Spotswood girls soccer falls in group tourney
BY JIMMY ALLINDER Correspondent
No doubt the 2008 season will rank as one of the best ever in Spotswood girls soccer history, with a 16-3-1 record and a successful defense of the Chargers' Greater Middlesex Conference title.

PHOTOS BY JEFF GRANIT staff Above: Spotswood's Amanda Pina (18) and Delaware Vallley's Paige Peck go up for a headball during the Central Jersey Group II semifinal game at Spotswood on Nov. 11. Below: Spotswood's Kristen Hager kneels down after losing 3-1 to Delaware Valley.

But for now the Chargers are in no mood to celebrate. That's because the season came to an abrupt end last Tuesday as they dropped a 3-1 decision to Delaware Valley, ending their quest for a Central Jersey Group II championship.

"It was a tough way to end the season," said third-year coach, Mike Reid. "We had expectations of going further in the states because of what we had accomplished this year. Even though Delaware Valley scored first, I thought we were on our way once we tied the score. But give them credit. They came through when it counted."

Thanks to a wind advantage, the Hunterdon County visitors took advantage by scoring on an improbable 40-yard shot which eluded the outstretched hands of goaltender Bryanna Astor. However, aided by the wind in the second half, the Chargers fought back to knot the score on Kristin Hagen's 10-yard shot. With Spotswood continuing to press the attack, Del Val countered with two goals to salt away the victory and the right to move on to the Group II finals.

Spotswood had earned a second seed with a second round 1-0 victory over Delran.

The regular season was one in which Reid's senior-ladened lineup blitzed through the schedule losing just a division game to Bishop Ahr. During that run, the Chargers were led by Hagen who ended up scoring 20 goals to lead the team. Just as valuable was Katy Generelli whose versatile play made her effective at forward. Generelli had suffered a knee injury in the Delran game, returned for the Delaware Valley game but was at 100 percent.

Reid also pointed to the contributions of Astor, a senior who anchored Spotswood's defensive front.

"We needed somebody with good athleticism to be our goaltender last year," said Reid, "and Bryanna stepped up. She had never played the position before but she came through with 11 shutouts. No doubt, goaltending was a strength for us this year."

Other seniors Reid mentioned as valuable contributors were forward Kim Crandall, midfielders Katie Lavelle and Deb Nicklas, while Courtney Brower was strong on the backline.

With the high number of veterans graduating, Reid knows he needs to find different combinations to continue the success at Spotswood. In Reid's first year, the Chargers finished 13-7-1 and improved to 13-5-1 last year.

"I'm going to miss working with those who are graduating," Reid said. "But fortunately, we have a nucleus for building on what we've started."

Only two juniors, defender Colleen Duffy and goaltender Brianna Teetsel will be back but a host of sophomores and freshmen will be looking to step in to the starting spots. The sophomores include forwards Page Brandao, Carolyn Thompson and Sam Adornati; midfielders Ashley Zawistowski, Samantha Petrosa, Monica Eskander and Alanna Doughty; defenders Ann Marie Hager, Megan Haraz, Shannon Thuring and Nicole Vizzi; and goaltender Alyson Somko.

A host of freshmen include forward Jenny Marrazo, midfielders Amanda Pina and Tori McCloskey; and defender Arianna Arroyo.

"I don't want our loss in the states to detract from what we've accomplished," Reid said. "This team played with great heart and accomplished much."