Honorable Mention - Jill Ashinsky, Kelly Carroll, Erin Fay, Stephanni Perini and Nicole Saitta
Union County Girls Soccer Coaches Association
1st team - Alex Schlobohm
3rd team - Emma Culleton & Nicole Saitta
Honorable Mention - Tori Crisafi, Stephanni Perini and
Jill Ashinsky
Game 1 - September 09, 2011
New Providence 5, Linden 0
The Star Ledger
Stephanni Perini, Alex Schlobohm and Emma Culleton clicked for first-half goals, boosting New Providence to a 3-0 halftime lead in the season opener for both squads in Linden. New Providence added two more thanks to Kelly Carroll and Lisa Caprara in the second half, while Culleton, Carroll and Hannah Levine each had one assist, and Jill Ashinsky made two saves. Alaina Catananzi had 17 saves for Linden.
Player GoalsAssists
Lisa Caprara 1
Kelly Carroll 11
Emma Culleton 11
Hannah Lavine 1
Stephanni Perini 1
Alex Schlobohm 1
GoalkeeperSaves
Jill Ashinsky 2
Alaina Catananzi 17
The Courier News
Senior midfielder Emma Culleton and junior forward Kelly Carroll each notched a goal and an assist as New Providence cruised to its first victory of the season. Junior forward Alex Schlobohm found the net in the 19th minute and Culleton answered with another goal in the 21st to give the Pioneers a commanding 3-0 lead at the half. Senior midfielder Stephanni Perini and freshman forward Lisa Caprara also added goals.
Alaina Catananzi made16 saves for Linden (0-1).
Schedule
Game 2 - September 13, 2011
New Providence 2, Oak Knoll 0
The Star Ledger
By Rich Bevensee
Expectations can do funny things to a team that expects to build on a season chock full of success from the year before.
New Providence senior midfielder Emma Culleton isn't worried that her team is overly focused on preseason expectations, which stem from its state championship run to the Group 1 title last fall, but she knows that the current level of play must improve if there is to be any late-season celebration like in 2010.
Alex Schlobohm connected for two goals to help New Providence overcome a lackluster first half in a 2-0 victory over Oak Knoll yesterday at Lieder Field in New Providence.
``Everyone came out flat today, and I don't know why,'' said Culleton after New Providence (2-0), which returned nine starters, struggled to maintain possession for long stretches. ``Luckily, we came away with two goals when we weren't playing so well, but that's how soccer goes sometimes.''
Culleton knows particularly well how prior experience with postseason success can carry over to the following season, but she's also aware that expectations could cripple that success. Culleton was a member of New Providence's state championship squad last fall, and she was a forward on the girls basketball team that won a second straight Group 1 title last winter.
``I think the pressure to repeat is a good thing, because we all know the talent is here to do that and we know what our job is,'' Culleton said. ``What we can't do is worry about what is said about us in the paper. We have to get better and focus on ourselves.''
Schlobohm, a junior and the team's leading returning scorer last season with 11 goals, scored in the 24th when she tapped in a rebound after Lisa Caprara fired on Oak Knoll keeper Deirdre Walsh (nine saves), who was outstanding in keeping Oak Knoll (1-1) in the game with a handful of dynamic saves.
Roughly 10 minutes later, Schlobohm was taken down inside the 18 and converted the ensuing penalty kick. Jill Ashinsky needed just one save for her second shutout of the season and 15th of her career.
Player GoalsAssists
Alex Schlobohm 2
GoalkeeperSaves
Jill Ashinsky 1
Deirdre Walsh 9
Game 3 - September 15, 2011
New Providence 5, Plainfield 1
The Star Ledger
Freshman Erin Fay scored twice and had an assist to help boost New Providence (3-0) to a 3-0 lead at Hub Stine Field in Plainfield. Lisa Caprara chalked up a goal and an assist, while Ellie Skrinski and Lotta Blumbuerg also connected for goals and Emily Pooley made five saves. Amber Crews recorded 10 stops in goal for Plainfield (0-2).
Player GoalsAssists
Lotta Blumberg 1
Ellie Skrinski 1
Erin Fay 2 1
Lisa Caprara 1 1
GoalkeeperSaves
Emily Pooley5
Amber Crews 10
Perla Herrera3
Game 4 - September 20, 2011
New Providence 1, Kent Place 0
The Star Ledger
Kelly Carroll converted an Alex Schlobohm corner kick in the eighth minute to lift host New Providence (4-0). Jill Ashinsky stopped 10 shots for her fourth shutout of the season. Liza Kowalik made 14 saves for Kent Place (3-1).
Player GoalsAssists
Kelly Carroll 1
Alex Schlobohm1
GoalkeeperSaves
Jill Ashinsky 10
Liza Kowalik 14
Game 5 - September 22, 2011
New Providence 1, Cranford 1
The Star Ledger
Alex Schlobohm scored a goal and Jill Ashinsky came through with four saves for New Providence (4-0-1) and Mairead McKeary scored the goal for Cranford (2-1-1) in Cranford.
Player GoalsAssists
Alex Schlobohm 1
GoalkeeperSaves
Jill Ashinsky 4
Cranford 7
Game 6 - September 24, 2011
New Providence 1, Johnson 0
The Star Ledger
Schlobohm, Carroll, Ashinsky carry N. Providence
Alex Schlobohm scored on an assist by Kelly Carroll in the 50th minute for unbeaten New Providence (5-0-1) in New Providence. Jill Ashinsky made four saves to record the shutout. Jamie Cheeka halted a dozen shots for Johnson (0-5).
Player GoalsAssists
Alex Schlobohm 1
Kelly Carroll1
GoalkeeperSaves
Jill Ashinsky 4
Jamie Cheeka 12
Game 7 - September 27, 2011
New Providence 5, Rahway 0
The Star Ledger
Ashley Evangelos chalked up a pair of goals and Kelly Carroll marked a goal and an assist to boost New Providence (6-0-1) in New Providence. Stephanni Perini and Paige Carleen both scored once and Alex Schlobohm and Jenna Madden each had an assist. Rahway is 1-5.
Player GoalsAssists
Paige Carleen 1
Kelly Carroll 1 1
Ashley Evangelos 2
Jenna Madden 1
Stephanni Perini 1
Alex Schlobohm 1
GoalkeeperSaves
Jill Ashinsky 2
Alex Castro 7
Game 8 - September 30, 2011
New Providence 2, Brearley 0
The Star Ledger
Stephanni Perini scored in the 1st half and Emma Culleton added a goal in the 2nd half for New Providence (7-0-1) in Kenilworth. Alex Schlobohm and Erin Fay each had an assist and Jill Ashinsky made three saves in the shutout. Amanda Voorhees stopped 12 shots for Brearley (4-3).
Player GoalsAssists
Emma Culleton 1
Erin Fay 1
Stephanni Perini 1
Alex Schlobohm1
GoalkeeperSaves
Jill Ashinsky 3
Amanda Voorhhes 12
Game 9 - October 4, 2011
New Providence 6, Elizabeth 0
The Star Ledger
Lisa Caprara led four players in the scoring column with two goals and one assist for New Providence (8-0-1) in New Providence. Emma Culleton scored twice and Olivia Arent and Lucy Lavine each added one goal. Elizabeth is 3-3-1.
Player GoalsAssists
Lisa Caprara 21
Emma Culleton 2
Olivia Arent 1
Stephanni Perini 1
Lucy Lavine 1
Anna Crisafi1
Hannah Lavin 1
Erin Fay1
Alex Schlobohm1
GoalkeeperSaves
Jill Ashinsky 5
Stephanni Perini 1
Kelly Cordoba 4
Jeanine Franco 7
Game 10 - October 6, 2011
New Providence 3, Union Catholic 0
The Star Ledger
Alex Schlobohm scored two goals and Emma Culleton added a goal and an assist to lead New Providence in Scotch Plains. Jill Ashinsky stopped all four shots she faced for New Providence (9-0-1). Molly O'Halloran made 13 saves for Union Catholic (6-5).
Player GoalsAssists
Emma Culleton 11
Alex Schlobohm 21
GoalkeeperSaves
Jill Ashinsky 4
Molly O'Halloran13
Game 11 - October 13, 2011
New Providence 4, Oak Knoll 3
The Star Ledger
Alex Schlobohm scored a golden goal in the seventh minute of overtime to give New Providence (10-0-1) its first lead of the match in a regular-season contest in Chatham. Kelly Carroll, Emma Culleton and Anna Crisafi also scored for New Providence. Oak Knoll (7-4) received all of its goals in the first half from Ginny Whitman, Lizzie Armstrong and Emma D'Arpino. Jill Ashinsky recorded nine saves for New Providence and Deirdre Walsh had nine saves for Oak Knoll.
Player GoalsAssists
Kelly Carroll 1 1
Anna Crisafi 1
Emma Culleton 1
Alex Schlobohm 1
GoalkeeperSaves
Jill Ashinsky 9
Deirdre Walsh 9
Game 12 - October 17, 2011
New Providence 3, Linden 0
The Star Ledger
Nicole Saitta, Alex Schlobohm and Lisa Caprara each registered a goal to help New Providence (11-0-1) remain undefeated in New Providence. Erin Fay had an assist and Jill Ashinsky stopped six shots for her ninth shutout. Alaina Catananzi had 11 saves for Linden (4-9).
Player GoalsAssists
Lisa Caprara 1
Erin Fay 1
Nicole Saitta 1
Alex Schlobohm 1 1
GoalkeeperSaves
Jill Ashinsky 6
Alaina Catananzi 11
Game 13 - October 20, 2011
UCT Semi Finals
New Providence 1, Summit 2
The Star Ledger
Kelly Osmulski scored in the 20th minute and Kate Martino made it 2-0 for Summit (8-3-2) with a 30-yard direct kick in the 49th in a Union County Tournament quarterfinal match at Lieder Field in New Providence. Ffith-seeded Summit will take on top-seeded Westfield (10-2) in the UCT semifinals on Sunday at 7 p.m. at Kean University in Union. New Providence (11-1-1) cut into Summit's lead in the 59th when Alex Schlobohm made a singular effort in the left corner and drilled a 10-yarder into the upper right corner. Both keepers, Summit's Jackie Zalis and New Providence's Jill Ashinsky, finished with four saves.
Pennsville's Chelsea Abhau (15) is marked by New Providence's Jenna Madden in last year's NJSIAA Group 1 state final.
Season Preview - Group 1
New Providence Patch - September 6, 2011
by Dave Turner
Girls' Soccer Season Preview
Team Is Ready To Defend Title
With many core players returning this year, the Lady Pioneers should be in for another big season. At the beginning of last season, no one picked the New Providence girls' soccer team to win the Group I State Title, but they did exactly that.
Now, with much of that team returning, the Lady Pioneers have their eyes set at a return trip to the final. The road back won't be easy, but this veteran team now knows what it takes to get to the title game and will certainly be a factor yet again in the Group I playoffs.
Brigette Mullins scored her first goal of the season to get New Providence (12-1-1) on the board in the 22nd minute in Rahway. Olivia Arent and Erin Fay also scored for New Providence and Jill Ashinsky garnered her 10th shutout with four saves. Katrina Plowman made 10 saves for Rahway (6-8).
Player GoalsAssists
Olivia Arent 1 1
Erin Fay 1
Brigette Mullins 1
GoalkeeperSaves
Jill Ashinsky 4
Katrina Plowman 10
The Star Ledger - September 08, 2011
by Gregg Lerner
Girls soccer season preview
Picking the Group Favorites
GROUP 1
FAVORITE: The combination of nine returning starters and some freshmen who bear watching gives New Providence reason to be excited about the chance to successfully defend its state championship. Junior striker Alex Schlobohm can bury a shot as well as set one up (14 goals, 12 assists) and senior midfielder Emma Culleton operates with similar offensive balance (9, 9). Keeper Jill Ashinsky (14 shutouts) and defender Nicole Saitta are a pair of seniors who will take charge in the back along with junior Emma Culleton, a blanketing marker.
CONTENDERS: Glen Ridge, Cresskill, Emerson, Whippany Park, New Egypt, Point Pleasant Beach, Metuchen, Schalick, Glassboro, Haddon Township.
DARK HORSES: Saddle Brook, Pennsville, Audubon.
GROUP 1
1-New Providence (3-0)
2-Cresskill (4-0)
3-Glen Ridge (4-1)
4-Metuchen (4-0)
5-Glassboro (3-1)
6-Pompton Lakes (3-0-1)
7-Cedar Creek (3-1)
8-Emerson (4-0)
9-Park Ridge (3-1)
10-Brearley (2-1)
UNION COUNTY
1-Westfield (3-0)
2-Scotch Plains-Fanwood (2-2)
3-New Providence (3-0)
4-Gov. Livingston (4-0)
5-Union Catholic (3-1)
6-Oak Knoll (1-2)
7-Kent Place (3-0)
8-Cranford (1-1)
9-Union (1-3)
10-Brearley (2-1)
The Star-Ledger Girls Soccer Statewide Rankings
for the Week of September 21
The Star-Ledger Girls Soccer Statewide Rankings
for the Week of September 28
UNION COUNTY
1-Westfield (5-1)
2-Scotch Plains-Fanwood (4-2-1)
3-Gov. Livingston (6-0-1)
4-New Providence (6-0-1)
5-Cranford (2-1-1)
6-Union (2-4)
7-Summit (2-3)
8-Kent Place (4-1)
9-Oak Knoll (3-3)
10-Union Catholic (5-2)
GROUP 1
1-New Providence (6-0-1)
2-Metuchen (6-0)
3-Glen Ridge (5-2)
4-Glassboro (6-1)
5-Cresskill (5-1)
6-Emerson (6-1)
7-Waldwick (5-1)
8-Pennsville (5-2)
9-Haddon Twp. (4-2)
10-Pompton Lakes (5-1-1)
.
NEWPROVIDENCEPATCH - September 29, 2011
Lady Pioneers Climb to Top Rank in Group 1 Girls Soccer
By Patch Reports
After seven games this season, the Pioneers are off to an undefeated start at 6-0-1, earning them the top spot in Group 1, and placing them within the top five in Union County overall.
Coming off a season in which the New Providence Girls Soccer team won the Group 1 State Championship with nine returning starters the Lady Pioneers have every reason to believe they can repeat as champions.
The road will be a bit challenging for them as Coach Scott Murphy tries to find ways to replace the graduation of Gina Caprara's 20 goals on offense and the anchor of the defense in Allie Boyle; both of whom played huge roles for the team's success of a year ago.
After seven games this season, the Pioneers are off to an undefeated start at 6-0-1, earning them the top spot in Group 1, and placing them within the top five in Union County overall.
With a balanced attack led by junior Alex Schlobohm's five goals, the team has received timley scoring from fellow junior Kelly Carroll, along with freshmen Erin Fay and Lisa Caprara. Schlobohm has been electric with her extraordinary combination of speed and finesse while Carroll's presence in the penalty area and scoring knack on set pieces has provided space for the attacking wizardry of Fay and Caprara to capitalize upon.
The midfield is cemented with senior captain Emma Culleton whose rugged play in the middle has provided stability at both ends of the field. Recently announcing her intent to attend The College of New Jersey next fall, it is Culleton's relentless work ethic and leadership that has held the midfield together the past two seasons.
Senior captains Stephanie Perini and Tori Crisafi have combined with Culleton along with sophomores Anna Crisafi and Ashley Evangelos to form a swarming wave of five that have given opponents fits through the first seven games.
Coach Murphy looks for this formation to continue to change and adapt to the opponent and situation, but likes the way that Perini and Crisafi have been able to take advantage of the flanks to support the attack, while Evangelos joined the scoring parade recently against Rahway with a couple of scoring strikes from distance.
In the back, the Lady Pioneers are led by Senior Nicole Saitta, who returned recently to action after missing the previous four games due to injury. Saitta plays in integral role in maintaining the back four fortress in front of senior goalkeeper Jill Ashinsky, with Crisafi filling in admirably in her absence. Junior Jenna Madden returns as a tough and artful defender willing to join the attack while sophomore Casey Trezza holds down the other outside back position. Freshman Paige Kovacs has emerged as yet another up-and-coming player to watch.
Through seven games, the stingy defense has yielded just three goals and Ashinsky has registered four shutouts.
If this past week was any indication of the team's will to repeat, or overcome injury, they certainly passed both tests. With a tough schedule including back-to-back games on the road against Kent Place and Cranford, they returned home Saturday with a victory against rival AL Johnson to register two victories and a tie to remain unbeaten. All this while playing without their rock in the back in Saitta. Getting premium efforts in relief from Brigette Mullins, Olivia Arent, Ally Hartenstein, Paige and Brooke Carleen along with Hannah and Lucy Lavine have helped reduce the work load and have allowed the team to remain fresh on the field while maintaining the run of play.
The Lady Pioneers will continue working toward another championship, but the road only gets tougher as they face Brearley, Union Catholic and Scotch Plains over the coming weeks. They will need to continue to demonstrate the solid team play which has bolstered their confidence throughout the season thus far and will need to rely upon the balanced scoring and contributions of many. With so many veteran sources of leadership, they will continue to bring along and nurture young teammates who will play larger roles as the season wears on. This group of young ladies have epitomized the words "team," "teammate" and "teamwork."
Their first night games are scheduled for Oct. 4th vs. Elizabeth and Nov. 3 vs. Union Catholic as they prepare for another state tournament run.
NewProvidencePatch - October 5, 2011
Athletes Of The Week - Alexandra Schlobohm
by Caitlin Mahon
As repeat Athletes of the Week, Schlobohm is a key offender for the girls' soccer team.
Don’t let her 5’0 ½ frame fool you — Alex Schlobohm is an effective competitor on the field for the New Providence Girls’ Varsity Soccer Team.
In recent games, Schlobohm, a junior who plays outside/center midfield and forward, has either scored or had an assist against each opponent. Against Kent Place on Sept. 20, Schlobohm had the assist on the only goal scored and the team won 1-0. The following day against Cranford, Schlobohm scored the only goal in the tied game that went into overtime.
“We went into overtime and no one scored. It counts as a tie. We are undefeated. It sucks to have the one tie, but we have one tie and the rest are wins,” Schlobohm told Patch last week. “[The Cranford players] were pretty physical. They have some really good players on that team. I think we could have played a little bit better and the goal they scored was kind of just a mishap between our goalie and our defense. It definitely could have been prevented.”
Against A.L. Johnson later that week, Schlobohm’s success on the field continued.
“I scored the goal, but really it was Kelly Carroll’s goal,” she said. “She worked really hard to get it there and I just kind of tapped the ball into the net. They were pretty physical as well.”
When Patch spoke with Schlobohm last week, she expected to have a win over Rahway and a tough game against Brearley. But when all was said and done, Schlobohm was able to assist the team in shutting out both teams. Against Rahway, where the Pioneers won 5-0, Schlobohm had an assist on one of the goals. She also had an assist against Brearley, where the Pioneers won 2-0.
This season, Schlobohm said the team dynamic has changed a little bit after losing two seniors to graduation.
“We had two freshmen that were added to the team that both get in. Erin Fay is one and Lisa Caprara, who is Gina’s little sister. Gina graduated last year. She was a big part of our team,” Schlobohm said. “I think it’s taken a few games, but I think from now on, we’ll just be progressing because I think this year, we have enough talented players to really go far and do really well, as long as we get organized and figure out each other’s strengths and weaknesses.”
The team does have the talent to go far, with most of last year’s Group I State Championship team members returning this season. Schlobohm said she is focused on repeating a Group I win this year.
During the high school soccer off-season, Schlobohm can be found competing on the varsity spring track team and with an elite club soccer team. Without an actual off-season, Schlobohm said she does get burnt out sometimes. But, she said she’s used to it.
“When I’m hurt, I almost get depressed if I’m not working out so much,” she said. “It’s weird if I’m not playing.”
In the future, Schlobohm has her sights set on playing soccer in college and majoring in business or finance.
After visiting with college camps over the summer, she said she’s narrowed down the colleges she’s considering attending in 2013.
“I guess my top choice would be Miami. I like the south a lot; I like Miami, I like Clemson, but I am going to visit Boston schools like Northeastern and BU,” she said. “I’m definitely going to a school that will offer me money. That will probably happen within the next few months. Right now is important. Soccer-wise, I’m pretty much done; they’ve seen all that they have to see, so it’s all based on if they like me and my grades, and visiting to see how I fit in with the schools.”
And while this is an important time for Schlobohm, she said one perk will be knowing where she’ll attend college a year before most students.
“That’s always a plus I think for me,” she said. “Giving up so much time to do so much work for soccer and everything, I get to know a year earlier.”
Siblings: Caroline (13) and Rachel (20)
Nickname: "They call me 'Schlobes.'"
Pet: A dog named Brodie
Favorite subject: Math
Favorite movie: The Breakfast Club
Favorite food: My dad’s pizza
Favorite TV show: Glee
Favorite New Providence hangout: Brenna’s house
Favorite athlete: Alex Morgan, #13 on the National Women’s Soccer Team
Something no one knows about me: My favorite place is the beach.
My biggest fans, biggest influences: My older sister
Song that pumps me up before a game: “Drop the world” by Little Wayne
Game philosophy: “Hope for the best, expect the worst.”
Coach Scott Murphy always tell me: “Work hard.”
What I am doing well this season: "Attacking the net, getting forward and creating opportunities."
Favorite moment with the team: Winning the State Championship last year.
During the off-season: Playing club soccer and running
In ten years, I’ll be: working in Finance
My teammates in three words: Supportive, funny and reliable
My coach in three words: Quiet, smart and encouraging
Up Next: Away game at Union Catholic on Thursday, Oct. 6
Congratulations, Alex
About this column: Each week, with the help of coaches at the New Providence High School and Athletic Director Rob Harmer, Patch will feature the most outstanding male and female athletes of the week.
The Star-Ledger Girls Soccer Statewide Rankings
for the Week of October 5
UNION COUNTY
1-Westfield (6-1)
2-Scotch Plains-Fanwood (6-2-1)
3-Gov. Livingston (8-0-1)
4-New Providence (7-0-1)
5-Cranford (2-4-1)
6-Union (2-5-1)
7-Summit (4-3-1)
8-Oak Knoll (6-3)
9-Kent Place (6-2)
10-Dayton (5-2)
GROUP 1
1-New Providence (7-0-1)
2-Metuchen (9-0)
3-Glen Ridge (6-2)
4-Glassboro (8-1)
5-Pompton Lakes (6-1-2)
6-Schalick (8-2)
7-Haddon Twp. (6-2)
8-Emerson (7-2)
9-Cresskill (6-2)
10-Pennsville (6-2).
The Star Ledger - October 7, 2011
Westfield, Scotch Plains are favorites,
but upset seeds are sown for Union County Tournament
by Rich Bevensee
Westfield, No. 15 in The Star-Ledger Top 20, and defending champion Scotch Plains-Fanwood were unanimous selections on Thursday to receive the top two seeds for the 31st Union County Tournament. Westfield (8-1) and Scotch Plains (7-2-2) were joined by Gov. Livingston (8-1-1) and New Providence (9-0-1) as the top four seeds, which receive byes straight into the quarterfinals.
Westfield is the winningest program in the history of the UCT with 18 titles. Scotch Plains has won the UCT championship five of the last six years, including last year's 2-0 victory over Westfield
You may be thinking, here we go, another year with the same faces in the final. But hang on a second. Is there an upset brewing for the 31st Union County Tournament?
Maybe, maybe not.
Sure, Westfield and Scotch Plains have the reputations they do because they win every year. Scotch Plains is more the Johnny-Come-Lately in that regard, because while Westfield has been winning since the UCT inception in 1981, Scotch Plains won its first title in 2005.
These two powers have met three times in the finals in the last five years, with Scotch Plains going 2-0-1 in the rivalry.
How can it be an upset when the 3 or 4 seed beats a 1 or 2 seed? Well, in most cases it's not, unless you've beaten a team which has won as much as Westfield and Scotch Plains.
What any team needs to break down a defense like Westfield or Scotch Plains is scoring, and Gov. Livingston and New Providence both have a legitimate scorer.
Gov. Livingston hasn't basked in the UCT spotlight since 2004, but with a polished senior striker like Jessica Jankowski at the top of the attack, it is a very realistic possibility that coach Mike Roof's squad can certainly reach the finale.
Heck, there was an argument to be made that Gov. Livingston could have earned the 2 seed, since the Berkeley Heights team tied Scotch Plains, 2-2, last month, and yielded only a single goal in bowing to Westfield.
As for New Providence, there's a super-fast young lady named Alex Schlobohm (pronounced SCHLO-bom; sorry I've been saying it wrong, Alex) who can move with the ball as fast as some players without it. If you need proof, here's a YouTube video of her making Belvidere defenders look silly in the Group 1 semifinals last season.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjyRZOYMLgM
Another reason to believe this may be the year of the upset is that these great teams are known more for their rock-solid defense and have used opportunistic scoring to beat the opposition. There is not a single girl on either of the top two seeded teams who is a specialist at putting the ball in the back of the net. The offense has been spread out for both programs.
What Gov. Livingston and New Providence have in common is that, when defense becomes even more critical and relied-upon in the late stages of the tournament, it's nice to know there's one player they have who won't shy away from the challenge.
Am I saying it's gonna happen? Not me, just saying it could. That's why they're called upsets, they don't happen very frequently but the chance is always there. Back in 2004, a freshman named Taylor Wilson pushed eighth-seeded Rahway past top-seeded Scotch Plains in the quaterfinals of the UCT in double overtime on a chilly day at Roselle Catholic. Wilson went on to become the 2007 Union County Player of the Year. Wilson, now a senior at Seton Hall, was recently named the Division 1 Player of the Week.
With that all said, let's bang out the details of the 2011 UCT.
The balance of the bracket was filled out by 5-Summit, 6-Cranford, 7-Union, 8-Oak Knoll, 9-Kent Place, 10-Dayton, 11-Johnson, 12-Brearley, 13-Union Catholic, 14-Rahway, 15-Elizabeth, 16-Linden, 17-Roselle Park, 18-Hillside, 19-Roselle Catholic, 20-Benedictine and 21-Plainfield.
Here's what the bracket looks like. Keep checking for updates:
The tournament opens with five play-in games, which must be contested by Tuesday at the site of the higher seeded team: 21-Plainfield at 12-Brearley, 20-Benedictine at 13-Union Catholic, 19-Roselle Catholic at 14-Rahway, 18-Hillside at 15-Elizabeth, and 17-Roselle Park at 16-Linden.
The first round will be played Oct. 13. The matchups are: Linden-Roselle Park winner at Kent Place; the Brearley-Plainfield winner vs. the Union Catholic-Benedictine winner; Rahway-Roselle Catholic winner at Johnson; and the Elizabeth-Hillside winner at Dayton.
While Westfield, Scotch Plains, Gov. Livingston and New Providence earned a double bye into the quarters, Summit, Cranford, Union and Oak Knoll earned a bye into the second round and will host matches on Oct 15.
The quarterfinals are scheduled for Oct. 19 at the site of the higher seeded team. The semifinals are Sunday, Oct. 23 at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. and the championship will be played on Saturday, Oct. 29 at 7:30 p.m. Both semifinals and finals will be hosted by Kean University in Union.
Talented scorer Alex Schlobohm (13) of New Providence, here getting a grip on Pennsville's Abigail Nickle in the 2010 Group 1 state final, may be the key to her team's success in the 2011 Union County Tournament. Photo by Aristide Economopoulos/The Star-Ledger
The Star-Ledger Girls Soccer Statewide Rankings
for the Week of October 12
UNION COUNTY
1-Westfield (9-1)
2-Scotch Plains (7-2-2)
3-Gov. Livingston (9-1-1)
4-New Providence (9-0-1)
5-Cranford (2-5-2)
6-Summit (5-3-2)
7-Union (2-6-2)
8-Oak Knoll (7-3)
9-Kent Place (8-2)
10-Dayton (6-3)
GROUP 1
1-New Providence (9-0-1)
2-Metuchen (12-0)
3-Glen Ridge (7-2-1)
4-Glassboro (9-2-1)
5-Pompton Lakes (8-2-2)
6-Schalick (9-2)
7-Haddon Township (10-2)
8-Emerson (9-3)
9-Cresskill (8-3)
10-Pennsville (8-2).
NewProvidence Patch - October 14, 2011
Lady Pioneers Remain Undefeated
After Win Over Oak Knoll
by Patch Reports
New Providence varsity girls' soccer team came back from two goals down to score three unanswered, the last in overtime, to secure a 4-3 victory.
If yesterday’s New Providence girls' varsity soccer game served a purpose, it would have been to help prepare the Lady Pioneers for the tournament road that begins next week.
Alex Schlobohm, the team’s leading scorer, buried a volley from 18 yards out in the seventh minute of overtime as the Lady Pioneers (10-0-1) remained unbeaten with a thrilling 4-3 victory against a tough and relentless Oak Knoll team yesterday in Chatham.
The Lady Pioneers entered the game against a team bent on avenging a 2-0 defeat at the hands of New Providence earlier this season. From the early minutes, it was clear that Oak Knoll was fired up, as they took an early 1-0 lead on a goal by Ginny Whitman within the opening minutes of the game. It marked the first time that New Providence had not led in a game this season.
Kelly Carroll knotted the game at 1-1 with a brilliant strike at the 20-minute mark. Carroll, a junior, collected a loose ball and spun 180 degrees as she released a rocket from outside the penalty area, which found the upper corner as she fell to the ground for her fourth goal of the season.
The joy was short-lived however as Oak Knoll regained the lead with goals by Lizzie Armstrong and Emma D’Arpino within a 3-minute span. The Pioneers were stunned and suddenly found themselves in a 3-1 hole.
Oak Knoll continued its physical play as New Providence made its advances in the attack zone. Goalkeeper Diedre Walsh came up big on several occasions, including a spectacular save to parry Schlobohm’s blast just over the bar in the 30th minute. But Captain Emma Culleton converted a penalty kick given from the ensuing corner to bring New Providence back to 3-2 as the teams entered halftime.
No one knows for sure what words of wisdom Pioneers’ Coach Scott Murphy offered during the break, but whatever the message was, the Pioneers came out flying in the second half, but they also tightened up their backline. Culleton hammered a shot from 15 yards, which Walsh dove to stop, but Anna Crisafi flew in from the right side to bury the rebound just inside the left post to pull New Providence level.
Both teams would have their chances but Walsh and Pioneer keeper Jill Ashinsky kept the score at 3-3, turning away 9 shots apiece. Tori Crisafi was relentless in keeping the Pioneers’ defense together as Oak Knoll stormed the attack zone during the final 10 minutes looking for a game winner.
Jenna Madden and Paige Kovacs clamped down and cleared the zone effectively. Oak Knoll failed to capitalize on a number of free kicks, Nicole Saitta and Ashley Evangelos were key to blocking shot attempts as the skies continued to darken and regulation time waned.
Entering overtime, the Pioneers nearly won it within 30 seconds, but Walsh made a diving stop on Anna Crisafi’s strike from just beyond the penalty spot, to deflect the ball past the post. But the Pioneers continued to press and ended the game in the seventh minute of extra time.
Schlobohm collected a ball played down the left side beating Walsh, who had charged well out of her goal and played it into Carroll whose shot toward the open net was blocked by an Oak Knoll defender. The ball deflected out of the box to Schlobohm, who fired a one-timer toward the far corner as Walsh dove frantically to her left. But ball found the back of the net, setting off a celebration and sigh of relief for the Pioneers.
Good teams find ways to win despite not having their "A" game. Being able to come back from two goals down to score three unanswered to close out the match, should provide a level of momentum to carry into the coming week.
New Providence will Linden on Monday before preparing for Summit in a quarterfinal showdown of the Union County tournament with the Hilltoppers on Wednesday at Lieder Field. Summit will look to avenge a 3-2 defeat at the hands of the Lady Pioneers in last season’s UCT.
Photo Credit Caitlin Mahon
The Star Ledger - October 19, 2011
This week in Union County girls soccer
by Rich Bevensee
TEAMS TO WATCH
The most evenly matched quarterfinal in the Union County Tournament Wednesday is probably the game between fourth-seeded New Providence (11-0-1) and fifth-seeded Summit (7-3-2).
Summit, which started the season 1-3, comes into the game on a hot streak, going 6-0-2 over its last eight matches with 17 goals scored against only two goals allowed. In its last eight matches, New Providence is 7-0-1 with 25 goals scored and four goals surrendered.
They have not met this season but clashed in the exact same stage of the tournament last season, with New Providence claiming a 3-2 victory.
MATCHES TO WATCH
Wednesday’s schedule for the Union County Tournament quarterfinals: Kent Place at Westfield at 4 p.m. at Kehler Stadium; seventh-seeded Union (3-7-2) at second-seeded Scotch Plains-Fanwood (9-2-2) at 2 p.m.; sixth-seeded Cranford (3-6-2) at third-seeded Gov. Livingston (10-2-1) at 4 p.m. and Summit (7-3-2) at New Providence (11-0-1) at 4 p.m. The semifinals are slated for Sunday at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. at Kean University in Union.
The Star-Ledger Girls Soccer Statewide Rankings
for the Week of October 19
GROUP 1
1-New Providence (11-0-1)
2-Metuchen (13-0)
3-Glen Ridge (9-3-1)
4-Glassboro (11-2-1)
5-Pompton Lakes (8-2-2)
6-Schalick (11-2)
7-Haddon Twp. (13-3)
8-Emerson (9-3-2)
9-Cresskill (9-3)
10-Pennsville (9-3)
UNION COUNTY
1-Scotch Plains (8-2-2)
2-Westfield (9-2)
3-Gov. Livingston (10-1-1)
4-New Providence (11-0-1)
5-Summit (7-3-2)
6-Cranford (3-6-2)
7-Union (3-7-2)
8-Kent Place (9-2-1)
9-Oak Knoll (7-5)
10-Dayton (7-4)
Alex Schlobohm dribbling through the Linden defense.
Stephanie Perini delivering a cross
Nicole Saitta scores in the first half
Jenna Madden dribbling out of danger.
Lisa Caprara converts Erin Fay's cross with the header
Photo Credit - Jim Madden
The Star-Ledger - October 18, 2011
Union County Tournament quarterfinals Westfield, Scotch Plains, Gov. Livingston, New Providence seek Final Four berths
by Rich Bevensee
Too bad we can't all be in four places at once -- sounds like a good suggestion for a superhero power for those athlete of the week questionnaires -- because it's time for the quarterfinal round of the 31st Union County Tournament.
All four matches figure to be pretty good contests. One quarterfinal is a rematch of last season at this same stage. One match features the county's one remaining undefeated squad. And in a slightly surprising twist, one game has two squads butting heads with absolutely no history between them.
Gaining a third straight semifinal berth won't be easy for New Providence, which will battle Summit in what may be the most hotly contested quarterfinal. The New Providence offense -- which has scored 38 goals in 12 matches -- is powered by a host of girls, chiefly Alex Schlobohm (eight goals). The defense isn't too shabby, either, with nine shutouts and only five goals surrendered. These teams met in the quarters last year, with New Providence earning a 3-2 victory.
Summit, which started the season 1-3, comes into the game on a hot streak, going 6-0-2 over its last eight matches with 17 goals scored against only two goals allowed. For the second straight season, senior center mid Kate Martino (eight goals, four assists) is the team's orchestrator. Summit is aiming for its first semifinal berth since 2007. Summit was part of one of the most exciting UCT matches in my 13-year tenure at The Star-Ledger. The 2002 Summit team, which featured Jana Lee, Beth Dickey and Shante Cofield, took No. 14 Westfield to a second round of sudden death penalty kicks before bowing, 4-3.
The Star-Ledger Girls Soccer Statewide Rankings
for the Week of October 25
UNION COUNTY
1-Scotch Plains (12-2-2)
2-Westfield (12-2-1)
3-Summit (8-5-3)
4-Gov. Livingston (11-3-1)
5-Union (4-8-2)
6-New Providence (11-1-1)
7-Cranford (4-8-2)
8-Kent Place (10-3-1)
9-Oak Knoll (9-4-1)
10-Dayton (9-5)
GROUP 1
1-New Providence (11-1-1)
2-Metuchen (13-0-1)
3-Glen Ridge (9-4-1)
4-Pompton Lakes (11-2-2)
5-Schalick (12-2-2)
6-Glassboro (13-3-1)
7-Emerson (11-3-2)
8-Haddon Twp. (13-5)
9-Belvidere (13-3-1)
10-New Egypt (12-5)
Game 15 - October 28, 2011
New Providence 7, Elizabeth 0
The Star Ledger
Erin Fay scored three times to propel New Providence in Elizabeth. Alex Schlobohm paced the offense with two goals and two assists, Olivia Arent and Kelly Carroll each scored once, while Stephanie Perini chipped in with two assists and a save for New Providence (13-1-1).
The Star-Ledger Girls Soccer Final Statewide Rankings
UNION COUNTY
1-Scotch Plains (16-2-4)
2-Westfield (14-4-1)
3-Gov. Livingston (14-4-2)
4-Summit (11-6-4)
5-New Providence (18-1-1)
6-Oak Knoll (13-4-2)
7-Union (5-10-3)
8-Union Catholic (10-8-1)
9-Kent Place (13-4-1)
10-Dayton (12-7)
GROUP 1
1-New Providence (18-1-1)
2-Glen Ridge (12-7-1)
3-Verona (14-9)
4-Belvidere (15-5-1)
5-Haddon Twp. (19-6)
6-Pompton Lakes (13-3-2)
7-New Egypt (16-7-1)
8-Metuchen (15-1-2)
9-Schalick (16-3-2)
10-Pennsville (14-4-1)
The Star Ledger - December 18, 2011
Girls Soccer
Union County season in review, 2011
by Rich Bevensee
Hail to the champs: For the first time in its history, two Union County programs earned state titles in the same season. First, Oak Knoll, coached by Martyn Rushmore, trucked through the Non-Public B bracket and defeated Mater Dei, 5-0, for its first state title and a 13-4-2 record. Four days later, New Providence, coached by Scott Murphy, trounced Haddon Township, 4-0, for its second straight Group 1 crown.
Scoring title: For the first time in county history, a young lady from Kent Place emerged as the season leader in goals scored. Junior Anna Doherty paced Union County with a school-record 23 goals to go along with her nine assists. It was the highest output for a Kent Place player since Miriam Habeeb collected 22 goals in her senior season of 1999. Habeeb went on to play for Lafayette.
One of the biggest and most pleasant surprises in the county was that Brearley senior Krissy Pinho was No. 2 on the scoring list with 20 goals. Just last season, Pinho handled the goalkeeping for Brearley and ranked fifth in the county with a 0.80 goals-against average.
Rounding out the top five scorers in the county were Rahway senior Angie Lopez with 19 goals and Gov. Livingston senior Jessica Jankowski and New Providence junior Alex Schlobohm with 17 goals each.
Solid as a rock: The top defensive squads were Scotch Plains (.409 goals-against average), New Providence (.450) and Westfield (.474), each with only nine goals allowed this season. Scotch Plains and New Providence both had 15 shutouts, and Kent Place (.611, 11 goals) tied Westfield with 12 shutouts.
Timing is everything: New Providence sophomore Casey Trezza has struck again. Last year, she scored her first career goal in the Group 1 state championship match against Pennsville with 1:41 left in regulation to give her team a 1-0 victory. This fall, Trezza scored her second career goal in the Group 1 final, but this time her goal was her team’s first in a 4-0 victory over Haddon Township. That’s two goals, both game-winners in state finals.
