Piners look strong in state tournament play
Jackson, Howell girls eliminated in quarterfinal round
BY MIKE WHITE
Staff Writer

PHOTOS BY CHRIS KELLY staff Above, Lakewood’s Anthony Plascencia tires to get a shot past Colts Neck goalie Matt Novielli during a Central Jersey Group II quarterfinal in Lakewood on Friday. At left, the Piners’ Ellory Malhi and the Cougars’ Thomas Cholula both try to get their heads on the ball.

LAKEWOOD — The Lakewood High School boys soccer team registered its first win in the state tournament since 1991 with a 2-0 shutout over Colts Neck last Friday in a Central Jersey Group III quarterfinal game.

“They’re good,” Colts Neck Art Collier said of Lakewood. “They have a lot of speed. They were bigger, faster and stronger than us. We’re young and we hung in there with them.”

Goalie Matt Novielli kept the Cougars in the quarterfinal match in Lakewood, playing his usual spectacular game in net. While the young Cougars were hanging tough with the Shore Conference B South Division champions, the Piners kept control of the ball in the Colts Neck third of the field for most of the game.

The Piners were clicking with short passes and keeping the ball in their possession. Their spacing and use of the width of the field had the Cougars on the defense. Lakewood also used its size to attack the goal on corner kicks and win the 50/50s in the air.

With all the pressure coming from the Piners, it seemed that sooner or later they would cash in on one of their countless chances. It was later rather than sooner as Novielli continually held them at bay.

Following a scoreless first half, Lakewood got on the board during the 68th minute on a goal by Ted Macconchie.

Tim Jacobs set up the score with a long throw in into the box. After a scramble for the ball, Macconchie came up with it and blasted it past the Colts Neck goalie for the game winner.

“This team has fought hard all year,” Lakewood coach Gene Drumright said. “They never give up. They play with their all from the opening minute.”

Jorge Quevedo scored Lakewood’s second goal in the second half on an assist by teammate Anthony Plascenia.

Charlie Cunliffe and Mike Taggart split time in goal to register the shutout.

Lakewood squared off against Wall High School Tuesday in the semifinals.

Jax girls close season with appearance in states

It was a banner year for the Jackson High School girls soccer team.

The Lady Jags, who have struggled the past few years, finished the 2004 season with an overall mark of 10-7-1, which included wins in both the Shore Conference (SC) Tournament and Central Jersey Group IV playoffs.

Last week, Jackson knocked off Colts Neck 3-0 in a state tournament first-round game.

Freshman Kelly Lyons, Kierstyn Mabey and Jordan Bunch scored Jackson’s goals. Jenna Schauder made six saves in goal.

“For an opening-round game, I thought we were very poised,” Gibson said. “We took full advantage of the opportunities that were given us. Defensively, we did a solid job of limiting scoring chances.”

The Lady Jags then put a scare into top-seeded Middletown North in the second round. Jackson, the No. 9 seed, darted to an early 1-0 lead on a first-half goal by Lyons.

However, a more experienced Middletown North squad recovered and scored twice to escape with a 2-1 victory.

Jackson coach Drew Gibson was delighted with his team’s performance against the top seed.

“Just a week earlier we suffered a 7-1 loss to them in the Shore Conference Tournament,” Gibson said. “But the girls came back and didn’t let that loss affect them in this game. We remained composed and played a great game.”

Gibson cited the leadership skills of seniors Kate Schauder, Erin Kennedy and Christina Wessels, and junior Carly Ferro, as a key component to this year’s success.

“We started five freshmen this year and we needed to have leadership from our seniors,” Gibson said. “Those girls did a great job of taking the underclassmen under their wings.”

With five freshmen and a couple of talented sophomores the future looks bright for Jackson.

“We have a lot of kids coming back,” Gibson said. “Not only that, but they’ve been through a lot this season. That kind of experience will come in handy next year.”

Howell girls put up a fight

in state tourney

Last year, Howell got hot late in the season and it carried over to the playoffs, where they were a surprise finalist, losing to Brick Memorial.

The Rebels started November much the same way as a team on a roll at playoff time.

Howell stayed on its roll in the first round, beating fourth-seeded Sayreville, 1-0, on a Joanna Montefinesse goal in the first 16 minutes of the match. That was enough for goalie Christine Rourke and it was on to the quarters for the 12th seed.

Howell drew Steinert in the next round on Thursday, and the teams battled to a 1-1 tie through regulation. Officials called the Steinert field unplayable for the overtime and the two teams returned to Steinert on Friday. This time, the game was decided in regulation, with Steinert coming away with a 1-0 victory.

The Rebels, 0-5-2 at one time this season, concluded the season with a 9-7-1 record.