Sunday, June 02, 2002
Westfield (0-0)
For the second time this spring the Scotch Plains Power U12 girls soccer team met a previously unbeaten,untied team and put the first blemish on their record. But like the earlier 0-0 tie with the Scotch Plains Thunderbolts, Sunday’s 0-0 tie at Westfield against the Lions was disappointing in the missed offensive opportunities.
Although the Power now sport a 5-1-2 record with only two goals allowed,further success has been denied by a lack of offense. In five of their eight games they have scored one goal or fewer but an airtight defense has allowed them to remain in the upper echelon of the league with one game remaining,Thursday at 6:15 against the Cranford Rockets at Orange Avenue School.
The defensive heroes were many,led by Mary Henkels,who started in the goal and moved up to fullback, Jessica Santos,who has yet to allow a goal all year and regular goalie Allie Thek,who heroicaly played goal in the second half despite a bruised finger.
The other fullbacks Jaclyn Lazarus,Maria Rivero and Lindsay Traiman were solid as usual with an assist from sweeper Cecilia Osterman.Halfbacks Caitlin Daly,Danielle Wood and Nicole Colineri helped the Power dominate the midfield. Kristen Lamertson, Diana Caicedo, Avery Boettcher, Courtney Baines kept the pressure on the Westifled defense all day.
Although the Power now sport a 5-1-2 record with only two goals allowed,further success has been denied by a lack of offense. In five of their eight games they have scored one goal or fewer but an airtight defense has allowed them to remain in the upper echelon of the league with one game remaining,Thursday at 6:15 against the Cranford Rockets at Orange Avenue School.
The defensive heroes were many,led by Mary Henkels,who started in the goal and moved up to fullback, Jessica Santos,who has yet to allow a goal all year and regular goalie Allie Thek,who heroicaly played goal in the second half despite a bruised finger.
The other fullbacks Jaclyn Lazarus,Maria Rivero and Lindsay Traiman were solid as usual with an assist from sweeper Cecilia Osterman.Halfbacks Caitlin Daly,Danielle Wood and Nicole Colineri helped the Power dominate the midfield. Kristen Lamertson, Diana Caicedo, Avery Boettcher, Courtney Baines kept the pressure on the Westifled defense all day.
Monday, May 20, 2002
New Providence (3-0)
It was a game that came very close to getting postponed but on Mother’s Day the Scotch Plains Power U12 girls’ soccer team was rewarded for their diligence by defeating the aptly named New Providence Storm 3-0 at Lincoln Field, New Providence. The Power improved to 5-1-1 with their sixth shutout of the spring but it was far from easy.
With a forecast of a chilly rain that would get heavier later in the day, there was some questioning the wisdom of playing the game. When it began thundering only ten minutes before game time the contest looked very much in doubt as the referee sent the teams back to their cars to wait out conditions. After being assured by the national weather service that conditions would improve over the next two hours the teams were able to start fifteen minutes late.
The Power seemed distracted by the poor conditions and was unable to convert many good chances in the first half. The Storm never threatened a cadre of first half goalies, Mary Henkels, Cecilia Osterman and Avery Boettcher as the half ended scoreless.
Diana Caicedo finally broke the deadlock ten minutes into the half with a high arcing shot over the New Providence goalie. Boettcher, Henkels, Jaclyn Lazarus and Caicedo helped maintain the shutout with stellar help from fullbacks Henkels,Lindsay Traiman,Lazarus and Maria Rivero and sweeper Osterman. Danielle Wood gave the Power some breathing room midway through the half,converting a loose ball. Lazarus,after a ten minute stint in goal, completed the scoring with a hard low shot into the corner from 15 yards away with five minutes left.
For the second straight week the Power were limited to an iron group of 11 players who all played the entire game. Kristen Lambertson contributed solid work up front while Caitlin Daly and Nicole Colineri were dominant in midfield.
The Power next play on Sunday against Westfield.
With a forecast of a chilly rain that would get heavier later in the day, there was some questioning the wisdom of playing the game. When it began thundering only ten minutes before game time the contest looked very much in doubt as the referee sent the teams back to their cars to wait out conditions. After being assured by the national weather service that conditions would improve over the next two hours the teams were able to start fifteen minutes late.
The Power seemed distracted by the poor conditions and was unable to convert many good chances in the first half. The Storm never threatened a cadre of first half goalies, Mary Henkels, Cecilia Osterman and Avery Boettcher as the half ended scoreless.
Diana Caicedo finally broke the deadlock ten minutes into the half with a high arcing shot over the New Providence goalie. Boettcher, Henkels, Jaclyn Lazarus and Caicedo helped maintain the shutout with stellar help from fullbacks Henkels,Lindsay Traiman,Lazarus and Maria Rivero and sweeper Osterman. Danielle Wood gave the Power some breathing room midway through the half,converting a loose ball. Lazarus,after a ten minute stint in goal, completed the scoring with a hard low shot into the corner from 15 yards away with five minutes left.
For the second straight week the Power were limited to an iron group of 11 players who all played the entire game. Kristen Lambertson contributed solid work up front while Caitlin Daly and Nicole Colineri were dominant in midfield.
The Power next play on Sunday against Westfield.
Wednesday, May 08, 2002
Cranford Chaos 1-0
Throughout the season, the Scotch Plains Power U12 girls soccer team has fought through adversity and summoned up the resolve to be successful. Saturday, May 4 tested even their mettle but the Power managed to survive a game and determined Cranford Chaos team to score a 1-0 win and up their record to 4-1-1. Including five shutouts.
With an injury to one player and three other players away on a Girl Scout trip the team was reduced to eleven players who all had to play the entire game on a warm spring afternoon. Making things even more challenging was the unavailability of their brilliant goalie Allie Thek, who could not play goal due to a broken finger.
The goalie duties were shared by Jessica Santos,Nicole Colineri and Mary Henkels. Colineri showed her versatility by scoring the game’s lone goal ten minutes into the second half off a wild scramble in front of the goal. After that the defense of Jaclyn Lazarus, Maria Rivero,Lindsay Traiman and Henkels turned back some determined Cranford counterattacks.
The midfield of Colineri,Caitlin Daly, Danielle Wood and Santos worked hard to create chances and gave the Power a decided territorial advantage.
Were it not for excellent goaltending and a little bad luck, Diana Caicedo
Would have had a beautiful goal in the second half. She sparkled at right forward and teamed well with Thek and Kristen Lambertson.
With an injury to one player and three other players away on a Girl Scout trip the team was reduced to eleven players who all had to play the entire game on a warm spring afternoon. Making things even more challenging was the unavailability of their brilliant goalie Allie Thek, who could not play goal due to a broken finger.
The goalie duties were shared by Jessica Santos,Nicole Colineri and Mary Henkels. Colineri showed her versatility by scoring the game’s lone goal ten minutes into the second half off a wild scramble in front of the goal. After that the defense of Jaclyn Lazarus, Maria Rivero,Lindsay Traiman and Henkels turned back some determined Cranford counterattacks.
The midfield of Colineri,Caitlin Daly, Danielle Wood and Santos worked hard to create chances and gave the Power a decided territorial advantage.
Were it not for excellent goaltending and a little bad luck, Diana Caicedo
Would have had a beautiful goal in the second half. She sparkled at right forward and teamed well with Thek and Kristen Lambertson.
Saturday, April 20, 2002
Thunderbolts 0-0 tie
Whenever the Thunderbolts and Power, the two ScotchPlains teams in the intercounty girls' U12 soccerleague meet a fast paced exciting game with fewgoals can be expected. Last fall the teams met threetimes with only five goals scored which resulted intwo 1-1 ties and a 1-0 Thunderbolts' victory.
The most recent encounter of Saturday April 20 was noexception as the teams slogged through a rainy muddyApril afternoon to a 0-0 tie at Terrill Field ScotchPlains. The reult left both teams unbeaten andunscored upon.
The Power have now compiled fourshutouts but this was easily the biggest challengetheir defense encountered and goalie Allie Thek was upto the task making several great saves in the secondhalf.
The Thunderbolts were unable to connect on apenalty kick with about 10 minutes left. Just prior tothat Bolts' goalie Sarah Pace had robbed Danielle Woodof what would have been the goal of the year. Wood hita hard volley kick from 15 yards that Pace somehow wasable to block.The Power held their own in the first half with thedefense of Jaclyn Lazarus,Jessica Santos,Maria Riveroand Mary Henkels excelling in front of Thek.
Themidfield of Caitlin Daly,Nicole Colineri and Woodworked tirelessly to provide chance to the line ofCecilia Osterman,Avery Boettcher, CourtneyBaines,Diana Caicedo and Kristen Lambertson.In the second half Lambertson and Osterman moved overto the defensive side and excelled. Still it wasThek's brilliance that kept the game tied. With onlytwo short breaks when Santos and Wood filled in ,Thekwas the story.The same two teams meet again this Saturday at a siteand time to be determined.
The most recent encounter of Saturday April 20 was noexception as the teams slogged through a rainy muddyApril afternoon to a 0-0 tie at Terrill Field ScotchPlains. The reult left both teams unbeaten andunscored upon.
The Power have now compiled fourshutouts but this was easily the biggest challengetheir defense encountered and goalie Allie Thek was upto the task making several great saves in the secondhalf.
The Thunderbolts were unable to connect on apenalty kick with about 10 minutes left. Just prior tothat Bolts' goalie Sarah Pace had robbed Danielle Woodof what would have been the goal of the year. Wood hita hard volley kick from 15 yards that Pace somehow wasable to block.The Power held their own in the first half with thedefense of Jaclyn Lazarus,Jessica Santos,Maria Riveroand Mary Henkels excelling in front of Thek.
Themidfield of Caitlin Daly,Nicole Colineri and Woodworked tirelessly to provide chance to the line ofCecilia Osterman,Avery Boettcher, CourtneyBaines,Diana Caicedo and Kristen Lambertson.In the second half Lambertson and Osterman moved overto the defensive side and excelled. Still it wasThek's brilliance that kept the game tied. With onlytwo short breaks when Santos and Wood filled in ,Thekwas the story.The same two teams meet again this Saturday at a siteand time to be determined.
Monday, November 19, 2001
Thunderbolts 0-1
On yet another warm dry November weekend,the two Scotch Plains U12 girls soccer teams, the Power and the Thunderbolts concluded their fall campaigns the way it had begun two months earlier, with a spirited battle at Terrill Middle School field. This time the Thunderbolts held off a spirited and short handed Power team to win a 1-0 squeaker.
In the first game in September the Thunderbolts had scored first but the Power scored late in the game to forge a 1-1 tie. This would be the only blemish on the Thunderbolts' season as they roared through their next 8 games, outscoring their opposition 36-2. Although the Thunderbolts had clinched the title with a victory the day before over Mountainside the game Sunday was a chance to avenge the earlier tie,while the Power needed a win to finish second.
As the game started it looked like this might be another one sided Thunderbolts win. The Power
were missing two key starters and had to put several players in different positions. Additionally they had only eleven players against 16 for their opponents so everyone had to play the entire game. Like the first game, The Thunderbolts struck first as Alexis Jegede put a loose ball into the goal midway through the first half.
The Thunderbolts continued to pressure the Power goal but Allie Thek made several key saves
to keep the game close. When Thek was moved to midfield the Power perked up and started to pressure the Thunderbolt goal. Just before the end of the first half Mary Henkels' speed and hustle stopped a second goal by kicking the ball out of the Power goal.
The second half featured spirited play on both sides as the Thunderbolts tried for a knockout second goal and the Power came breathtakingly close to tying on several occasions. TBolt goalie Sarah Pace was tested several times but came up with key saves.
In addition to Henkels, Jaclyn Lazarus,Kristan Lambertson and Maria Rivero provided sterling defense. Nicole Colineri,Caitlin Daly and Christina Del Monaco worked tirelessly in midfield and Diana Caicedo,Cecilia Osterman and Danielle Wood threatened on offense. Del Monaco and Daly also filled in at goalie when Thek was moved to the midfield.
Despite the season ending loss, the Power could look back on a successful season of 6 wins 2 losses and 2 ties. The defense allowed only 3 goals through the first seven games with four shutouts. For the season they outscored the opposition 25-10 They would also like to congratulate their town rivals the Thunderbolts for a tremendous 9-0-1 championship season.
In the first game in September the Thunderbolts had scored first but the Power scored late in the game to forge a 1-1 tie. This would be the only blemish on the Thunderbolts' season as they roared through their next 8 games, outscoring their opposition 36-2. Although the Thunderbolts had clinched the title with a victory the day before over Mountainside the game Sunday was a chance to avenge the earlier tie,while the Power needed a win to finish second.
As the game started it looked like this might be another one sided Thunderbolts win. The Power
were missing two key starters and had to put several players in different positions. Additionally they had only eleven players against 16 for their opponents so everyone had to play the entire game. Like the first game, The Thunderbolts struck first as Alexis Jegede put a loose ball into the goal midway through the first half.
The Thunderbolts continued to pressure the Power goal but Allie Thek made several key saves
to keep the game close. When Thek was moved to midfield the Power perked up and started to pressure the Thunderbolt goal. Just before the end of the first half Mary Henkels' speed and hustle stopped a second goal by kicking the ball out of the Power goal.
The second half featured spirited play on both sides as the Thunderbolts tried for a knockout second goal and the Power came breathtakingly close to tying on several occasions. TBolt goalie Sarah Pace was tested several times but came up with key saves.
In addition to Henkels, Jaclyn Lazarus,Kristan Lambertson and Maria Rivero provided sterling defense. Nicole Colineri,Caitlin Daly and Christina Del Monaco worked tirelessly in midfield and Diana Caicedo,Cecilia Osterman and Danielle Wood threatened on offense. Del Monaco and Daly also filled in at goalie when Thek was moved to the midfield.
Despite the season ending loss, the Power could look back on a successful season of 6 wins 2 losses and 2 ties. The defense allowed only 3 goals through the first seven games with four shutouts. For the season they outscored the opposition 25-10 They would also like to congratulate their town rivals the Thunderbolts for a tremendous 9-0-1 championship season.
Monday, November 12, 2001
Mountainside and Colonia
The Scotch Plains Power U12 girls soccer team bounced back from their first loss of the year
on Saturday , by rallying for two second half goals Sunday and defeating Colonia 3-2. The weekend began ominously as the Power saw their unbeaten streak end at 7 with a 3-1 defeat against the tough Mountainside Lightning Rods. Reeling from the loss of several key players, the Power fell behind in the middle of the first half as Mountainside struck for three goals in 10 minutes. The Power regained their composure in the second half and dominated play. Kristan Lambertson put them on the board with her first goal of the season. Several attempts to draw closer were turned back. Jessica Santos and Cecelia Osterman sparkled in goal in the second half and Allie Thek added some needed offensive punch but time ran out on the power.
The Power had no time to dwell on their loss as on Sunday they celebrated Veteran's Day with a battle against the equally tough Colonia Hurricane. The teams had fought to a 1-1 tie two weeks ago at Soccerfest. Just like that game,Colonia drew first blood as a hard shot deflected off a Power player and into the goal. Danielle Wood got the Power even midway through the half when she converted on a breakaway. A gusty wind played havoc with the ball but the Power managed to get to halftime tied and could look forward to having the wind at their backs for the second half.
But it was Colonia that broke back on top again as a long shot got caught in a wind gust and curved away from goalie Allie Thek who was otherwise brilliant, making several miraculous saves. Caitlin Daly, who was sorely missed in Saturday's loss, and had a tremendous all around game,took matters in her own hands by scoring two goals from short range and the Power held on from there. Santos again contributed some timely goalkeeping but it was Thek who played the majority of the game in abysmal conditions and kept Colonia off the scoreboard.
The defense led by Maria Rivero,Jaclyn Lazarus and Lindsay Traiman had a busy day stopping numerous Colonia offensive thrusts.The midfield of Mary Henkels,Christina DelMonaco and Daly kept the ball moving to the offense while also playing defense. Cece Osterman,Wood,Lambertson and Diana Caicedo kept the pressure on the Colonia goal.
https://home.comcast.net/~lazarusd/soccerteampics/power.jpg
The Power conclude the fall portion of their season with a big meeting against their town rivals, the first place Scotch Plains Thunderbolts on Sunday at one pm at Terrill Middle School.
on Saturday , by rallying for two second half goals Sunday and defeating Colonia 3-2. The weekend began ominously as the Power saw their unbeaten streak end at 7 with a 3-1 defeat against the tough Mountainside Lightning Rods. Reeling from the loss of several key players, the Power fell behind in the middle of the first half as Mountainside struck for three goals in 10 minutes. The Power regained their composure in the second half and dominated play. Kristan Lambertson put them on the board with her first goal of the season. Several attempts to draw closer were turned back. Jessica Santos and Cecelia Osterman sparkled in goal in the second half and Allie Thek added some needed offensive punch but time ran out on the power.
The Power had no time to dwell on their loss as on Sunday they celebrated Veteran's Day with a battle against the equally tough Colonia Hurricane. The teams had fought to a 1-1 tie two weeks ago at Soccerfest. Just like that game,Colonia drew first blood as a hard shot deflected off a Power player and into the goal. Danielle Wood got the Power even midway through the half when she converted on a breakaway. A gusty wind played havoc with the ball but the Power managed to get to halftime tied and could look forward to having the wind at their backs for the second half.
But it was Colonia that broke back on top again as a long shot got caught in a wind gust and curved away from goalie Allie Thek who was otherwise brilliant, making several miraculous saves. Caitlin Daly, who was sorely missed in Saturday's loss, and had a tremendous all around game,took matters in her own hands by scoring two goals from short range and the Power held on from there. Santos again contributed some timely goalkeeping but it was Thek who played the majority of the game in abysmal conditions and kept Colonia off the scoreboard.
The defense led by Maria Rivero,Jaclyn Lazarus and Lindsay Traiman had a busy day stopping numerous Colonia offensive thrusts.The midfield of Mary Henkels,Christina DelMonaco and Daly kept the ball moving to the offense while also playing defense. Cece Osterman,Wood,Lambertson and Diana Caicedo kept the pressure on the Colonia goal.
https://home.comcast.net/~lazarusd/soccerteampics/power.jpg
The Power conclude the fall portion of their season with a big meeting against their town rivals, the first place Scotch Plains Thunderbolts on Sunday at one pm at Terrill Middle School.
