The 2010 high school girls soccer season comes to an end Saturday with New Providence playing for the state Group I final at 5 p.m. at TCNJ. I’ll be on the scene in Ewing providing real-time updates here on Corner Kicks, so be sure to check us out if you aren’t able to make the trip. Also, check out Saturday’s Courier News for a feature on New Providence senior Gina Caprara.
In the meantime, here’s how I see things going down:
WHO:North 2 champion New Providence (17-3) vs. South champion Pennsville (16-6)
WHEN/WHERE: 5 p.m. today/at The College of New Jersey, Ewing.
HOW THEY GOT HERE: New Providence beat Glen Ridge 2-0 in the North 2 Group I final, and blasted Belvidere 3-0 in the Group I semifinals. Pennsville beat Haddon Township 1-0 in the South Group I finals, before edging Point Pleasant Beach 3-2 in the Group I semifinals.
NEW PROVIDENCE REPORT: While the Pioneers’ offense is in the capable hands of senior Gina Caprara, sophomore Alex Schlobohm and junior Emma Culleton, the New Providence defense has come up big. The unit, which is playing a flat-back four instead of a diamond for the first time in coach Scott Murphy’s eight-year reign, is led by center backs Allie Boyle, a
senior, and junior Nicole Saitta. The team has allowed just 0.8 goals per game, including just two in the state tournament, with both coming during a 6-2 victory over Roselle Park in the first round, when the game was already well in hand. Along with freshman Ashley Evangelos and sophomore Jenna Madden, as well as junior keeper Jill Ashinsky, New Providence has posted 12 shutouts, and allowed as many as three goals in a game just twice — both against Union County Conference Watchung Division powerhouses, Union and Scotch Plains-Fanwood. Junior Tori Crisafi, who has been playing defensive center-mid since midway through the season, has also been key to the Pioneers’ effort.
PENNSVILLE REPORT: Led by senior captains Alex Smith, who has scored 32 goals, and Sarah Nickle, the Eagles have averaged 3.8 goals per game. And while that number is somewhat inflated by the fact Pennsville scored 54 of its 84 tallies during seven matches, the Eagles are a very dangerous offensive squad that has the knack of scoring when they need it most. Seeded sixth in South Group I, Pennsville’s has been an unlikely run, featuring several high-scoring games, as the Eagles seek their first state title since sharing the 2002 crown with Glen Rock — the same team that played to a co-championship with New Providence a year later. Senior sweeper Morgan Sparks leads the defense that has allowed just 1.3 goals per game. And while Pennsville has been prone to light up the scoreboard in wins, the Eagles have also allowed as many as four goals in a game on several occasions, which could prove lethal against New Providence’s highly potent attack.
PINCUS’ PICK: New Providence 3-1.
November 19, 2010 - Star Ledger
2010 NJSIAA Tournament
GIRLS GROUP 1 FINALS
A look at Saturday's Group championship games
When: Saturday, 5 p.m.
Where: The College of New Jersey, Ewing
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Pennsville: Alex Smith (Sr. M 31 goals); Sarah Nickle (Sr. F 16 goals); Abigail Nickle (So. M 10 goals); Chelsea Abhau (So. F 14 goals).
New Providence: Gina Caprara (Sr. M 19 goals, 11 assists); Alex Schlobohm (So. F 12 goal, 10 assists); Allie Boyle (Sr. D); Jenna Madden (So. D).
DID YOU KNOW: Pennsville has outscored its opponents, 87-29, en route to its first state final since playing Glen Rock to a 1-1 draw in the 2002 Group 1 state championship. New Providence is making its third appearance in the final but is in search of its first outright title. It shared Group 1 honors with Glen Rock in 2003 and Haddon Township in 2000.
November 19, 2010
2010 NJSIAA Tournament
Gina Caprara Enjoying Her Chance to Lead New Providence Offense
by Simeon Pincus - Staff Writer - Courier News
Gina Caprara waited three years to get the chance to be the focal point of the New Providence High School girls soccer team's offense, and now that she has had the chance, the senior has not disappointed.
The graduation losses of seven starters, including strikers Kim Closs and Rachel Schlobohm, put into serious question whether the Pioneers would be able to maintain the level of excellence — especially offensively — that led them to two straight sectional titles. Caprara has been one of the primary reasons New Providence has been even better in 2010.
Caprara played in the outside midfield behind the graduated stars, starting on varsity since her freshman year. And while her devastating shot always has made her a big part of the offense, it wasn't until this season that she — along with sophomore Alex Schlobohm — have become the engine that makes the Pioneers go.
"When you have some of the girls you had last year, you get overshadowed a little bit," said New Providence coach Scott Murphy, whose team will battle Pennsville at 5 p.m. today in the NJSIAA Group I final at The College of New Jersey. "But this is her year. She has 20 goals, primarily from a midfield position. She and Alex make us run and give us the energy and the momentum to go forward and attack."
"I've always wanted to play forward, but I never got the chance," Caprara said. "So I just followed Kim and Rachel's footsteps until this year. Last year I had 17 goals, so it's not like I didn't score a lot, but now I feel like me and Alex up top, we can do a lot of damage."
Part of what makes Caprara so valuable, Murphy said, is that she's a big-game player and has been her whole career, even when she played more of a supporting role.
It was Caprara's goal against Waldwick in the 2008 Group I semifinals that forced overtime and, ultimately, a shootout, and the senior has come up big again this year. Caprara has scored in each of New Providence's tournament games, including in 1-0 victories against Whippany Park and Glen Ridge.
"The one thing she had even then (as a young player) that the other kids are starting to get now is she shows up in big games," Murphy said. "There aren't many goalies that are going to stop Gina's shot from everywhere. It's gotten more accurate. She's very good with playing with her back to goal, and she's very good at turning and making a shot that goalies almost don't expect because it's very quick and very hard."
And while Caprara enjoys the fact she gets the ball more now inside the box than she did, she still loves sending in a sizzler from a distance.
"I still always look to shoot," Caprara said. "I literally take all my anger out on the ball when I shoot it. I like shooting outside the 18 because I feel like my ball always goes upper 90, and goalies have trouble stopping it. Alex loves dribbling, so I watch her do the dribbling and I work my way outside the box."
Caprara, who has been through all the heartbreak of falling in shootouts and overtimes the past two seasons in the Group I semifinals, relishes the fact New Providence has surpassed expectations this season. After the mass graduation losses, the move into the more competitive Union County Conference Mountain Division and the run through the sectional
tournament with the bull's-eye that comes with being a two-time defending champ, the Pioneers not only are playing for their first state title since sharing it with Glen Rock in 2003 but for their first solo crown.
"It's been a long four years," said Caprara, who will wrap up her high school career Saturday on the same field where she will play in college. "We thought we were going to make it last year because we had a better group of players. We lost seven starters and 10 seniors and we kind of all, at first, didn't really know each other. We were all new to each other and we've become a great group together and we've come out hard. I had a feeling this was going to be the year something good was going to happen."
November 20, 2010
2010 NJSIAA Tournament
GIRLS GROUP 1 FINALS
Group girls final: The live blog – New Providence wins!!
by Simeon Pincus - Staff Writer - Courier News
We’re underway here at The College of New Jersey with the New Providence High School girls soccer team facing Pennsville for the Group I title.
36:59 left in first half: The Pioneers had a chance in the third minute after Pennsville was whistled for a handball just outside the box, but Gina Caprara’s free kick hit the wall.
28:51 left in first – Caprara’s shot from left side line hit Pennsville keeper Dani Cornman and trickled toward far post, but Corman dove after it and reeled it in before it crossed the goal line.
22:01 left in first half – Emma Culleton fired a 30-yard shot from left sideline that hit crossbar
19:33 left in first half — Pennsville’s Alex Smith tried to squeeze a shot through two defenders, which trickled into the box toward keeper Jill Ashinsky. Ashinsky and Eagles forward Sarah Nickle got to the ball at the same time and Nickle got it past her, but the ball rolled wide right to keep the scoreboard clear.
Scoreless at halftime
The first half of the second period’s been pretty uneventful, though New Providence has gained three shots on goal to none for Pennsville. The Pioneers are starting to pick up the pressure, but so far there’s been very few good chances.
Freshman Casey Trezza knocked in a loose ball with 1:41 left in regulation to give New Providence the lead and that’s how it ended, the Pioneers capture their first-ever solo title, 1-0.
Check back later tonight for a full coverage of the New Providence victory here on Corner Kicks
Game 21 - November 20, 2010
2010 NJSIAA Tournament
GROUP 1 FINALS
New Providence 1, Pennsvlille 0
New Providence Girls Win Group I Title
by Simeon Pincus - Staff Writer - Courier News
Freshman midfielder Casey Trezza fired home a loose ball after an Emma Culleton corner kick with 1:41 left in regulation Saturday to lift the New Providence High School girls soccer team to a 1-0 victory over Pennsville and the championship of the NJSIAA Group I Tournament.
I covered this one down at TCNJ, for my game story CLICK HERE.
ANALYSIS: The Pioneers dominated this game, especially in shots, as New Providence outshot the Eagles 10-1 on goal and 15-3 overall.
Trezza was in the right place at the right time and did a great job converting her opportunity, while the Pioneers defense did another phenomenal job shutting down Pennsville’s high-flying attack.
Congrats to New Prov and coach Scott Murphy on the Pioneers’ third state title of the decade, and first-ever solo crown in program history.
Game 21 - November 20, 2010
2010 NJSIAA Tournament
GROUP 1 FINALS
New Providence 1, Pennsvlille 0
Casey Trezza Goal Gives New Providence
1st Outright Group I Title
by Simeon Pincus - Staff Writer - Courier News
After losing seven starters to graduation, perhaps it's fitting it was a freshman who came up with the championship-winning goal for the New Providence High School girls soccer team in the biggest game in program history.
The Pioneers outshot Pennsville 10-1 on goal, yet they were denied a chance to crack the scoreboard until freshman defensive center mid Casey Trezza came off the bench with 12 minutes left and buried the winner off of a corner kick with 1:41 left in regulation Saturday to lift New Providence to a 1-0 victory in the NJSIAA Group I championship at The College of New Jersey.
With the clock ticking toward overtime, junior Emma Culleton took a corner kick from the right side and sent a long drive toward the net. The ball was kicked around and came out to Allison Boyle, who took an off-balance shot that deflected off of a Pennsville player and rolled out to Trezza at the 10-yard line. The rookie then blasted the ball into the left corner of the net to give the Pioneers all they would need.
"A teammate (Stephanie Prini) actually told me to stay there," said Trezza, who scored her first varsity goal. "She said, "It's coming to you,' and I just saw it and kicked it."
The title is the first outright crown for New Providence, which shared the championship in 2003 and 2000.
New Providence came out controlling much of the first half, taking five shots — three on goal. The Pioneers' best chance came with 13:51 left in the second half when senior sniper Gina Caprara took the ball inside the 30-yard line, used some fancy footwork to get clear of a defender and unloaded a strong sailing shot toward the top of the net. But Pennsville keeper Dani Cornman leapt and deflected the ball over the net to keep the scoreboard clean.
The Eagles' defense, meanwhile, was doing a great job keeping sophomore striker Alex Schlobohm in check and keeping Caprara from getting many clear shots at the net.
As the offense was trying to work chances, the New Providence defense continued its stingy ways, limiting Pennsville to just one weak shot on goal and three total shots.
"It's the same thing they've done all year," Pioneers coach Scott Murphy said. "It's just the organization between the four in the back and (defensive center mid) Tori (Crisafi) and Casey (Trezza), when she came in. They just know how to pass people on, how to track people. We rarely get beat with balls going through the defense. They just play so well together as a unit."
Murphy said this win was for the program, not just the players wearing the green jerseys Saturday.
"I would like to say that I expected to be back here, but it was somewhat unexpected," Murphy said. "I knew we had a chance to be in a sectional final, but this is just fantastic. For them to win the first outright championship in school history is great for them and some of their past teammates that came back here today."
"These girls, we've come such a long way," Caprara said. "We all came in, literally, not even knowing each other, and here we are winning in the state final. New Providence girls soccer has never won a state final — we're always co-champs — and basically we just showed everybody.
"I'm just so happy for the girls. I love every single one of them."
Game 21 - November 20, 2010
2010 NJSIAA Tournament
GROUP 1 FINALS
New Providence 1, Pennsvlille 0
New Providence Girls Win Group I Title
by Rich Bevensee - Staff Writer - Star Ledger
For a New Providence team that rested its state championship hopes on two extremely talented scorers for most of the season, the defining moment of the final match of the year came from the most unlikely source.
With Pennsville concentrating its defensive efforts on senior Gina Caprara and sophomore Alex Schlobohm, freshman Casey Trezza appeared into the picture to deliver the decisive blow.
Trezza blasted a rebounded shot from inside the box with 1:41 left in regulation and New Providence gained its first outright state championship with a 1-0 victory over Pennsville in the NJSIAA/The Sports Authority Stores Group 1 state final last night at The College of New Jersey in Ewing.
Coming in to the finale, New Providence (18-3) owned a share of two other Group1 titles, but they were the product of scoreless ties with Haddon Township in 2000 and with Glen Rock in 2003.
``I’m shocked,’’ said Trezza, who scored her first goal of the season. ``I’ve had chances like that before but I’ve always hit them over the crossbar. I’ve been practicing keeping those shots low. But I never thought my chance to score would come in a moment like this. This is so unbelievable I can’t describe it. I’m happy, especially for the seniors.’’
Pennsville (16-7), which lost to Glen Ridge in the 2001 final and shared state title honors with Glen Rock in ’02, came into the game with 87 goals on the season
New Providence goalie Jill Ashinsky, a junior, needed to make just one save for her 13th shutout of the year. Ashinsky was assisted by an outstanding flat-back foursome of Allie Boyle, Ashley Evangelos, Nicole Saitta and Jenna Madden. That group allowed just two goals in six state tournament games.
``This is the best feeling in the world,’’ Boyle said. ``I’ve been thinking about this every moment since we won the semis (against Belvidere on Tuesday). We support each other in the back and that’s our key. Pennsville definitely had a good team and I’m so glad we were able to pull through.’’
Trezza’s goal came amidst a solid Pennsville defensive effort that kept Caprara (19 goals) and Schlobohm (12 goals) off balance most of the game. Emma Culleton placed a corner kick into the box and Boyle took a shot which bounced right to the feet of Trezza 10 yards from the goal mouth.
``I didn’t think I’ve never scored, I just shot it,’’ Trezza said.
``I don’t know that goal was coming, considering they were doing such a good job defending Gina and Alex,’’ New Providence coach Scott Murphy said. ``I was preparing some adjustments in case we were going into overtime, but something came of nothing.’’
Pennsville's Chelsea Abhau, left, fights off New Providence's Jenna Maden for a lose ball in the 1st half.
Pennsville's Chelsea Abhau, left, is challenged by New Providence's Jenna Madden in the 2nd half.
New Providence's Alex Schlobohm, left, and Anna Crisafi challenge Pennsville's Abigail Nickle in the 1st half.
New Providence's Nicole Saitta, left, challenges Pennsville's Sarah Nickle in the 2nd half.
After the game New Providence's Casey Trezza, center, is mobed and congratulated by her teammates for scoring the winning goal with less than 2 minutes left in the game.
Pennsville's Alex Smith, left, defends against New Providence's Allie Boyle in the 1st half.
As Pennsville's Molly Dieen, right, tries to clear the ball New Providence's Alex Shlobohm presures her in the 1st half.
New Providence's Tori Crisafi clears the ball away from Pennsville's Sarah Nickle in the 1st half.
In the 1st half Pennsville's Sarah Nickle, left, has her shot go wide as New Providence's Ashley Evangelos, center, defends with keeper Jill Ashinsky.
New Providence's Casey Trezza, center, is mobed by her teammates Stephanni Perini (14), Tori Crisafi , left,, and Gina Caprara, right, after scoring the game winning goal with less than 2 minutes left in the game.
New Providence keeper Jill Ashinsky makes a save on a corner kick in the 2nd half.
New Providence vs Pennsville
NJSIAA Group 1 girls soccer final
Ewing, NJ 11/16/10
Photo by (Aristide Economopoulos/The Star-Ledger)
TO PURCHASE PHOTO, CALL THE STAR-LEDGER PHOTO LIBRARY AT 973-392-1530
It was a magical run for the Pennsville Memorial High School girls soccer team, a run that ended one game, one goal and one win short of a state championship.
New Providence’s Casey Trezza stuck a shot from 10 yards out inside the left post with 1:41 left in the game to break a 0-0 tie and clinch the NJSIAA girls soccer state Group I championship for the Pioneers (18-3).
The game appeared destined for overtime before New Providence’s Emma Culleton served a corner into the box. Allie Boyle’s initial shot was blocked by a Pennsville defender, but the ricochet bounced right to the foot of Trezza, a freshman substitute.
“I knew we could get here from the beginning of the season,” Pennsville senior Alex Smith said. “Everybody told us we’re not doing what we should be doing and we’re playing individually. We pulled it together as a team and made it here. I’m proud of everybody.”
“We had a great season,” Pennsville coach Jill Schoenberg said. “The girls stepped up during the playoffs. It was an honor just to get this far and be a part of this today and have this experience.”
The goal was the culmination to 20 minutes of pressure from New Providence, which registered six of its 14 shots and four of its five corners in that span. The Pennsville defense, led by goalkeeper Dani Cornman (eight saves), sweeper Morgan Sparks and backs Chelsea Lovell, Molly Dineen, Allison Rastelli and Kassidy White, did a good job of pushing back against that pressure.
“They just came out stronger in the second half,” Schoenberg said. “It seemed like they were beating us to the ball the second half.”
“They moved the ball a little better than we did,” said Smith, who finished the season with 33 goals to lead South Jersey. “We had trouble with that. We were too busy back on defense that we didn’t have people up high on offense, and we had a hard time making offensive runs.”
Pennsville’s (16-7) best chance of the second half came 13 minutes in when White sent a restart on net that resulted in a corner, which allowed forward Chelsea Abhau to body a shot on goal that was turned away by Pioneers keeper Jill Ashinsky (five saves).
Cornman made the save of the night 20 minutes later when New Providence’s leading scorer, Gina Caprara, hit a high shot that Cornman leaped for and punched just over the crossbar to save a goal.
The first half was back and forth with each team registering quality scoring opportunities.
New Providence had the first real scoring chance of the game when an Eagles’ handball gave Caprara a free kick from 18 yards out three minutes into the game, which she blasted right into the Pennsville wall and the Eagles subsequently cleared.
Ten minutes later, Caprara nearly gave the Pioneers a 1-0 lead when she blasted a shot from about 30 yards out on the left side that Cornman bobbled before diving back to save the ball just short of the endline.
Pennsville’s best chance of the first came 20 minutes in, but trickled just wide. Smith fed a through-ball to fellow senior and forward Sarah Nickle inside the box, who got tangled up with Ashinsky with the ricochet rolling off the mark.
This was Pennsville’s third appearance in the state final. The last one came in 2002 when the Eagles shared a co-championship with Glen Rock. That was the Eagles second consecutive trip to the final after falling in the 2001 game to Glen Ridge.
For New Providence, it’s the Pioneers third state championship in as many appearances after sharing titles with Glen Rock in 2003 and Haddon Township in 2000.
Sparks, Smith and Nickle are three of the seven seniors Pennsville will graduate.
“They mean a lot to us,” Schoenberg said. “(Sparks, Smith and Nickle) were our team captains and we’ll miss them greatly next year. They’re great players and great girls.”
And when asked what she’ll remember about this season and its incredible postseason run, Smith looked around at the stadium, looked at her team exiting the field, watched the final acts of the 2010 Pennsville girls soccer team and summed it all up. "I’m definitely going to remember this.”
Game 21 - November 20, 2010
2010 NJSIAA Tournament - Group 1 Final
Lady Pioneers Clinch First Outright Group I Title
Freshman's Late Goal Gives New Providence 1-0 win
over Pennsville, first crown since 2003.
by Todd Cohen - Staff Writer - New Providence Patch
After losing seven starters to graduation, the New Providence girls soccer team won their first outright NJSIAA Group I championship last night at The College of New Jersey.
Freshman reserve Casey Trezza, who didn't think she would even make the varsity roster this season, came into the game with 12 minutes left and shut down Pennsville with a score off a rebound with 1:41 left in the regulation.
The Pioneers freshman connected off a scrum in front of the goal, following a corner kick by Emma Culleton. The ball was sent to the far post and deflected off teammate Allie Boyle and a Pennsville defender. That's when Trezza, with her first varsity score just 10 yards from the goal, got the chance to become part of New Providence girls soccer history.
"I just saw it coming to me and kicked it," Trezza said. "It's incredible."
A strong finishing effort by the defense clinched the Pioneer's championship title, 1-0, a first for the Pioneers, who shared the crown in 2003 with Glen Ridge and in 2000 with Haddon Twp.
"I would like to say I expected to be back here, but it was somewhat unexpected," said Pioneers Coach Scott Murphy. "It's just fantastic and for them to win the first outright title is great."
The game was a battle throughout as the teams traded chances in the attacking end, with New Providence holding an advantage in shots, 11-3.
Senior Alex Smith, who came into the game leading South Jersey with 33 goals, was held without many good looks for Pennsville (16-7). Freshman defender Ashley Evangelos headed the pesky effort in the back with several key clears that preserved New Providence's 13th shutout on the season.
"They just moved the ball a little bit better," Smith said. "I think we were just too busy being back on defense and never could get much going."
Leading scorer Gina Caprara, who scored in each of the team's state tournament games and secured 20 goals under her belt this season, was held without a goal for the first time this postseason. She fired up several long prayers that never found the back of the net.
With 13:51 remaining, she had her best opportunity to connect. She took a shot from about 30 yards out that the Pennsville keeper Dani Cornman punched over the goal. On the ensuing corner, the Eagles defense cleared the ball away.
But Trezza's goal made way to the Pioneer's state title and Junior Jenna Madden crushed Pennsville's final hopes by sending the ball over the sideline as the final seconds ticked off the clock.
"We rarely get beat with balls getting through the defense," Murphy said. "We just play so well as a unit. The organization between the four in the back is so strong. They can track people so effectively."
For New Providence (18-3), the appearance in the game was a remarkable feat for a squad that lost seven starters to graduation.
Even without the huge losses of experience due to graduation throughout the lineup, the Pioneers managed to qualify for their third straight sectional title and improved on last season's 1-0 loss to Cresskill in the Group I semifinals.
The Pioneers wild ride to the Group title came after the loss of seven starters to graduation. A 2-1 early season overtime defeat to Scotch Plains-Fanwood and a win over Glen Ridge provided an indication that the team might have a chance to hang with the big guns in the county and the state.
Trezza's goal was just as unexpected as the team's appearance in the state title game.
Just three months ago, Trezza didn't think she'd even make the varsity roster.
As freshman vying for a reserve spot on a squad that had just lost 11 seniors, Trezza was in shock when she made the cut.
"I thought I might have a shot, but when I got the news, I was overjoyed," said Trezza, who was holding a yellow rose following the final game. "I was just happy to be on the team."
And on the biggest stage last night, the freshman reserve was much more than just another name on the roster.
The Lady Pioneers huddle together before the game begins.
It was a consistent battle throughout the game, with the only goal scored with 1:41 left by freshman reserve Casey Trezza.
The battle continues, with the score 0-0 at halftime.
Junior keeper Jill Ashinsky collects the ball to throw back down field.
Coach Murphy and Assistant Coach Melissa Halpern watch the team's battle from the sidelines.
Players celebrate after their Group I Title win.
The New Providence girls soccer team before the Group I title game begins. Credit Todd
The Lady Pioneers really are "number 1" after their Group I title win.
Players and coaches celebrate after the big win with their award.
Players and coaches celebrate after the big win.
November 20, 2010 - New Providence Patch
2010 NJSIAA Tournament
GIRLS GROUP 1 FINALS
Lady Pioneers Ready to Battle for State Title
Facing an opponent the team knows little about,
New Providence Girls Soccer will challenge Pennsville Tonight
New Providence High School girls' soccer team knows very little aboutthe team they will play for the State Group I title this afternoon at
The College of New Jersey in Ewing. The same holds for Pennsville.
The Pioneers, North Jersey Section 2 Group I champion, will bring a 17-3 record into their 5 p.m. game with South Jersey champion Pennsville, 16-6.
New Providence is seeking its first state title since 2003 when it was a co-champ with Glen Rock. The Pioneers also shared the title in 2000 with Haddon Township.
Pioneer coach Scott Murphy, in his eighth season, has been trying to find out information about Pennsville, which is too far south to have had common opponents.
"I've sent out emails to all of the Union County coaches, but I think they are just too far south,'' he said.
This much is known – senior captain Alex Smith has scored 32 goals, Pennsville has averaged 3.8 goals per game and given up just 1.3 goals per contest. Sarah Nickle is another big threat up front.
One other thing – while New Providence was the top seed in its section, Pennsville was sixth.
"They've scored a lot of goals and they play and attack,'' Murphy said. "We're waiting on some reports. But you know, at this level, everybody is good.''
New Providence has been showing it down the stretch. The Pioneers have allowed 0.8 goals per game – just two in the state tournament. Both came in a 6-2 rout of Roselle Park in the first round.
Junior keeper Jill Ashinsky has 12 shutouts and has allowed as many as three goals just twice, both against Union County powers: Union and Scotch Plains-Fanwood.
The Pioneers come into the state title game after blanking Glen Ridge 2-0 in the sectional final and Belvidere 3-0 in the state semifinal.
The Pioneers' offense is led by senior Gina Caprara, sophomore Alex Schlobohm and junior Emma Culleton. Caprara has 19 goals and 11 assists, while Schlobohm has scored 12 goals and assisted on 10 others.
The defense is anchored by senior center back Allie Boyle, junior Nicole Saitta, freshman Ashley Evangelos and sophomore Jenna Madden with Ashinsky behind them.
Junior Tori Crisafi, who has stepped up big as a defensive center-mid since midway through the season, developed into a key player.
Murphy said the Pioneers spent the latter half of the week working on set plays.
"We're staying loose; we've been working on little things that might make a difference,'' he said.
By SIMEON PINCUS • STAFF WRITER • December 10, 2010
It had been four long years since an area high school girls soccer team won a state title, but thanks to New Providence, a trip to of New Jersey finally bore fruit.
After topping Glen Ridge their third straight North 2 Group I crown, the Pioneers blasted Belvidere 3-0 in the Group I semifinals before getting a clutch goal from freshman Casey Trezza in the final minutes of regulation to grab the state crown, 1-0 over Pennsville.
It was the first outright state group championship in New Providence's program history — the Pioneers shared the 2000 and 2003 crowns — and the first for an area team since Pingry's Non-Public A crown in 2006.
But New Providence's heroics weren't the only thing that made the 2010 season memorable.
Team of the Year
Watchung Hills also won a sectional title, its first since 2004, as the Warriors topped Bridgewater-Raritan 2-0 in the North 2 Group IV final two weeks the program's first Somerset County Tournament championship.
The county final berth was the first for Pete Lubrecht — as a player or a coach — after five losses in semifinals, including twice in overtime and another with 14 seconds left in regulation.
Here's to the winners
While New Providence celebrated a state championship and the Union County Conference Mountain Division title, and Watchung Hills enjoyed its sectional and county crowns, six other squads hoisted hardware.
Not only did Scotch Plains-Fanwood win the Union County Conference Watchung Division, but the Raiders grabbed their fifth Union County Tournament title in the past six years, topping Westfield 2-0 in the final.
Pingry won the Skyland Conference Delaware Division with a 7-0 record, Somerville grabbed the Skyland Raritan crown by going 10-0-2, and Bernards captured the Valley Division, with a rain-shortened 0-0 draw with North Warren the lone divisional blemish. Wardlaw-Hartridge and Timothy Christian shared the Greater Middlesex Conference Gold Division title, as each team's only divisional loss in their first season in was to the other.
Goal of the Year
Watchung Hills sophomore Jessica Soldiviero's game-winning goal off of a pass from Daphne Corboz in overtime of the Somerset County Tournament final wasn't only memorable for the magnitude of the goal but for the sheer beauty of the connection. With the clock tumbling toward a tie, Corboz gained possession along the right sideline and dribbled into the Pingry defensive third, drawing two defenders. A third back, who was eyeing Soldiviero as she sprinted down the center of the field, finally broke toward Corboz as she began to turn toward the net, and the senior pounced on the opportunity. Corboz hit Soldiviero with a perfect pass, and the sophomore booted it past a falling Pingry keeper with 2:20 left in the second overtime to give the Warriors the title.
Shot of the Year
Casey Trezza was in middle school when New Providence won its 2008 and 2009 sectional titles, and as the Pioneers kicked off against Pennsville in this year's Group I final, the freshman was on the bench.
Somehow, in the final minutes of regulation, the defensive center mid found herself on the field at The College of New Jersey and, more amazingly, in the perfect spot when a rebound off of a trickled out to her near the 10-yard line. Trezza reacted and sent a bullet into the back of the net with 1:41 left in regulation to lift the Pioneers to the championship.
Performance of the Year
While she played plenty of forward, Shayna Blackwood spent time all over the field for Pingry.
Blackwood started at defender when Pingry faced Montgomery in the Somerset County Tournament semifinals Oct. 23 and scored a goal off of a corner kick to tie the game at 1-1 during the 38th minute. The Cougars then opened a 3-1 lead midway through the second half, putting the Big Blue's string of eight straight trips to the final in jeopardy.
Pingry coach Andrew Egginton then moved Blackwood up front, and the junior responded, scoring three times during the final 15 minutes to send Pingry to the championship game.
Independent Press - December 01, 2010
‘Rebuilding’ Year Turns Gold for
New Providence Girls Soccer
Tracking the Pioneers by Sam Stern
NEW PROVIDENCE — As the Girls’ Soccer Team entered the 2010 season, questions loomed regarding the upcoming campaign. The Pioneers had lost numerous key seniors who had made up the core of the previous year’s team. All-Group One team members Kim Closs, Connie Haggerty, Nan Tucker, and Rachel Schlobohm were lost to higher education. Schlobohm is now currently playing at Cornell, a Division One powerhouse. Tucker anchored the defense at sweeper, Haggerty provided stellar play at goalie, and Closs and Schlobohm, the two forwards, paced an offense that scored over 100 goals for the season.
Fans, coaches, and even players were certain this would be a rebuilding year, a time for the young team to progress and hopefully improve enough to compete in the 2011 season. As any even half-interested onlooker can now tell you, the team went on to transcend the term “exceeded expectations.”
When pre-season training began in August, despite the loss of the seniors, there were numerous bright spots to look upon. Gina Caprara, a 17 goal scorer from 2009, was back for her final campaign. A four-year starter, Caprara was expected to be the team’s leader. Allie Boyle also was starting her season, plugging the hole Tucker had left at sweeper.
The Pioneers also returned a talented junior class including Stephanni Perini, Emma Culleton, Tori Crisafi, Nicole Saitta, Jill Ashinsky, and Olivia Arent. All had played large roles on the 2009 team, and were now looked upon as leaders who would carry larger responsibilities.
Talented sophomores Alex Schlobohm (sister of Rachel), Kelly Carroll, Jenna Madden, and Ally Hartenstein rounded out the returning impact players from the 2009 team.
With these girls being known entities, the incoming freshman class was the only uncertainty. Many of the new class quickly asserted themselves as immediate contributors. “At the beginning of the season we knew there were a few freshmen to keep an eye on. During preseason the girls quickly earned their spot and ended up playing a crucial role in our games throughout the season and playoffs,” said junior midfielder Stephanni Perini. Anna Crisafi and Ashley Evangelos started at midfield and defense respectively, while Casey Trezza provided a large supporting role off the bench. By the end of pre-season training, the girls looked stronger than expected and ready to silence their doubters.
As the season progressed, the Pioneers looked stronger than any other previous team. Over their first 12 games, the team went 11-1, with their only loss coming against powerhouse Union 3-2. During this stretch, New Providence outscored its opponents 44-7, not a statistic usually associated with a team in a rebuilding year. Only two other losses would befall the Pioneers, both at the hands of perennial Top 20 Scotch Plains. One of these defeats came in the semi-final of the prestigious Union County Tournament, regarded as a pool for the top talent in the state. After these two heart-breaking defeats, the team returned to regular form, winning the remainder of their regular season games.
As a result of their business-like consistency and dominance, the girls earned the top seed for the New Jersey State Tournament. This meant home games for the first two contests; resulting in a 6-2 win over Roselle Park and a 1-0 victory against Whippany Park. The Pioneers then played Glen Ridge in the Sectional Final where senior leader Gina Caprara put her team on her back and scored the game’s only goal. New Providence had captured the Sectional crown, yet they had their minds on a bigger goal, the overall Group title.
On a chilly Nov. 16, the Pioneers faced Belvidere in Oakland for the right to move to the state championship. What was touted to be a close affair quickly turned into a blowout as New Providence rolled 3-0, with Schlobohm accounting for two goals and Caprara one.
The Group Championship proved to be a fitting end to the season. In a year where youth was an unquestionable theme, a freshman scored the goal that propelled New Providence over Pennsville and to an outright Group One championship. Midfielder Casey Trezza score in the last minute off Emma Culleton’s corner-kick, sealing the victory for the 2010 Pioneers.
In a year where rebuilding was a pre-season reality, this year’s team achieved an outright state championship, the first in the school’s history. Coach Scott Murphy said it best, “This year was special, I will never forget the effort the girls put into their magical season.”
Gina Caprara waited three years to get the chance to be the focal point of the New Providence High School girls soccer team's offense, and now that she has had the chance, the senior has not disappointed.
