SPORTS

Skyland Conference Mountain Division Girls Soccer Preview Capsules

Alyssa Davis, and Simeon Pincus
Courier News and Home Tribune
Holmdel is looking to bond $5 million to build synthetic sports fields (and more) at Cross Farm Park.

BOUND BROOK

Coach: Mahon Ryan-Hannaway, second season

Last year’s record: 5-15

Top lettermen lost: Christine Mayorga (M), Alex Thiessen (F).

Returners: Cecilia Rojas (Sr., M), Natasha Rojas (Sr., DF), Erika Guiterrez (Sr. DF), Daniela Bogantes (Sr., DF).

Newcomers: Stephanie Andrade (Fr., F), Jenna Thiessen (Fr., F), Sophie Hector (Fr., DF/GK).

Outlook: The Crusaders look to produce their first winning season since 2005, and with Ryan-Hannaway in his second season as head coach, and with an experienced bunch of returners, especially on defense, it may be possible. As a first season skipper, Ryan-Hannaway was able to navigate Bound Brook to one more win that it had in the previous season, and the Crusaders hope to build on that. Both Rojas’ and Bogantes will be looked to as leaders on and off the field. Bound Brook looks to control the field and work through the backs this season.

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READ: GIRLS SOCCER RARITAN DIVISION PREVIEW CAPSULES

GILL ST. BERNARDS

Coach: Michael Williams, fourth season

Last year’s record: 8-8-2

Top lettermen lost: Jane O’Conner (F), Renee Turner (M).

Returners: Lauren Renna (Sr., M), Jennifer Lowe (Sr., DF), Ava Diggins (Jr., DF), Amelia Kirby (Jr., F), Hayley Goldin (So., F).

Newcomers: Catelyn Woelfle (So., DF), Theresa Zimmer (Fr., M/DF), Alexandra Yates (Fr., M), Emily Raia (Fr., F), Ava Kolb (Fr., F), Samantha Lowe (Fr., DF).

Outlook: The Knights return looking to mirror their 2014 postseason run which saw them go tothea Non-Public B South championship game, but with a majority of freshman making up the ranks experience is lacking. Nevertheless, Williams hopes to finish among the top three in the division and feels that with the dynamic Knights squad, they can contend for the top spot.

MANVILLE

Coach: Erin Shannon, 11th season

Last year’s record: 6-13

Top lettermen lost: Mariana Munoz (F), Nataly Brito (F), Chelsea Tomari (DF), Megan Mack (DF), Samantha Ortiz (GK), Raquel Ramos (DF), Dayana Sanchez (F).

Returners: Natalia Bak (Sr., M), Brianna Berrocal (Sr., M), Klaudia Bunkowski (M), Jessica Campos (Jr., DF/F), Joselyn Chaves (Sr., M/F), Kerrigan Johnston (Jr., GK/DF), Andrea Murillo (M), Vanessa Ramirez (Jr., GK), Isabella Sanchez (So., M), Victoria Schuyler (Sr., DF/M), Nicole Smutek (Jr., DF/M), Melany Solis (Jr., M).

Newcomers: Melissa Angulo (Fr., DF), Emilee Diaz (Fr.), Alyssa Dima (Fr., GK), Natalia Jimenez (Fr., DF), Cristine Macanicela (Fr., M), Alena Petrock (Fr., M), Tanya Priego (Jr., DF), Mindy Sonnenberg (So., DF/GK).

Outlook: After losing seven seniors from last season’s squad, this will be a rebuilding year for the Mustangs. Shannon said that the team is hoping to build chemistry on the field in order to be competitive in the conference. Chaves and Campos will fuel the attack while Schuyler, Smutek and Johnston will lead the defense.

NORTH PLAINFIELD

Coach: Cara Colabelli, first season

Last year’s record: 11-6-3

Top lettermen lost: Caitlin Gugliara (M), Jasmine Chavez (DF), Sabrina Perezalie (GK), Danielle Caruso (DF).

Returners: Nikita Forrester (Sr., M), Dilinna Enwerekowe (Sr., DF), Steffany Marroquin (Sr., F/M), Jocelyn Ramos (Sr., F/M), Aracely Pancheco (Sr., M), Sheila Nunez (Jr., DF), Alyssa Pompey (Jr., DF), Ashley Atubi (Jr., DF).

Newcomers: Itati Aguirre (Sr., DF), Shaniyah O’Neal (Jr., M), Kayla Arguello (So., M), Emely Velastegui (GK), Kiora Aurelien (So., M), Sindy Garcia (Sr., M).

Outlook: The Canucks were the Mountain Division runners-up last season and with an experienced group of juniors and seniors it is expected that they will have success again. Velastagui will take over for Perezalie in the net while Pompey, Nunez, Aguirre and Enwerekowe will make up the back four. Atubi, North Plainfield’s choef offensive weapon, along with Pancheco and Forrester will patrol the middle, while Marroquin and Ramos will lead the attack. First-year head coach Colabelli said that the Canucks hope to improve on their fundamental skills while playing tighter and more coherent. She also said that she is looking to win key games in conference.

RUTGERS PREP

Coach: Tony Mento, first season

Last year’s record: 8-10-1

Top lettermen lost: Radhika Kadakia, Rachel Wisniewski, Kaylen Patel.

Returners: Grace Bancone (Sr., F/M ), Sophie Thellman (Sr., M/DF), Holly Riccio (Sr., DF), McKayla Mottola (Sr., F/DF), Becca Park (Sr. DF), Tyler Patel (Jr., M), Andrea Gamboa (Jr., DF), Niya Parikh (Jr., GK), Thara Kalvala (So., M/DF), Arthi Vaidyanathan (Jr., M), Alex Scariati (Jr., M/DF), Samatha Kodali (Jr., DF).

Newcomers: Macey Mento (Fr., M), Libby Gilfeather (Fr., DF), Amanda Aloia (Fr. F/DF), Emma Littman (Fr., GK), Mickie Kraker (Fr., M), Jasmine Lyles (Fr., DF), Nora Hall (So., M/F), Renee Pieros (Jr., M/DF), Taylor Williams (Fr., M), Ava Margolis (So., M/F), Meghan Ford-Titus (Fr., M/DF), Thalia Grandinetti (Fr., DF), Julia Chorun (Fr., M), Jessica DeFort (Fr., DF), Gianna DeLorenzo (Fr., DF).

Outlook: The Argonauts will use a nice mix of experienced players and newcomers as they look to capture their first Skyland Conference Mountain Division title and ramp things up against non-conference opponents in the county and state tournaments. Rutgers Prep will feature a solid core of returning players, including four on the backline, with as many as seven underclassmen projected to crack the varsity lineup. Team captains Bancone, Park, and Riccio will lead an experienced group of seniors that also features returning starters Thellman and Mottola. Junior captain Patel will be expected to control the midfield, while Gamboa will anchor the defense. Parikh, a two-year starter, will take her position between the pipes. The key to a successful season will be meshing young blood with veteran athletes, Mento said.

SOUTH HUNTERDON

Coach: Bay Pedersen, fourth season

Last year’s record: 6-13

Top lettermen lost: Devon Nini (M), Kayla Marriott (F), Shannon Ferry.

Returning players: Abbi Garrison (Sr., M/D), Charlotte Smith (Jr., F), Allie Magus (So., M/D), Koren Woznicki (So.), Haile Hicks (Jr., GK).

Newcomers: Rylee Bordwick (M).

Outlook: Pedersen expects an improvement from this year’s club, as its young core of a year ago gets a year older and wiser. He also expects a little more physicality from his club as it looks to post the first winning record in the program’s five-year history and grab its first playoff victory.