Knights look to clinch another postseason berth
Old Bridge coach nearing 100 victories at school
BY WARREN RAPPLEYEA Staff Writer
The Old Bridge High School girls soccer team is off to a 3-2 start as it seeks its ninth consecutive NJSIAA Central Jersey Group IV playoff berth.

Thus far, coach Rob Lozzi's squad has scored a pair of 5-0 triumphs over Edison and Piscataway, as well as a 3-2 win against South Brunswick. Its losses came at the hands of Westfield, 4-2, and East Brunswick, 3-0.

The Lady Knights are coming off a 13- win season, and they have plenty of offensive power in the lineup with captain Becky Bentley, who scored 19 times a year ago, and sophomore Amanda Pero, who tallied on 13 occasions as a freshman. Megan Black will also help out up front.

Junior Jillian Luicci has worked well with freshman Kerry Glynn in the middle to provide added offense. Lozzi noted that both players take their defensive responsibilities seriously, too.

"We should be able to score goals," Lozzi said. "Our forwards are experienced and we have players who can get them the ball. That's one of our strengths."

On the other hand, Old Bridge is somewhat inexperienced on defense, though the presence of junior midfielder Jen O'Donnell certainly helps. Sophomore Julie Connor also patrols the middle. Two other classmates, Becky Pesta and Catherine Lovallo, will come off the bench.

The graduation of goalie Laura Rumolo last spring has left the Lady Knights with two relative newcomers in goal: Bari Guttman and sophomore Jen Schwartz. The duo has split the action so far and has two combined shutouts to their credit.

Sweeper Courtney McNallan, stopper Christine Cannon, who started last season, fullback Mary Catherine McCarthy and Melanie Richard form the backline. Shannon Duffy, junior Mary Honan, sophomore Maria Falzone and freshman Kaitlyn Lancelot provide depth.

"With only one starter back on defense, we're still kind of feeling our way," Lozzi said. "Still, they've shown that they can play well and they have two shutouts. As the season progresses I expect they'll be more consistent."

Lozzi, meanwhile, began the season with 94 victories at Old Bridge and is now just three wins from reaching the 100 win plateau. Prior to his arrival in Old Bridge in 1999, Lozzi compiled a 73-31-1 mark at St. Mary (now Cardinal McCarrick) in South Amboy, where his teams won three Greater Middlesex Conference Gold Division titles.

During his tenure as mentor of the Lady Knights, Lozzi led his team to the GMC Red Division title in 2003 and his teams have twice reached the finals in the GMC Tournament, in addition to its regular appearances in the state tourney.

"Our goals haven't changed," he said. "Even though we lost our first game to East Brunswick this year, we still have our sights set on the Red Division title. This team has good chemistry and the girls are beginning to gel. We just want to get better and better as a team and take things one game at a time."