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Game 3 - September 11, 2014

New Providence 3, Elizabeth 2

The Courier News

Lisa Caprara netted two goals and Lexi Everton tallied a goal to lead New Providence (3-0). Jen Maluso stopped eight shots for the Pioneers.

The Star Ledger

Player

Lisa Caprara 2 Goals

Lexi Everton 1 Goal

Megan Mahlstadt 1 Assist

Jen Maluso 8 Saves

Shots on Goal 21

The Alternative Press

September 11, 2014

Everton Leads New Providence Girls' Soccer Past Elizabeth

by Tim LeCras

NEW PROVIDENCE, NJ – Lisa Caprara stood on Lieder Field with a distraught look on her face. After having more scoring opportunities than one could count on Thursday, New Providence's girls' soccer players found themselves locked in a battle with Elizabeth in overtime.

The Pioneers never led in the game, but many, including Caprara, thought the game shouldn’t have even been close, let alone an overtime thriller. The girls hit multiple posts, crossbars and the outstretched hands of Elizabeth’s goalkeeper Victoria Antunes that prevented New Providence from celebration.

It wasn’t until the early minutes of the second overtime, following a grueling opening session that saw countless missed opportunities that the Pioneers could finally relax.

Less than two minutes into the sudden death period, Lexi Everton converted a game-winning header off a Megan Mahlstadt corner kick to give New Providence the stunning 3-2 victory.

“As the game went on, I thought at least one of those would go, which would have relaxed us and maybe two or three would have gone afterwards,” New Providence head coach Scott Murphy said. “Their goalie made some good saves and the post helped them out. I told them this is one of those games that you may never be a part of again and end of winning.”

Despite dominating time of possession and scoring opportunities in the first half, the Pioneers saw themselves trailing Elizabeth 2-0 less than a minute into the second half as the Minutemen capitalized on two defensive mistakes to take the lead.

This was all Caprara needed to see. As soon as the ball kicked off following Elizabeth’s second goal, the senior took it upon herself to pull her team back into the game.

“We know we were the better team,” Caprara said. “When our heads were down at 2-0, I started yelling and picking our heads up. I let them realize what we can do on the field. I wasn’t letting Elizabeth beat us.”

Not 30 seconds after failing behind by two, Caprara cut the deficit to one on a floater from 18 yards out that just snuck into the upper right corner of the goal.

27 minutes later, after a multitude of missed chances, Caprara tied the game at two, which eventually led to Everton’s overtime winner.

“She puts herself in the right position,” Murphy said of his leading scorer. “With her, she gets the mindset of ‘I want to score’ and she puts herself in the position to score. The last two games she’s had five goals. That’s her, she can score.”

There wasn’t much for Murphy to say to his team following the overtime thriller. More than likely, the Pioneers will not play a game like this again for the rest of the season. After all, what are the chances of hitting more than one post in a game? Don’t know, just ask Caprara who hit two on her own.

“Its one of those games, a conference game, a big morale booster to play that way, get so unlucky and still get the win,” Murphy said.

In a game where the Pioneers were so unlucky, the end result just happened to be a little bit of luck.

Game 5 - September 16, 2014

New Providence 2, Cranford 1

The Courier News

Brielle Carleen scored on a one-timer from the top of the 18 midway through the second overtime to lift New Providence to the UCC victory. Lisa Caprara also scored for the Pioneers (5-0), while Jen Maluso made 10 saves.

The Star Ledger

Brielle Carleen scored a goal in double overtime to help New Providence earn a 2-1 thrilling victory over Cranford in New Providence, keeping the team unbeaten at 5-0 on the season.

Lisa Caprara contributed the team's first goal of the game, with goalkeeper Jen Malusa making 10 saves in net.

Player

Lisa Caprara 1 Goal

Brielle Carleen 1

Jen Maluso 10 Saves

The Alternative Press

Defender Scores in 2OT to Lead Pioneers Past Cranford

NEW PROVIDENCE, NJ – Girls’ soccer defenseman Brielle Carleen scored in double-overtime to lead the Pioneers to their second extra-session victory in the past week, defeating Cranford, 2-1, at Lieder Field.

New Providence remain undefeated following Carleen’s first goal of the season. Senior midfielder Lisa Caprara scored her team-leading eighth goal of the season earlier in the game.

Goalkeeper Jen Maluso is now 5-0 following her 10-save performance.

The Pioneers are back in action on Thursday when they visit Linden at 4 p.m.

Game 8 - September 23, 2014

New Providence 2, Summit 1

The Courier News

Lexi Everton scored off a cross from Lisa Caprara with 4:26 remaining in the second overtime to lift New Providence. Maggie Roughley scored a first-half goal to give the Pioneers (7-1) the lead, before the Hilltoppers found the second-half equalizer. Jen Maluso made seven saves in the victory.

The Star Ledger

Player

Lisa Caprara 1 Assist

Lexi Everton 1 Goal

Maggie Roughley 1 Goal

Jen Maluso 11 Saves

Shots on Goal 8

The Alternative Press

Everton Scores in 2OT to Send Pioneers Past Summit, 2-1

NEW PROVIDENCE, NJ – For the second time this season, Lexi Everton scored in double overtime to give the Pioneers a late victory.

On Tuesday, Summit was Everton’s victim. With the score tied, 1-1, midway through the second overtime period, New Providence senior Lisa Caprara sent a cross to a waiting Everton who put the ball past the Hilltopper keeper for the victory.

It was Everton’s third goal of the season and the second game-winner for the New Providence junior.

Jen Meluso made seven saves for her seventh victory of the season, while Maggie Roughley scored New Providence’s first goal of the game.

Summit’s Brynn Johnson recorded the only Hilltopper goal.

The Pioneers have the next week off before hosting Union on Sept. 30 at Lieder Field.

Game 10 - October 7, 2014

New Providence 0, SPF 3

The Courier News

Corina Checcio, Caroline Babis and Tori Baliatico all scored goals to send Scotch Plains-Fanwood. Andrea Leitner made seven saves for the Raiders (9-0-1). Jen Maluso stopped nine shots for New Providence (7-3).

The Star Ledger

Players

Jen Maluso 9 saves

Shots on Goal 7

The Alternative Press

Credits: Guy Kipp/TAPinto.net

SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ - The Scotch Plains-Fanwood varsity girls soccer team kept its undefeated record intact with a 3-0 victory over New Providence on Tuesday afternoon.

Coming off a scoreless tie against Union, SPF (9-0-1) posted its eighth shutout of the season against New Providence (7-3), which was shut out for the second time this season. Goalie Andrea Leitner made seven saves for the shutout.

The Raiders scored once in the opening half and added two more goals after intermission. Caroline Babis, Corina Checchio and Tori Baliatico each scored a goal. For Baliatico, it was her team-high 11th goal of the season. Scotch Plains-Fanwood assists came from sophomore Sophie Brause, Jodie Cornwell and Jackie Fahrenholz. Cornwell leads the Raiders this season with six assists.

New Providence goalie Jen Maluso stopped nine shots by SPF.

Game 12 - October 11, 2014

New Providence 1, Johnson 2

The Star Ledger

Union County Tournament, First Round - Girls Soccer

Player

Lexi Everton 1 goal

Jen Maluso 2 saves

Shots on Goal 8

The Alternative Press

Two days after the Arthur L. Johnson boys’ soccer team eliminated New Providence from the Union County Tournament, the Crusaders’ girls’ team did the same.

Backed by a two-goal performance from Lauren Beck, the Johnson girls’ soccer team defeated the Pioneers, 2-1, in Saturday’s first round match of the Union County Tournament.

Beck scored a goal in both halves, the second breaking a 1-1 tie to send the Crusaders into a quarterfinal match with Gov. Livingston next weekend.

Lexi Everton scored the lone goal on ALJ goalkeeper Meaghan Gallagher for her fifth notch of the year. Gallagher made eight saves to earn the victory.

Game 14 - October 21, 2014

New Providence 2, GL 3

The Star Ledger

Player

Lexi Everton 1 goal

Erin Fay 1 goal

Megan Mahlstadt 1 assist

Maggie Roughley 1 assist

Jen Maluso 3 saves

Shots on Goal 6

The Courier News

Governor Livingston 3, New Providence 2: Riley Jankowski, Isabella Bjorkeson and Julia Stirpe all scored goals to fuel Governor Livingston (12-4). Erin Fay and Lexi Everton hit for New Providence (9-5).

The Alternative Press

Two Late Goals Propel Gov. Livingston Past New Providence

by Tim LeCras

The Gov. Livingston girls’ soccer team got outworked for most of their match on Thursday against New Providence.

Still, with their backs against the walls, the Highlanders scored twice in the final 15 minutes to beat the Pioneers, 3-2, at Gov. Livingston High School.

“I didn’t really see it from the kids today,” Gov. Livingston head coach Mike Roof said. “We were outworked for long, long stretches today. There’s enough quality here where we can get ourselves back in a positive result, and we did that.”

Facing a one-goal deficit in the final 15 minutes, Julia Stirpe led the Gov. Livingston charge with the game-tying tally in the 65th minute.

A little more than 5 minutes later, Stirpe found the ball again, this team towards the right corner, where she served the ball to a waiting Isabella Bjorkeson, who headed in the game-winner.

After seeing how the clinching goal came to be, Roof hopes to see more movement, both on and off the ball.

“Its moving without the ball, moving into the positive spaces,” Roof said. “We got the ball into a wide, servable area. Isa got separation from her mark. That was a strong cross and she just buried it with her head. You can serve another kid in her place and I don’t know if we finish it. She left no doubt.”

Stirpe and Bjorkeson’s late heroics erased a very strong start for the Pioneers, who controlled the pace for the majority of the game.

After falling down a goal early, Erin Fay and Lexi Everton both scored off one-on-ones with the goalkeeper.

Pioneers head coach Scott Murphy said he wasn’t worried about going down a goal, because they’ve showed they can be resilient all year.

“Because we play some tough teams, we’ve gotten down before and we always talk about how to play with a one-goal lead and a one goal-deficit,” Murphy said. “Its always the same, just keep plugging away and keep trying and hopefully you get the breakthrough. We got that at the end of the half. To get the second one to go up, was great.”

With big games still to come for the Highlanders and Pioneers, both head coaches hope to use this game as a stepping-stone for the future.

Gov. Livingston has a match with Millburn on Thursday as a final tune-up before facing Union in the Union County Tournament semifinal at Arthur L. Johnson High School on Saturday, while New Providence continues their final week of the regular season play on Thursday at Elizabeth.

Season Preview - Group 1

Group 1 teams to watch

August 28, 2014

By Antonio Olivero

NJ Advance Media, for NJ.com

FAVORITE: Back-to-back state champion Glen Ridge returns eight starters, along with a solid 12 returnees who will contribute versus a very difficult schedule. Leading the way on the offensive end for coach Oscar Viteri is junior Tomison Kennedy. Kennedy ranked near the top of the state in goals scored last season, and has a knack to see the game well in the middle of the field.

The two senior leaders for Glen Ridge will be outside midfielder Shannon Marhan and attacking threat Sam Sikkerbol. Through the summer the two seniors have been getting the team together, and Viteri is looking for Marhan to pick up some of the scoring load this season.

Look for Glen Ridge to play a possession game predicated on exposing the opposition’s weaknesses. Viteri’s typical 4-4-2 with an attacking midfielder and holding midfielder is likely to be the main formation, but the coach may play a 3-5-2 some depending on his personnel. Speaking of, in the back Glen Ridge is led by one of the state’s best keepers in junior Ryanne Ege, who has started since her freshman year and directs traffic very well. Along with All-Group defenders Katie Liu and Galen Lew and a bevy of other talented players littered throughout the pitch, Glen Ridge should be the favorite for a three-peat.

CONTENDERS: Shore, Brearley, Metuchen, Pennsville, New Milford

DARK HORSES: Hasbrouck Heights, Dayton, New Egypt, New Providence, Park Ridge

Game 2 - September 8, 2014

New Providence 4, Kearny 3

The Courier News

Lisa Caprera completed her hat trick, snapping a 3-3 tie with 1:15 left in regulation to lift New Providence (2-0). Caprara was assisted by Erin Fay on the game-winner.

The Star Ledger

Player

Lisa Caprara 3 Goals

Erin Fay - 2 Assists

Maggie Roughley 1 Goal and 1 Assists

Jen Maluso 6 Saves

The Alternative Press

September 9, 2014

Hat Trick Leads Lady Pioneers Past Kearny

NEW PROVIDENCE, NJ - Lisa Caprara provided multiple levels of excitement for the Pioneers on Monday.

Many would say a hat trick is exciting enough regardless of when the goals occur, but not for Caprara. The senior forward took over Lieder Field in all aspects, scoring the first three goals of her season, but, more importantly, netting the game winner in the final 75 seconds to propel New Providence to a 4-3 victory over Kearny.

While the game was still in its infant stages, Caprara gave the Pioneers a 1-0 lead with a goal in the ninth minute.

Kearny's Barbara Paiva scored twice in the opening half to give her team a 2-1 lead, before Caprara scored twice more in the final 40 minutes to give New Providence their second straight win to open the season.

Pioneer goalkeeper Jen Maluso made six saves in her second victory of the year.

New Providence is back in action on Thursday when they host Elizabeth at Lieder Field. Kick-off is scheduled for 4 p.m.

Game 13 - October 16, 2014

New Providence 3, Linden 0

The Courier News

Erin Fay, Maggie Roughley and Megan Mahlstadt scored goals, while Lisa Caprara notched two assists to send New Providence. Jen Maluso made three saves to notch the shutout, as the Pioneers improved to 9-4. Ashley Paulino stopped seven shots for Linden (5-9-1)

The Star Ledger

Lisa Caprara 2 assits

Erin Fay 1 goal

Megan Mahlstadt 1 goal

Maggie Roughley 1 gal

Jen Maluso 3

Shots on Goal 8

The Alternative Press

New Providence Girls' Soccer Top Linden 3-0 on Senior Night

by Brett Comminiti

Backed by goals from Erin Fay, Maggie Roughly and Megan Mahlstadt, the New Providence girls’ soccer squad honored their five seniors in the best way possible, with a win.

“It’s always nice to one, win a night game,” head coach Scott Murphy said. “It was doubly nice to also get the win on Senior Night for these girls.”

"It meant a lot to get the win on such a special day for the seniors,” Fay said. “Being with these girls the past four years have been amazing. We are really close and it’s been great leading this team with these girls.”

Fay, along with fellow seniors Sarah Barquero, Lisa Caprara, Paige Kovacs, and Jillian Perini were honored prior to the game for their dedication and massive contribution to the program over the past four fall seasons not only on the field, but also as role models to the younger players on the team.

“They’re great, they go about their business the right way in and out of school,” Murphy said. “Their great role models for our younger kids even outside of soccer.”

After the pre-game festivities commenced, there was still an important game to be played on the field, as the Lady Pioneers seek to end their regular season home campaign on a winning note.

After New Providence started to threaten offensively early on, they were finally able to break through when Fay blasted the ball past the Linden net-minder to give the Lady Pioneers a 1-0 advantage in the 15th minute.

New Providence wasn’t able to collect another tally before the whistle blew to end the half, but their control of the ball both on offense and defense was eminent.

“They were absolutely amazing,” said Fay, referring to the stout defense. “They communicated really well and cleared every ball they needed to.”

Junior Maggie Roughly doubled the Lady Pioneer lead as she pummeled a free kick from 25-yards out in the top right corner of the goal.

With the game basically in hand, Megan Mahlstadt maneuvered around the Rahway defender and put the ball past the goalie to put the Pioneers up by three.

“We tweaked our formation a little bit offensively for this game,” said Murphy. “Teams usually see that Lisa (Caprara, the teams’ leading goal scorer) is our top player, so we were able to throw them off by mixing things up.”

With the victory, the Lady Pioneers improved their record to 9-4, with a huge rivalry game against Gov. Livingston scheduled for Tuesday in Berkeley Heights. Kick-off is scheduled for 4 p.m.

Courier News

Area Girls Soccer Teams at a Glance

September 3, 2014

NEW PROVIDENCE

Coach: Scott Murphy, 12th season

Last year's record: 8-13

Top letterwinners lost: Ashley Evangelos (D), Casey Trezza (M), Anna Crisafi (D).

Returners: Sarah Barquero (Sr., D), Lisa Caprara (Sr., F), Erin Fay (Sr. F), Paige Kovacs (Sr., D), Jill Perini (Sr., D), Nicole Dillon (Jr., M), Lexi Everton (Jr., F), Megan Mahlstadt (Jr., D), Jen Maluso (Jr., GK), Maggie Roughley (Jr., M), Laila Stedman (Jr., M), Alex Zeto (Jr., D), Brielle Carleen (So., D).

Newcomers: Nicole Giacolone (Fr., F), Riley Kinum (Fr., M), Rebecca Pappas (So., D/M), Annie Petrosino (So., M), Kelly Sherman (So., M), Amba Parekh (So., M), Elise Minto (Jr., M).

Outlook: After each of its past two seasons ended on the road to eventual state Group I champion Glen Ridge in the playoffs, one of New Providence’s primary goals is to play well enough during the regular season to earn home games deep into the sectional tournament. That’s been a huge challenge the past two seasons playing with the county’s big guns in UCC’s Watchung Division, but the Pioneers have returned to the Mountain Division this season, and can concentrate on opponents closer to its own size instead of facing Group IV juggernauts like Scotch Plains-Fanwood and Westfield. Murphy feels in order for his team to achieve its goals, it needs to work every day at training to improve, and commit and sacrifice for the team. The offense will be led by Caprara, who is committed to the University of Hartford, and Fay, both four-year varsity performers. Kovacs, who is also a four-year players, will anchor the backline, while Roughley will lead the midfield. Murphy feels Mahlstadt, as well as Giacolone and Kinum, both freshmen, are players to keep an eye on.

The Alternative Press

Thursday, September 4, 2014

Pioneers Girls Soccer Look to 'Earn It' in 2014

by Gerald Lima

NEW PROVIDENCE, NJ - The New Providence girls’ soccer team look to bounce back in their 2014 campaign, one year after losing in the North Jersey 2, Group 1 final.

Despite finishing with an 8-13 record last season, the Pioneers made a strong push for a section championship, defeating top-seeded Brearley early in the state tournament before bowing out to Glen Ridge in the final.

Pioneers head coach Scott Murphy is optimistic entering this season, looking forward to more competition and getting back to the section final.

“We are looking at competing for a conference championship and going forward with that, competing for a sectional championship,” Murphy said. “Hopefully to get back to the sectional final where we have been the last few years.”

The Pioneers look to succeed on the field by changing their formation into a more fast paced, offensive style

“We are changing our formation a little bit,” Murphy said. “Last year we played a 4-4-2, [and] this year we are experimenting with a 4-5-1. I think the personnel that we have presents itself for that.”

The Pioneers had four starters graduate last year that will be missed on and off the field, but this year’s three captains, Paige Kovacs, Erin Fay, and Lisa Caprara, who have played together since their freshman year are very vocal on the field.

“This year I think we have the potential to be really successful if we work hard and focus on each game as it comes,” Fay said. “One of our biggest strengths is our speed and skill up top. We're offensively really strong this year and the formation allows us to take full advantage of that.”

According to Murphy, the Pioneers are focusing on communication from the beginning of the season until the very last game.

“The one thing we are trying to develop this year is everyone communicate to make it easier on everyone else to understand,” Murphy said. “The chemistry is there we just need to tune it with a new formation and a new kind of style of play.”

Fay added, “We are really focusing on communication with ourselves to try to make everyone understand each other better. Our coach has made sure we know what our real competition is, and has given us specific ways we can tackle those teams.”

The Pioneers are starting their own motivation, and it all begins with two words “Earn It”,

“We are focusing a lot on our motto ‘Earn It’ and how we can incorporate it into every aspect of the game, on and off the field,” Fay said. “We are playing in a new formation that we've never done before [and] yes our new formation is working out really well.”

The Pioneers open the season at Summit on Friday. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m.

The Alternative Press

September 17, 2014

New Providence Athlete of the Week: Lisa Caprara

by Tim LeCras

NEW PROVIDENCE, NJ – Not a single New Providence varsity athlete has dominated their respective sport more than girls’ varsity soccer star Lisa Caprara.

The senior midfielder-turned-attacker has scored nine of the Pioneers’ 16 goals thus far this season, four-times the amount of the team’s second leading scorer.

Because of her on-field success, which has led New Providence to an undefeated 5-0 start, TAP into New Providence is pleased to award Lisa Caprara with its’ first Athlete of the Week for the 2014 Fall season.

“I think she puts herself in the right positions,” girls’ soccer head coach Scott Murphy said of Caprara. “We have girls who are very unselfish and very knowledgable of where to put the ball. With her, she gets the mindset of ‘I want to score.’”

She is more than halfway to her 2013 goal total, after leading New Providence with 15 goals last season. So far this year, Caprara tallied a hat trick against Kearny and two goals against JP Stevens and Elizabeth.

The confident scorer believes with the way she has played so far this year, she should have twice the goal total that she does.

“I work hard every day,” Caprara said. “You’ll see more hat tricks in the future. I should have had six goals (in the game against Elizabeth).”

Caprara’s hard work has followed in her sister Gina’s footsteps. The older Caprara graduated from New Providence High School four years ago. She continued her soccer career at The College of New Jersey.

The younger siblings strong finish to her high school career has led multiple NCAA Division 1 programs to her doorstep, including the University of Hartford, where she has verbally committed to play.

“I’m excited,” Lisa said. “I like the whole campus. The coach [John Natale] coached the [2012] U.S. Women’s National Team. He has a gold medal [as the team’s Video Analysis Coach]. I love the coaching staff. There is one girl on the team I’m good friends with. She plays on the Portugal National Team. I’m excited to play with her my freshman year of college.”

Caprara’s undefeated senior season continues on Saturday when the Pioneers visit Oak Knoll for a 10 a.m. match.

Game 6 - September 17, 2014

New Providence 3, Linden 1

The Courier News

Sent from my iPadNew Providence 3, Linden 1: Maggie Roughley scored two goals and Jen Maluso made 11 saves as New Providence improved to 6-0

The Star Ledger

Player

Lisa Caprara 1 goal

Lexi Everton 1 assist

Jillian Perini 1 assist

Maggie Roughley 2 goals

Jen Maluso 11 saves

Shots on Goal 8

The Alternative Press

Strong Opening Half Leads Pioneers Girls Soccer

to Victory Over Linden

September 17, 2014

LINDEN, NJ – The New Providence girls’ soccer team scored three times in the first half as the Pioneers remained undefeated, beating Linden, 3-1.

Maggie Roughley scored twice in the opening half on Wednesday, leading the Pioneers to a 6-0 start to open the season.

Senior midfielder Lisa Caprara scored her team-leading ninth goal of the season, while goalkeeper Jen Maluso made 11 saves for her sixth win of the year.

New Providence is back in action on Saturday when the Pioneers visit Oak Knoll for a 10 a.m. tilt.

The Courier News

October 8, 2014

Union County Tournament Seeds

The 2014 Union County Girls Soccer Tournament was seeded Monday night in a meeting of coaches at Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School and the four-time defending champion Raiders earned the top spot.

The tournament begins Wednesday with the No. 7 through No. 18 seeds in action, with the No. 5 and No. 6 teams set to start play in Saturday's second round.

The Top 4 seeds have a bye into the quarterfinals, which are slated for Oct. 18 at the higher seed, with the semifinals scheduled for Oct. 25 at A.L. Johnson High School and the final set for Nov. 2 at Kean University.

Here are the seeds and matchups:

17-Roselle Catholic at 8-Summit, winner plays team that advances from16-Brearley at 9-Rahway, winner of that game faces 1-Scotch Plains-Fanwood in quarterfinals.

14-Elizabeth at 11-Union Catholic, winner at 6-Cranford, winner at 3-Union in quarterfinals.

18-Roselle Park at 7-New Providence, winner plays team that advances from Wednesday's match of 15-Dayton at 10-A.L. Johnson, winner of that game faces 2-Governor Livingston in quarter finals.

13-Kent Place at 12-Linden, winner at 5-Westfield, winner at 4-Oak Knoll in quarterfinals.

Game 11 - October 9, 2014

New Providence 6, Roselle Park 0

The Courier News

Lisa Caprara scored two goals and Lexi Everton added two assists to send seventh-seeded New Providence (8-3). The Pioneers will face 10th-seeded A.L. Johnson on Saturday.

The Star Ledger

Players

Lisa Caprara 2 goals

Nicole Dillon 1 goal

Lexi Everton - 2 assists

Erin Fay 1 goal

Nicole Giacalone - 1 assist

Riley Kinum 1 goal

Kelly Sherman 1 goal

Jen Maluso 3 saves

Shots on Goal 12

The Alternative Press

NEW PROVIDENCE, NJ - Behind a team leading 11th and 12th goal scored by Hartford-bound star Lisa Caprara, the Lady Pioneers cruised past Roselle Park, 6-0, Thursday afternoon at Lieder field.

The game was all but over after a mere 10 minutes when Caprara netted a pair and senior co-captain Erin Fay cashed in her second goal of the season to give New Providence an early 3-0 advantage over the hapless Panthers.

With a majority of the starters out of the game at that point, the reserves got some valuable experience on the field, as well as converting some key opportunities.

“One of the things we talked about in the locker room was to get on them quickly,” New Providence head coach Scott Murphy said. “We knew coming into the game the rankings [Roselle Park seeded last at No. 18 and New Providence in the No. 7 spot], but we never take anyone lightly.”

With the reserves in the game, some unlikely sources were able to make big contributions to the squad.

Junior Nicole Dillon tapped in a misplay by the Roselle Park net-minder to extend the advantage to 4-0 heading into halftime.

First time scorers got on the books in the second half as sophomore Kelly Sherman and freshman Riley Kinum collected their first varsity tallies, which extended the home sides’ lead to an insurmountable 6-0.

“It’s absolutely huge when we can get players in the game that don’t normally play,” Murphy said. “To be able to give them experience in case we need them off the bench is very important. And it’s also good to see that when Kelly (Sherman) and Riley (Kinum) scored, all of the starters on the bench cheered and that really brings us all together as a team.”

With the dominating 6-0 victory, the Lady Pioneers improve their record to 8-3 on the season, with a Saturday date against Johnson in the official first round of the Union County tournament up next.

“Last year we lost in the opening round to Rahway, so it’s definitely a goal for us to compete with Johnson [No. 10 seed]. If we get past them and face Gov. Livingston in the quarterfinals, anything can happen.”

Kick-off for Saturday’s county match-up against the Crusaders is scheduled for a 2 p.m. start at Lieder Field.

Game 16 - October 25, 2014

New Providence 1, Chatham 0

The Star Ledger

Player

Lexi Everton 1 assist

Erin Fay 1 goal

Jen Maluso 8 saves

Shots on Goal 9

The Courier News

New Providence 1, Chatham 0: Erin Fay scored a first half goal on an assist from Lexi Everton and Jen Maluso made eight saves to lead New Providence (11-5).

The Alternative Press

An apportune day for the New Providence girls’ soccer team.

Playing their third road game in a row, Fay beat Chatham’s goalkeeper in the first half for the game’s only goal, leading the Pioneers to a 1-0 victory over the Cougars.

Lexi Everton was credited with the assist on the goal. New Providence goalkeeper Jen Maluso made eight saves for her 11th victory of the season.

New Providence has two more games left before the state tournament. Their final week of play begins with a Tuesday match at Westfield before finishing the regular season on Thursday at Mount Saint Mary’s Academy.