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.
