Shorts

The Monroe U13 Lady Falcons won a pair of basketball games this past week to improve to 3-1 in Mid Monmouth League play.

The girls handed Colts Neck its first loss with a 23-20 victory. Monroe's defense was very stingy, holding Colts Neck's high scoring offense to 20 points.

Kylie Davidson led the Monroe scoring attack with eight points while Samantha Clark netted seven points. Jackie Racine chipped in with five points, and Christina Felice added three points. Jena Pritzlaff, Stephanie Johler, Keriann Manziano, Meghan McClaren and Victoria Clayton all had strong games on the defensive end. Racine pulled in 9 rebounds.

On Friday, Monroe defeated Hazlet 30-21 at home. Seven different girls provided the offense. Pritzlaff dropped in 11 points, while Clark scored six points. Racine (four points) and Manziano (three points) aided the offense while Alexa Carini, Felice and Johler each added a basket. Kristen Junquet, Mc- Claren and Clayton each provided key minutes on the defensive end of the floor.

This week the Monroe U13 girls travel to Millstone.

The ABA Soccer indoor soccer league at the NYSC in East Brunswick will start Jan. 12. Girls and boys ages 6-14 may register. Players can sign up as a team or as individuals. The games are one hour in length every Saturday. Registration fee is $110, which includes eight guaranteed games and referee fees. For registration form and more information, e-mail abasoccer@yahoo.com or visit the Web site at www.abasoccer.com.

The Old Bridge Girls Blue Thunder U-12 travel soccer team has been on a roll as of late, winning three straight MOSA league games to propel them to a 4-0-2 record and first place in the National 1 flight. During this run, the girls have outscored their opponents 8-1 and have been solid both offensively and defensively as their hard work has paid some dividends.

Also during this run, the girls participated in the N.J. Youth Soccer State Cup. After winning their first game, the Blue Thunder came up against the undefeated and No. 2 nationally ranked PDA Slammers, last year's defending state cup champions. The Slammers had won all their games against premier teams this season by at least five goals, so the Blue Thunder were huge underdogs. PDA came out firing, but for the first 15 minutes the Blue Thunder kept turning them away. Finally, PDA hit a goal on a nice shot from about 25 yards, but there would be no more scoring in the first half as PDA led 1-0. The Blue Thunder had a great half, but surely in the second half the nation's No. 2 team would wear down the upstart Blue Thunder. As the second half progressed, it became apparent that this wasn't going to happen and that PDA was in for a fight. The Blue Thunder battled, but were unable to get the equalizer, and ended up falling 1-0. Still, it was a great team effort playing the No. 2 team in the country to a one-goal game.

The Blue Thunder are the following girls: Victoria Beake, Jessica Betines, Courtney Durstewitz, Cassidy Flynn-Rozanski, Amanda Freno, Lexi Grillo, Hannah Hallos, Kaylan Haughney, Erin Honan, Kelly Kracsun, Gina Maschenic, Alley Maurer, Nicolette Modica, Christina Shannon, Elizabeth Thoresen, and Stephanie Walz.

The Old Bridge Hornets Girls U8 Soccer Team improved their record to 4-2 after defeating the Middletown Wildcats 2-1 on Saturday in Old Bridge. The game was tied 0-0 at halftime, thanks to the play of Hornets goalkeeper Trinity Malave and the aggressive defense by fullbacks Shannon Kearns and Brianna Quezada. Similarly, the Wildcats withstood the offensive attack by forwards Kayla Lombardi, Julia Sandor, Jessica Schmidt, Jackie Tannucilli, Joelle Taranto and Skylar Weickert to keep the game scoreless. The Hornets finally broke through early in the second half with a goal by Trinity Malave, who found a loose ball inside the 18- yard line and drilled it home for a 1-0 Hornets lead. Emily Lopes then scored off a pass by Emily Valazza to make the score 2-0. After Middletown scored to cut it to 2-1, two key saves by Sierra Stevenson kept the Wildcats from causing further damage as the Hornets celebrated their second straight win. The Hornets are currently in second place in the Jersey Coast Youth Soccer League.

The CNJSB Wildcats U11 girls soccer team had a successful weekend in The North Brunswick Spookarama soccer tournament. The girls played extremely well. They were grouped against a very tough bracket. Playing the tournament with only two substitutes, in the Wildcats' first game they defeated a very quick Edison United FC Hearts team, 1-0. In the second game, the Wildcats beat a very physical and skilled South Brunswick Vikings team, 1-0. The Wildcats finished in first place. The games were clean, hard-fought and fast and remained tense till the final whistle. All the teams were well matched and it was tug of war from start to finish.

Wildcats goalie Dayna Sclafani anchored the team, making some great saves. The defensive back line was a wall, led by sweeper Breanna Carbone with Angelea Villalona, Maddyson Datkowitz, and Krissy Muniz as stopper. They continued their outstanding play throughout the tournament. The midfield and forwards created some excellent chances. Carla LaRocca assisted on the game-winning goal scored by Kristen Connoly against Edison. Once again, the inspiring play of Carla LaRocca produced yet another assist on the game-winning goal scored by Dana DeSantis against South Brunswick.

The midfield players Daniella Toto, Chelsea Perez, Erin Anderson and Dana De- Santis played with heart and fought for and won most 50-50 balls. The forwards, Catherine Alabanza, Kiera Kelly and Carla LaRocca, had some good chances but were denied any finishes.

The team coaches are head coach Corrado Carbone, assistant Stacey Anderson, Jamie Wasserman and Dave Villalona.

As always, the Wildcats never gave up, and they played with the heart and skill they have shown time and time again. Their commitment to each other was outstanding.

The Raritan Bay Cougars were hosted by the Sayreville Leprechauns in the first round of the Central Jersey Pride Bowl Tournament.

The Cougars put together a great performance against the Leprechauns. Dwayne Trawick scored two rushing touchdowns and also found the uprights for an extra point. Brian Gearghty had a great game with a 55- yard pass to Ziggy Tykarski, who ran the ball to the 6-yard line, and two plays later, Brian scored on a quarterback sneak. Brian also threw a 25-yard touchdown strike to Ziggy to close out a 26-0 victory. On defense, the Cougars were very strong with great plays from Chris Weber recording two sacks and Dwayne picking off a Leprechauns pass. Alan Jackson and Aaron Rosario also had strong defensive performances.