Lauren Mains-Freshman Goalies

Take two high school programs from the same town-one the benchmark for success in Central Jersey, the other trying to make its reputation. Add two coaches, one a legend nearing 500 wins, the other in his second season. Combine that with the specter of each team losing a multi year starter at goalie to graduation last year and you have the formula for the almost unfathomable reality of both Scotch Plains Fanwood high school soccer teams starting freshman goalies this fall.

And if the early results are any harbinger, the coaches Tom Breznitsky(Boys) and Kevin Ewing(girls) should feel vindicated about their confidence and guts to start previously untested newcomers in the most high profile and pressure filled soccer position. Through five games Bryan Meredith had been unscored upon including whitewashes of local rivals Westfield, Cranford and Plainfield. Girls keeper Lauren Mains was no less impressive, helping the Raiders to historic triumphs over previous nemesis Westfield and Cranford while also leaving the goal to score against Newark East Side.

Breznitsky, nearing a quarter century as Raiders’ coach has won an impressive 467 games but none of those wins had come with a freshman starting as goalie. “We have had some freshmen get time in the goal but none was an actual starter. Bryan has done an excellent job thus far this season. He plays well beyond his years, “ said Breznitsky.

Ewing’s team has reversed their inauspicious 0-4 start to his initial season in 2002 by winning their first four games due in no small part to four freshmen starters led by Mains. “Lauren is a great athlete,“ said Ewing.

“She doesn’t play or act like a freshman. “

While their talent was evident from an early age where both joined traveling teams as early as allowable, they have recently taken different paths to success. Mains is an all around athlete excelling in softball, basketball and football at Park Middle School where she held her own with the boys. Soccer is not necessarily her favorite sport.

“I don't have a favorite sport, I like to play all of them,” said Mains, who admitted a soft spot for football.

“I do miss football. Sometimes at water breaks I would sneak a look at them practicing, but I couldn't be happier playing soccer with this team.”

Meredith, on the other hand, has eschewed other sports to be a year round player, starring for the two time defending state club champions Players Development Academy (PDA) Socrates of Zarepath, NJ.

“I don't play any other sport because I prefer to focus on Soccer. Many
of my teammates on the Varsity team and at Socrates play baseball, and
basketball and other sports at a competitive level, I just love soccer,” said Meredith.

Among his PDA teammates are two other town residents Robert Cunningham and Brian Hessemer, whose older brother Mike is a three year starter for the Raiders.
“Playing with Brian on Socrates and Michael on the Varsity team is great because it is one less new name to remember. They are both great players and teammates”, said Meredith who appreciates how easy his teammates have accepted him.

“ Michael and Ryan(Breznitsky)made me feel welcome right away during tryouts “, said Meredith.

“We had seem him play enough at PDA to know how talented he was “, said the younger Breznitsky. “ He has a tremendous amount of poise and confidence for a freshman.”.

“PDA has prepared me very well because we have played in many high level
tournaments with great competition. As a Goalie they also provide me
goalkeeping training. Mr. Blogett is my trainer he works us very hard to
make us better,” said Meredith.

There is little rest for Meredith who continues to play on weekends for his PDA club which is a veritable who’s who of outstanding young New Jersey soccer talent who attend schools like Delbarton, Pingry and St. Benedicts.. This weekend Meredith hopes to contribute to a third straight state title for PDA.
“So far there has not been a problem I have told Bryan our expectations of
him and have working together with his club coaches to work out any
potential conflicts,” said Tom Breznitsky.

The girls’ co-captain Chelsea Mintz is just as impressed with Mains. “She has the strongest hands I’ve ever seen on a goalie, “ said Mintz.. “When she gets to the ball nobody is going to take it from her.”

For Mains the toughest adjustment to high school play has been taking charge on a field with older players. “Before this year I never really said things, like man on, or you mark # 7. I learned that as a goalie you have to talk to your team, because you can see the whole field,” said Mains.

The two freshman have become friends and mutual admiration societies.
“Lauren is in some of my classes and we are friends so I am very
aware of the great start to the girls season as well as our own,” said Meredith.

“I have never thought about trading tips with him, but I like that idea. I know him pretty well, we are in the same Spanish class,” said Mains. Lauren and Bryan the Spanish word for great goalkeeper is Gran encargado de la meta

2003 Preview-Chelsea and Hallie Mintz

The Mintzes are as different as two sisters can be but that suits Scotch Plains Girls Soccer coach Kevin Ewing just fine. Chelsea Mintz the senior half of the duo is an aggressive defensive player “who will run through a wall to get a loose ball” according to Ewing. Hallie Mintz, her sophomore sister, is much more of a finesse player who uses her ball control skills to create scoring chances. Together they form the key nucleus as Ewing, in his second year, looks to improve on a 13-9 record that overcame an 0-4 start.

Despite only a two-year age difference, last season was the first time the Mintzes played competitive soccer together. Hallie wasted no time breaking into the starting lineup as a freshman a feat that had eluded Chelsea who played jayvee as a freshman, lettered as a sophomore and only became a starter as a junior. “It was really exciting playing with Chelsea. We seemed to have a natural connection. We always know where the other one is”, said Hallie.

Besides playing style there are a number of physical differences between the two. Hallie has blond hair, Chelsea is a brunette. Hallie already is two inches taller than her older sister and that gap continues to widen. Additionally, the girls were born 2000 miles apart with Chelsea spending her first two years in Colorado and Hallie living her whole life as a Jersey girl. Not surprisingly Chelsea speaks for both of them on the field. “ I get very vocal out on the field, while you hardly hear Hallie”, said Chelsea.

Before a recent practice, Chelsea and the other co-captain midfielder and leading scorer Michelle Fischer(13 goals , 8 assists) gave the team a pep talk about the importance of playing as a team. The two are a rarity on the team, seniors. Most of the team is underclassmen including the other five returning starters, which besides the younger Mintz are junior midfielders Jenna Balestriere, Jessie Sapienza, and Lauren Perrotta and sophomore forward Kelly Rigano.

Ewing was not able to name a starting unit at press time but said the competition for playing time was encouraging. In addition to the returning starters letter winners Katie Bantz, Kristen Bover, Nicole Dauria, Kristen Zyla, Jeanette Franzone, Lauren Perrotta, Carly Wells, Carlene Bronikowski, Monique Morales, Megan Kelly add speed and intensity to the midfield and defense.

“We have a lot of versatility”, said Ewing. “A lot of players can play multiple positions and we’re still moving kids around to find the best combination.

Ewing, who started two freshman a year ago, named Allie Hambleton, Lauren Weisbrod, Allie Zazzali, Lauren Mains, and Lisa Camarda as freshman that could contribute this year. Zazzali is the younger sister of Raider throw- in specialist Ed Zazzali who will be a senior this year. Mains is a very athletic goalie who played football last fall for Park Middle School.

The depth will be necessary especially if injuries become widespread again this year.
Hallie Mintz, because of her wiry build has been susceptible to ankle injuries, the latest that was incurred in the teams’ scrimmage last Saturday at Morris Knolls. Ewing removed her as a precautionary measure and hopes she can be ready for tomorrow night’s tough season opener at Warren Hills. It doesn’t get any easier next week with Westfield and Cranford awaiting. The Blue Devils were group four finalists and while losing eight starters will be a tough opponent. Ewing began his rookie year in 2002 with an injury-depleted team that opened with then number one ranked Pingry. The Raiders were 0-4 before getting the injured back and running off nine straight wins. With a very young team Ewing worries about another slow start. “We have some very good players but they are young”, said Ewing