SPF Girls 2003 Review

The contrasts couldn’t have been more different and more welcome. After
starting his coaching career at Scotch Plains Fanwood High School with four straight losses in 2002, Kevin Ewing was determined to get his team off better in 2003. The team succeeded so well that by the time their season had ended in November with a heartbreaking 1-0 defeat in the second round of the state tournament they had lost only three games, one less than in the horrific start, in setting a school record with a 13-3-3 mark.

The Raiders let everyone know quickly that this season would start better as they fought back from a 1-0 deficit to win their opener 2-1 against arch rival Westfield. Leading the effort were two freshmen, goalie Lauren Mains and midfielder Allie Hambleton who scored the tying goal. Mains followed that up with a 3-0 whitewash of long time nemesis Cranford. It was the first time in school history that the Raiders had beaten those two schools in the same season and was the springboard to a 6-0 start.

“It was important to start fast to build the kids’ confidence,“ said Ewing. Although he had seven returning starters, only two were seniors, co-captains Chelsea Mintz and Michelle Fischer. The competition for playing time was extremely competitive and was intensified by four freshmen starters, Mains, Hambleton,and defensive players Allie Zazzali and Lauren Weisbrod. A fifth freshman Lisa Carmada also saw extensive playing time.

“The freshmen brought a lot of energy and ability. Their skill and understanding of the game was a real plus,” said Ewing.

After their unbeaten streak was snapped at six in a 2-0 road loss to eventual group 4 runner-up, Bridgewater Raritan, the girls started losing players in bunches. Kristen Zyla, the hero of an earlier victory over Piscataway went down for the season. Starting halfback Hallie Mintz missed much of the season with an ankle injury. Weisbrod, the starting sweeper, also was injured after the Bridgewater game and never returned. Starting midfielder Kelly Rigano, Fischer and Hambleton all missed several games but the team kept winning behind tremendous depth which brought forward new heroes.

At the height of the injury jinx the girls came up with some of their best efforts in road rematches at Cranford and Westfield, beating the Cougars 3-0 and tying the Blue Devils 0-0. The defense was the strength of the team. Only once did the Raiders give up more than one goal. Zazzali, who played every position but goalie moved to sweeper and
along with junior fullbacks Lauren Perrotta and Carly Wells teamed with Chelsea Mintz to allow only four goals in the last twelve games.

Zazzali was never overwhelmed by her responsibilities.
“I had played a lot of club soccer prior to this year, so I had a chance to play with Michelle Fisher and some of the older girls before the season started. Michelle and Chelsea Mintz were great Captains because they made us feel we were part of the Team right from the start ,” said Zazzali whose brother Eddie was a three year starter for the boys team.

The scoring was balanced with juniors Jenna Balestriere and Jessie Sapienza providing speed from the wings. Slowed by injuries Fischer was not able to match her junior year scoring totals but was a constant threat. Junior Carlene Bronikowski contributed several big goals. Seniors Katie Bantz, Kristen Bover, and Nicole Diauria and juniors Jeanette Franzone, Monique Morales, Megan Kelly also made numerous contributions.

Still the offense came up short in several key games at the end of the season. After defeating Elizabeth in the first round of the Union County tournament the second seeded Raiders were upset by seventh seeded Governor Livingston 1-0. They were also held scoreless in regulation time in their state tournament opener against Montgomery but Balestriere won it with a goal in sudden death overtime setting the stage for the disappointing ending against Millburn.

Even so Ewing was pleased.
“I feel we met our expectations. Obviously it is disappointing losing in the counties and states. We lost to three teams this year. Those losses show that we obviously need some work even though they were good teams. We need to just keep on improving as a team,”
said Ewing.

Chelsea Mintz added, “They’re going to be terrific next year. It would be nice to have been part of it”.