted in Boyle's goal, scored one minute after Boyle to give New Providence the lead.
New Providence is back in the semifinals to face... who else? Top-seeded Scotch Plains, which defeated New Providence in an extremely tight 1-0 semifinal affair last season.
Scotch Plains also defeated New Providence, 2-1, in overtime on Oct. 25. Did New Providence learn a few things from that match? Yes, Murph said, but he isn't talking. We'll have to wait till tomorrow to see what adjustments were made.
Scotch Plains advanced to its sixth straight semifinal appearance after a surprisingly tough 2-1 triumph over Gov. Livingston (6-8-1). But give GL credit. Coach Mike Roof had his kids ready for a major test after losing to Scotch Plains, 3-0, two weeks ago.
Not until Julie Glover fed Avika Shah, one of the county's best pure scorers, in the 71st minute was Scotch Plains able to put the game away.
Second-seeded Westfield had an easier time with Oak Knoll, 3-0. Westfield is just a step behind Scotch Plains in terms of Final Four streaks, making its fifth straight appearance in the semis.
The funny thing about Westfield -- and I may have underrated them early in the season -- is that despite getting off to a very un-Westfield-like 1-2-1 start, the team was still playing great defense, and has continued to do so into late October. Westfield, which has yielded just seven goals all season, has won six of its last seven, with the lone blemish in that span a 2-1 loss to Scotch Plains.
Our last semifinal participant, Johnson, confuses me the most.
Johnson got off to such a fast start, winning six of its first seven and fighting Scotch Plains to a scoreless draw. But since that time Johnson fell into a tailspin, losing five of its next seven -- getting shut out four times in that stretch -- before yesterday's 3-1 quarterfinal victory over Union.
Coach Javier Velasco told me last night that the main problem has been injuries, the most visible being to senior scorer Rachel Syko (concussion).
``We just don't have enough bodies right now,'' Velasco said. ``And we're going up against teams like Scotch Plains and Westfield who carry something like 20 girls on their rosters. It's an uphill battle when you don't have bodies for teams like that.''
So Johnson has earned its second semifinal berth in three years. Two years ago, coach Lissette Brandao's team bowed to Scotch Plains in the final. Johnson beat Westfield in the semis that year. This season, the only meeting between these two clubs, Westfield scratched out a 1-0 decision.
Here's the semifinal matchups for tomorrow at Johnson High in Clark:
1-Scotch Plains (11-1-3) v. 4-New Providence (12-2), 3 p.m.
2-Westfield (10-4-1) v. 3-Johnson (9-5-1), 5 p.m.
See you tomorrow at Johnson. That's all for now. Enjoy Taio Cruz.
The Star Ledger - October 30, 2010
NJ girls soccer
UCT semifinals -- LIVE report from Johnson HS, Clark
by Rich Bevensee
Hello everybody and welcome to this edition of Star-Ledger girls soccer.
We're at Johnson High in Clark for the 30th edition of the Union County Tournament.
My mates in the pressbox here at ALJ are Rahway coach Mario Kawczynski and Scotch Plains video technician Kevin Schmidt. Mario predicts a 2-0 score in favor of SPF, and I'm going with 2-1 SPF.
In the second game, Coach K likes Westfield, 2-0, and I think it's going to be a bit bigger, say 4-0.
The scoring has begun!
Just 3:45 into this first semi, Avika Shah, a senior, poked home the goal from inside the box for a 1-0 Scotch Plains lead. More highlights from this game as they happen.
New Prov just got its first break of the game. Freshman Katherine Cunningham just hammered a shot off the upper right post.
Scotch Plains has just taken a 2-0 lead. In the 32nd minute, Sarah Vanbuskirk played a ball through the midfield to Jessie Klein streaking down the left flank, and Klein made a beautiful feed back to the middle for Julie Glover who too advantage of a hole in the right side of the goal.
Christie Monroy just prevented a New Providence goal. at the 38-minute mark. Gina Caprara got loose in the middle and Monroy raced over from the right sideline to get a foot on the ball before Caprara could unload.
Second half underway. New Providence keeper Jill Ashinsky just took one in the gut for the team. Erin Pierce had a bead on a breakaway and was inside the box when she reared back to kick. Ashinsky fell on the ball just as Pierce made contact. Ashinsky goes on the All-Iron Stomach team at the end of the season.
Ashinsky is really starting to step forward in light of Scotch Plains' absolute dominance in the offensive third. She just made a nice diving save on Jackie Mains in the 55th. Seconds later Mains rattled the left post.
There are five minutes remaining in the match, and the second half has belonged to Scotch Plains in every way. New Providence has not crossed midfield more than twice in this half.
Final score: Scotch Plains 2, New Providence 0.
Game 15 - October 30, 2010
UCT Semis Final Game
New Providence 0, SPF 2
By Rich Bevensee
The Star Ledger
It was an utterly thorough domination.
Enough of a domination to prompt New Providence coach Scott Murphy to predict that any team would have a difficult time in beating Scotch Plains-Fanwood, ranked No. 18 in The Star-Ledger Top 20.
Yesterday at Johnson in Clark, top-seeded Scotch Plains put that dominance on display in a 2-0 defeat of fourth-seeded New Providence in the semifinals of the 30th Union County Tournament.
Scotch Plains (12-1-3) will meet second-seeded Westfield (11-4-1) in the championship match that will be played on Saturday at 3 p.m. in Clark.
Westfield advanced when it knocked out third-seeded Johnson, 3-0, in the other semifinal played yesterday in Clark.
Westfield and Scotch Plains last met in the final in 2007, with Scotch Plains coming out the winner. Scotch Plains has beaten Westfield twice this season by a 2-1 score.
In the first semifinal playe dyesterday, senior co-captain Avika Shah scored in the fourth minute and Julie Glover tucked in a pass from Jessie Klein in the 32nd for all the offense Scotch Plains would need.
It was quite a difference from when these teams met on Oct. 25, a 2-1 overtime victory for Scotch Plains.
``Last game we played against them, we came out really flat, and we didn’t have (senior midfielder and co-captain) Emily Nagourney, who was injured,’’ Shah said. "The whole game we were switching positions trying to fill Emily’s gap. We played really hard but it wasn’t consistent. It definitely made a difference having Emily back today.’’
Consistent pressure was what Scotch Plains applied yesterday. New Providence was outshot, 13-2, and pushed the ball over midfield just twice in the second half.
The result was a sixth straight trip to the UCT final for Scotch Plains, which won four straight titles before bowing to Cranford last season.
``We’ve been in the county final every year since our freshman year and we wanted to keep that going,’’ Shah said.
Paige DellaBadia made two saves for her ninth shutout of the season. For New Providence (12-3), keeper Jill Ashinsky was faced with many difficult saves late in the game and finished with 10.
In the second semifinal, Westfield received a goal from Sam Costello in the 14th minute, from Catherine Kerr in the 27th and from Hannah Kronick in the 46th to win its fifth straight.
Westfield, which received four saves from Gaby Gold for the team’s 10th shutout, is bidding to win a UCT-record 19th title. Johnson goalie Jamie Cheeka made two saves.
1st 2nd Final
New Providence 0 0 0
SPF 2 0 2
Goalkeeper Stats Saves
Jill Ashinsky 10
Game 16 - November 3, 2010
New Providence 4, Elizabeth 0
The Star Ledger
Gina Caprara paced New Providence (14-3) with two goals while Olivia Arent and Emma Culleton both had one in a regular-season game in Elizabeth. Caprara, Megan Melkewitz and Allie Boyle each had an assist and Jill Ashinsky and Stephanni Perini combined in goal for the team's ninth shutout. Elizabeth is 6-12.
The Courier News
Gina Caprara leads New Providence
Gina Caprara scored twice and assisted on a third goal to lead New Providence, which led 3-0 at the half. Emma Culleton and Olivia Arent each scored once. Jill Ashinsky made five saves for New Providence 14-3.
New Providence Girls Soccer Utilize Regular Season Game to Gear Up for Next Week's State Playoffs
Playing a regular season game in the middle of the state sectional playoffs is usually a hindrance. But the New Providence girls soccer team had some added incentive Wednesday afternoon at Lieder Field. The Pioneers, coming off Tuesday's North Jersey, Section 2 Group I first-round playoff win Roselle Park Tuesday, blanked Elizabeth 4-0 on senior day.
The Pioneers will play host to the winner of Friday's tournament game between Secaucus and Whippany Park next Tuesday afternoon in New Providence. "Today was our senior day and it was special for the kids and easy for them to transition into game mode,'' said Pioneers' head coach Scott Murphy.
Before the game, parents came down to the field and the players rewarded their mom's with a bouquet. Seniors Gina Caprara, Ali Boyle, Megan Melkewits, Courtney Martin and Corey Siberbine were honored. The Pioneers then went out and took control of the game, scoring three goals in the first 15 minutes.
Junior Emma Culleton scored seven minutes into the game followed seven minutes later by a Caprara goal. Caprara scored her second goal about a minute later as the Pioneers carried a 3-0 lead into the intermission. Junior Olivia Arent scored the fourth goal. Boyle and Melkewits had assists and junior keeper Jill Ashinsky made five saves. New Providence registered 18 shots.
"We really didn't want a week go by without playing a game, so we used the game as a tuneup,'' said Murphy. ""I thought we played well.''
Now the Pioneers prepare for either Whippany Park or Secaucus. New Providence has won the last two sectional titles, getting eliminated in the state semifinals.
"We're hoping to take it a little farther this year,'' Murphy said.
Number 14 Stephanni Perini, a junior, fights to push the ball down the field during Wednesday's match-up against Elizabeth.
The Pioneers fight for possession
of the ball against Elizabeth.
December 10, 2010
Courier News
First Team All-Area Capsule
By SIMEON PINCUS • STAFF WRITER
GINA CAPRARA - New Providence - Midfielder - Senior
After serving as a role player for the Pioneers as they won sectional titles the previous two seasons, Caprara took the lead on and off the field for New Providence, posting 19 goals and 11 assists as the Pioneers won the state Group I crown.
A Video Review of the 2010 Season
New Providence Patch - December 7, 2010
High School Athletic Teams Honored at
Awards Ceremony
By Merry Richter
With Girls Tennis, Volleyball, Girls Cross-Country, Girls Soccer, and Football winning their conferences, and both Girls Soccer and Football winning their State sectionals, the New Providence Pioneers have a lot to be proud of.
Before the coaches of each fall sports team got up to talk about their seasons, the new Athletic Director, Rob Harmer congratulated all of the sports teams that won their conferences and commended the Girls Soccer team and the Boys Football Team on a job well done with the State sectional Titles.
"We are fortunate enough to have these coaches," Harmer said to the audience of parents and athletes.
Girls Soccer
Head Coach Scott Murphy spoke about how many people thought the team wouldn't do better than a .500 record at the beginning of this season and how many referred to it as "a build-up season."
The team lost ten seniors last season, seven of which were starters, but the team didn't let this bring them down; the Girls Soccer team ended with a final record of 18-3, winning the Group I Championship.
Murphy said at the end of each season, he and assistant coach Melissa Halpern let the players vote on who they think should receive MVP and MIP. This season, he reported that seven girls were nominated for MIP, but ultimately sophomore Jenna Madden received MIP. One play that made her stand out from the other six girls was her goal from forty feet. Senior Gina Caprara scored eleven goals and had eleven assists, which helped her receive MVP this season. In addition, Allie Boyle received the Coach's Award
Girls Soccer: Some of the juniors (Nicole Saitta, Jill Ashinsky, Stephanni Perini, Tori Crisafi) on the Varsity Girls Soccer team stand up to talk a little about each of the team's seniors. Credit Merry Richter
The Star Ledger - Girls Soccer Rankings
December 17, 2010
Group 1 - #1 (18-3)
Union County #3 (18-3)
NJ Girls Soccer: Union County Season Review, 2010
December 17, 2010
By Rich Bevensee/For The Star-Ledger
Player of the year: Laura Zito - Oak Knoll
Team of the year: Scotch Plains-Fanwood,
Coach of the year: Despite the fact that he lost seven starters from last year’s team, which reached the Group 1 state semifinals, Scott Murphy, in his eighth year at the helm, guided New Providence to its first outright Group 1 state title and the program’s third overall. New Providence shared Group 1 honors in 2000 and in ’03. New Providence defeated Pennsville, 1-0, in the Group 1 championship game this fall. New Providence finished 18-3, allowed only 15 goals and chalked up 13 shutouts.
Scoring title: Roselle Catholic senior forward Melissa Tobie - 36 goals (as well as seven assists) and is the first girl from Roselle Catholic to lead the county in goals scored. Roselle Park senior midfielder Lauren Corigliano was next on the goals scored list with 30. Laura Zito (28) of Oak Knoll, Janine Casale (24) of Brearley and Gina Caprara (19) of New Providence rounded out the top five.
Plays of the year: Laura Zito of Oak Knoll and Alex Schlobohm of New Providence provided two of the county’s most spectacular plays this season.
Oak Knoll and Union Catholic were locked in a scoreless duel in the second round of the Union County Tournament when, with eight minutes remaining in regulation, Zito slipped free of her mark to begin the offensive transition. Zito gained possession at midfield and passed forward to Mary Coughlin, who sent the ball right back to her teammate inside the box. Zito shook off one defender, then another, then wheeled and fired for the only goal of the game.
In the second highlight, New Providence was clinging to a 1-0 lead over Belvidere in a Group 1 state semifinal match when Schlobohm worked her magic. Senior Gina Caprara sent a long clearing ball into the offensive third and Schlobohm used her amazing speed to not only chase it down but elude a defender and poke her nose into the box. The ball was cleared away, but Schlobohm regained possession, raced right through two collapsing defenders with the ball and fired a low line drive into the net for a 2-0 lead in a 3-0 victory.
Two is better than one: The Tobie sisters of Roselle Catholic, senior Melissa and freshman Katie, were the most prolific scoring tandem in the county this season, combining for 45 goals. Oak Knoll’s Laura Zito and Mary Coughlin were next with 42, and they were followed by Brearley’s Janine Casale and Amanda Filippone (37), Rahway’s Guan-Ju Tao and Angle Lopez (33) and New Providence’s Gina Caprara and Alex Schlobohm (31).
History repeats itself: When sophomore defender Jenna Madden helped New Providence win the Group 1 state championship, it completed a unique circle with her father and Columbia High soccer Hall of Famer, Jim Madden. Under the direction of legendary Columbia boys coach Gene Chyzowych, Jim Madden, a midfielder, helped his team win the 1978 Group 4 state title. For all the success which Chyzowych has had at Columbia — namely, four state titles — there have not been any prior instances of one of his players winning a state title and then having their son/daughter win one as well.
The defense rests: Union Catholic, anchored by senior sweeper Victoria Lopes and senior goalkeeper Samantha Pauls, led the county with 15 shutouts and had the fourth-best goals against average this season (0.76).
In terms of shutouts, Union Catholic was followed by Westfield (0.45 gaa) and New Providence (0.71) with 13 shutouts, Kent Place (0.81) with 12, and Scotch Plains (0.42) and Brearley (0.80) with 11.
Centurions unite: A pair of coaches who entered the Union County coaching fraternity in the same season has continued their parallel careers by reaching their 100th career victories within days of each other.
Gov. Livingston coach Mike Roof, who took over the reins in 2003, reached the century plateau first when his team defeated Union, 2-0, on Sept. 14. Roof’s career record stands at 106-53-10.
New Providence coach Scott Murphy was next to chalk up No. 100 when his team dispatched Cranford, 2-0, on Sept. 2-0. Murphy closed the season with a career record of 115-40-10.
