Hunterdon Central's Noelle Golden voted MyCentralJersey.com Athlete of the Week

Hunterdon Central's Noelle Golden doesn't mind not being in the thick of the action all the time. Glory doesn't come in the form of scoring goals for Golden, it comes from stopping them. 

Golden, a senior captain, is the anchor on the defense for the Hunterdon Central girls soccer team. She helped the Red Devils post two shutouts last week, a 4-0 win over Voorhees on Sept. 23 and a 4-0 victory over Montgomery on Saturday.

For her efforts, Golden was voted the MyCentralJersey.com Athlete of the Week with 81.39 percent of the votes.

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"Noelle is our veteran on the back line. She has started there since her sophomore year and has experienced being a part of a defense that has had to keep many prolific scorers in check over the years," Hunterdon Central coach Jeannine Calhoun said. "This experience serves her well, as her teammates on the backline are all new to the positions they are playing. When you consider how solid the defense has been, it's pretty impressive."

Golden started playing soccer when she was four years old, but only became a defender about 10 years ago. 

"Just being able to see the whole field and being able to see the game from the back, it’s a better perspective as to what’s happening, it’s a better view," Golden said. 

Golden said she started on the JV team her freshman year, but was moved up to varsity at the end of the season, and the rest is history. Her sophomore year Hunterdon Central went 18-5-1 and won the Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex Tournament title but fell in the NJSIAA Central Group IV final to Freehold Twp. 

Last year, the Red Devils went 21-1-1, repeated as H/W/S Tournament champions, and took it one step further with a 2-0 win over Freehold Twp. in the sectional final. Hunterdon Central then ended the season as Group IV champions. 

Golden helped the Red Devils to 11 shutouts last season, including clean sheets against Freehold Twp. in the sectional final, Toms River North in the Group semifinals and a 3-0 victory over Ridge in the final. 

"It is a credit to her composure and leadership, and of course the coachability and natural instincts of her teammates," Calhoun said. "Noelle is a fierce ball winner and a smart distributor."

This season, Golden was one of a few players to return, and has picked up where she left off. A captain, Golden has helped Hunterdon Central go 6-1, despite a number of players out with injuries. 

"I think I bring a lot of leadership and positive energy, I really try to be someone who can be a role model and being productive and being a great example for everyone around me," Golden said. "I think with the injuries the other girls have had to step up and play, everyone has had to step up and they’ve done an awesome job, we’re going to be just fine."

The defense has been stellar, as the Red Devils have posted five shutouts, including four straight in their last four games. The back line has also only allowed three goals. 

"The feeling is crazy, it’s awesome to know that we’re keeping shots away and goals away, and everyone is putting in the effort and knowing that we’re having consecutive games in a row, it’s a great feeling," Golden said.

Staff Writer Lauren Knego: lknego@gannettnj.com; on Twitter: @laurenknego