SPORTS

HNT All-Area Girls Soccer Teams & final Top 10

Steven Macri
@StevenMacri
2015 Home News Tribune Girls All Area Soccer photographed at East Brunswick High School on Wednesday December 9 ,2015.
Top row Left to Right:

F-Jillian Vassallo, Bishop Ahr
F-Lela Allen, Piscataway
F-Felicia Forsyth, Edison
F-Tara Durstewitz, Old Bridge
Mid-Julianna Franco, South Brunswick
Mid-Gabby D’Emilio, Woodbridge
Lower row Left to Right:

Mid-Katrina Nguyen-DeMary, East Brunswick
Mid-Kaitlyn Mascali, Monroe
D- Mackenzie Meixner, Middlesex
D- Tracy Michalski, Metuchen
D- Erin Thuring, Spotswood
GK -Erin Seppi, Monroe

F Jillian Vassallo, Bishop Ahr, Sr.             

Vassallo was the deadliest scorer in the Greater Middlesex Conference this year. The Delaware-bound senior notched 30 goals and 16 assists. This season, Vassallo played an important role in her team’s growth. With young faces placed around her, she led her pack to a White Division title. One of the most storied careers in GMC history comes to an end when she officially departs in the spring.

F Lela Allen, Piscataway, Jr.

The junior could turn on her engine at any moment of the game. She proved that during the first round of the NJSIAA North 2 Group IV Tournament against Woodbridge. Although Piscataway eventually lost, Allen single-handedly carried her team with four goals. Allen can play anywhere on the field and completed the 2015 campaign with 20 goals and four assists.

F Felicia Forsythe, Edison, Jr.

Forsythe has made vast improvements in each of her three seasons playing high school soccer. This season may have been her best yet. The forward had 25 goals and six assists this fall. Forsythe is one of the most lethal players with the ball in the GMC. It should be interesting to see what she has in store for next season.

F Tara Durstewitz, Old Bridge, Sr.

Durstewitz worked her way back into the Old Bridge lineup after tearing her ACL. She didn’t hesitate to make an immediate impact, scoring five goals in her first three games back. Durstewitz was certainly motivated to prove to the rest of the question that she was back to her old form, maybe even better. She finished the year with 12 goals and five assists.

M Julianna Franco, South Brunswick, Sr.

Franco entered the 2015 year in a far different situation than her previous season. During her junior year she had 14 seniors on the roster and finished the year with 26 goals. This year Franco stepped away from the personal statistics and left a lasting image. The Vikings entered the GMC Tournament as underdogs but left as champions. Franco officially holds the title of “hero.” She scored two late goals during the tournament, including the game-winner against East Brunswick in the championship bout.

M Gabby D’Emilio, Woodbridge, So.

D’Emilio ignored the term “sophomore slump” and once again had a strong season. Alongside Jordan Vazquez, the two players formed an offensive force. D’Emilio put 19 balls in the back of the net. Most important, she became a multidimensional player this season, finishing with 13 assists. D’Emilio is off to a fast start for her high school career and still has two years remaining.

M Katrina Nguyen-DeMary, East Brunswick, Jr.

East Brunswick made yet another run to the GMCT championship game, and Nguyen-DeMary was a big reason why. Her consistent play in the middle of the field not only opened up opportunities for herself but also created chances for the players around her. She finished the year with six goals and seven assists.

M Kaitlyn Mascali, Monroe, Sr.

Mascali was the centerpiece for Monroe’s midfield. Her constant hustle energized her teammates and was a big reason for their success this fall. Mascali completed the year with nine goals and five assists. She sent a perfect pass that resulted in the game-winning goal against East Brunswick when Monroe clinched the Red Division.

HNT Girls Soccer: Monroe's Kathleen Dillon is Coach of the Year

D Mackenzie Meixner, Middlesex, Jr.

Meixner was an instrumental piece for Middlesex this season. The junior could play on the field but mostly found a home on defense or fixated in the midfield. Not only did she make the goalies’ job easier, but Meixner could score, netting eight goals and dishing out eight assists. Meixner’s most notable game was during the first round of the GMCT, when she scored once and also had an assist.

D Tracy Michalski, Metuchen, Jr.

Michalski finds herself on the HNT First Team list for the second straight season. It’s not a secret anymore: She is one of the best defenders in the GMC. Behind her solid play in the backline, Metuchen once again made a run to the Central Group I Final.

D Erin Thuring, Spotswood, Jr.

Thuring was the anchor for one of the toughest backlines in the GMC. The junior helped Spotswood win the Blue Division by shutting down the opposition. Thuring could also find the back of the net, scoring six goals and adding two assists.

GK Erin Seppi, Monroe, Sr.

Seppi, the Home News Tribune Player of the Year, pieced together a memorable season for Monroe. On a personal side, the Maryland-bound keeper had 11 shutouts and 114 saves. From a team aspect, she helped Monroe win its first-ever Red Division title.

HNT Girls Soccer: Monroe's Erin Seppi is Player of the Year

SECOND TEAM

F Katharine Chura, Metuchen, Sr.

F Kathryn Ward, Mother Seton, Sr.

F Jessica Meagher, Spotswood, Sr.

F Jordan Vazquez, Woodbridge, Jr.

M Erin Wimmer, Sayreville, Jr.

M Jackie Von Itter, Dunellen, Sr.

M Alex Garces, Wardlaw-Hartridge, Sr.

D Nayara Figueroa, South River, Jr.

D Sydney Greenspan,  East Brunswick, Sr.

D Gayathri Vijayakumar, Edison, Sr.

D Courtney Culp, Piscataway, Sr.

GK Sydney Schneider, South Brunswick, Jr.

Third Team

F Gennyka Leibentha, Monroe, So.

F Abigail Luengas, New Brunswick, Fr.

F Sabria Glasgow, East Brunswick, Jr.

F Sophie Thellmann, Rutgers Prep, Jr.

M Francesca Dimitrakis, South Brunswick, Jr.

M Taylor Hueston, Metuchen, Sr.

M Tatum Altum, North Brunswick, Sr.

M Paige Gandy, Monroe, So.

D Ciara Varley, Wardlaw-Hartridge

D Kaitlin Esposito, Sayreville, Jr.

D Reilly Mullin, Bishop Ahr, Sr.

GK Justine Stefura, Woodbridge, Sr.

Honorable Mentions

Bishop Ahr: Stephanie Spada, Lauren Jurcesk; Carteret: Kate Pena; Colonia: Jasmine Mincer, Amanda Paoulakowski; Dunellen: Alyssa Zarzuela, Nicole Baudendistel; East Brunswick: Lauren Krinsky, Melissa Ciaccio, Michelle Popovski; Edison: Gabrielle da Silva; Franklin: Kim Chavkin, Adrionna Wright, Brooke Sachau; Highland Park: Elizabeth Girvan, Gabby Sanchez; J.F. Kennedy: Gabriela Balle-Quinones; J.P. Stevens: Sam Dzema, Kinjal Shah, Caitlyn Shannon  Metuchen: Alexa Craft-Zaletel, Carly Taylor, Mya Stolarski, Alanna Benderly, Hannah Santus;  Middlesex: Nicole Fallon; Monroe: Taylor Muce, Erin Butler, Kayla Landis; Mother Seton: Bianca Ortega; New Brunswick: Erica Rodriguez, Odalis Montes, Areil Santiago, Lynee Dominguez; Old Bridge: Breanna Jacinto, Dominique Lovallo; Piscataway: Jackie McEvoy; Rutgers Prep: Niya Parikh; Sayreville: Erika Signorile, Sarah Rubio; South Amboy: Bryonna Worthy, Alissa Bikowski; South Brunswick: Samantha Rivera; South River: Victoria Gil, Sophia DiGiovanni, Gabriella Sampaio, Michelle Reyes; South Plainfield: Claire Nagel, Brianna Slover, Grace Ochoa; Spotswood: Lauren Kiszkiel, Katie Wasserman, Caroline Fernandez, Lizzie Vignuolo, Melanie Hager, Sam Allen; Timothy Christian: Bekah Aviles, Sarah Solorzano, Katelyn Dyer; Wardlaw-Hartridge: Lacey Gress, Lauren Yates, Allie Haley, Fiorella Doglio; Woodbridge: Sophia Gomez, Emily Mazzarella, Kelsey Savoia

Coach of the Year: Kathleen Dillon, Monroe

Final Top 10

1. Monroe (12-4-2)

2. South Brunswick (10-8-1)

3. East Brunswick (13-9)

4. Bishop Ahr (18-2-1)

5. Metuchen (18-4-1)

6. Old Bridge (6-10-1)

7. Spotswood (14-5-1)

8. Wardlaw-Hartridge (17-5-1)

9. Woodbridge (15-6)

10. Piscataway (9-9)

Staff Writer Steven Macri: smacri@njpressmedia.com