Courier News Girls Soccer Top 10
CN Girls Soccer Top 10
1. Westfield (7-0-1): The Lady Blue Devils' stellar defense earns them the top spot in the Courier News Girls Soccer Top 10. Westfield has pitched seven shutouts and has only surrendered one goal the entire season. The goal came last week when senior goalie Liz Brucia was sidelined due to injury, but on Saturday the University of Georgia commit was back between the pipes as Westfield topped Watchung Hills 1-0 in a Top 10 showdown. Brucia has tallied 26 saves this season. Senior Taylor Morgan, who will be playing at the University of Alabama next year, leads the team in scoring with seven goals and three assists. Her great play as well as the rest of the 11-returning starters from last year’s team will be squaring off against Scotch Plains-Fanwood on Saturday.
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2. Scotch Plains-Fanwood (5-0-2): The Raiders have proved they can compete with any team regardless of who is on the pitch. Led by four-year varsity goalkeeper Andrea Leitner, who has 31 saves on the season, the Raiders' defense has posted four shutouts. The Raiders remain undefeated and have forced two-impressive draws against two Top 10 teams, Westfield and Hunterdon Central. Kerri McNeely leads the team in scoring with six goals, including two scores on Saturday when Scotch-Plains-Fanwood defeated Monroe 4-0. This Saturday, the Raiders defense will be put to the test as it squares off against Westfield.
3. Hunterdon Central (5-1-1): Last week, the Red Devils had three outstanding performances as they defeated Phillipsburg 8-0, dueled with Scotch Plains-Fanwood in a 1-1 draw and topped Princeton 4-1. Freshman Corinna Zullo has proven to be an offensive weapon as she currently leads the team in scoring with six goals. Against Watchung Hills, Zullo saw the back of the net twice in an impressive 4-3 victory. Hunterdon Central’s only loss came in its season opener against Ridge.
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4. Watchung Hills (5-2): The Warriors have had two one-point losses to two perennial Top 10 teams. Despite the tough schedule, Watchung Hills remains a top-tier squad led by Melanie Cunha, who has netted eight goals this season. Alex Ferreira is also off to a great start with six goals and eight assists. The Warriors began their season with an impressive season 2-1 victory over Ridge, snapping the Red Devils 25-game win streak and will look to get back to their winning ways against Franklin on Tuesday.
5. Pingry (5-1): The Big Blue is riding a five-game winning streak, including an impressive 2-1 victory over Bridgewater-Raritan last week. Senior goalkeeper Gabby Obregon had a phenomenal performance against the Panthers, finishing with 21 saves. Natalia Ramirez contributed to that win with two goals, propelling her season total goals scored to seven. Pingry’s only loss came against Watchung Hills in a 2-1 overtime defeat.
6. Ridge (4-1-1): The defending Group IV champions entered the season with a 24-game winning streak and began this season with an impressive 1-0 victory over Hunterdon Central. While the streak was snapped the following week, Ridge remains a team that no opponent wants to face, especially late in the season. Samantha Weyrauch and Olivia Melnyk lead the team in scoring with three goals apiece. Last week, the Red Devils tied against Franklin but bounced back with two impressive wins. On Tuesday, Ridge will face off against Bridewater-Raritan in a Top 10 showdown.
7. Bridgewater-Raritan (5-1-1): The Panthers proved their young team has talent earlier in the season with back-to-back 2-1 victories over Ramapo and Pingry. Led by Alexa Comune, who has five goals and two assists, the Bridgewater-Raritan offense can put the ball in the back of the net while also showing the ability to win a defensive showdown. Goalkeepeer Marissa Cook has racked up 40 saves this season. Bridgewater-Raritan will be put to the test as its next three matches are against Ridge, East Brunswick and Watchung Hills.
8. Somerville (5-0): Last week the Lady Pioneers racked up 18 goals in three matches. With two consecutive 7-0 victories, Somerville capped off the week with an impressive 4-2 victory over Shore on Saturday. Led by Christina Cernuto who has accumulated eight goals and four assists, Somerville’s offense looks to stay hot when it faces off against Bernards on Thursday.
9. Mount St. Mary (5-0-1): The Mount Lions are riding a five-game winning streak after tying Gill. St. Bernard’s 0-0, in their season opener. Junior Michaela Walsh has been stout defensively between the pipes this season as she has 26 saves. Sophomore Katherine Butler leads the team in scoring with four goals.
10. South Hunterdon (5-1): Sophomore Charlotte Smith has had a brilliant start to the season for the Lions as she has eight goals and 11 assists. The Eagles began the season with a four game winning streak until they fell to Rutgers Prep 1-0 on Sept. 22. Junior Halie Hicks has impressed in the net as she has 37 saves on the season. With a stout goalkeeper and impressive offense, the Eagles have the right recipe for success.
Also receiving consideration: Rutgers Prep (4-1-1)
Game of the Week
Westfield at Scotch Plains-Fanwood, 4:30 p.m. Saturday: The two tops teams will meet for the second time this season. In both team's season openers, the Blue Devils and Raiders couldn’t best each other as they tied 0-0.