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