Old Bridge field hockey still looking for initial win
BY WARREN RAPPLEYEA Staff Writer
Despite playing reasonably well over its first four games, the Old Bridge High School field hockey team is 0-2-2.

At left, East Brunswick's Kristen Trimboli (l) clears the ball from the zone before Old Bridge's Kasey Nugent can make a play during a recent game. At right, Old Bridge's Amber Zimmerlink (l) beats East Brunswick's Amanda Heiberger for a loose ball during the game, which ended in 2-2 tie.

"It's been very frustrating to be in every game and have just two ties to show for it," Lady Knights coach Rose Daganya said. "One of the reasons is that we've struggled to play a full 60 minutes. We've had some breakdowns, and they've hurt us."

Old Bridge battled East Brunswick to a 2-2 tie on Saturday in double overtime. Alyssa Amodio, a left wing, scored twice for the Lady Knights, and goalie Heather Lifshitz made 12 saves.

On Monday the Knights again played well against South Plainfield. The game was scoreless through the first 48 minutes before the Vikings tallied the game's lone goal. Lifshitz was solid in net, turning aside 11 shots.

"The girls have played particularly well defensively," said Daganya, whose team has allowed just eight goals through four games. "But they're not getting enough good shots from the circle, and we need to shoot more in general and be aggressive in getting the ball to the net. We need to be smarter when we get breakaways, instead of just shooting straight on."

Stopper Brittany Kadin and fullbacks Susan Kelly and Katie Costello, a transfer from Raritan, anchor the defense in front of Lifshitz. Old Bridge is strong and deep in the middle, with Amber Zimmerlink, Kelly Hahn and Jane Kaminski, with

Sara Friel, Natalie Hart, Monika

Mamgain, Maria Lally and Lauren

Hahn also available for duty

at midfield.

On the forward line, Amodio is paired with Kasey Nugent on the wings. Megan Kosakowski, Aimee Campo and Kerry Stader round out the attackers.

The coach believes her offense will generate more goals as the season moves forward and the midfielders become more comfortable stepping up.

"We have a lot of talented girls who can put the ball in the net, and I know they will," the coach said. "That will help get us over the hump, because the GMC seems fairly even this year, and with a few more goals, we'll be winning these close games."

Last season the Lady Knights went 6- 11-2, and Daganya believes her team can do much better this time around.

"Once we get that first win, the girls will become more confident and I think things will start to fall into place," she added.

Old Bridge was scheduled take the field yesterday at home against Metuchen, and Piscataway comes to visit on Monday. The Lady Knights then travel Sept. 26 to face Sayreville, one of the top teams in the GMC.