Crusaders' Sobierajski is Player of the Year
MOUNTAIN LAKES _ Morris Catholic's Tara Sobierajski was named Player of the Year and Villa Walsh's Rudy Simek earned Coach of the Year honors at the Morris County Girls Soccer Association annual banquet on Tuesday, Jan. 8 at Zeris Inn.
from throughout Morris County were feted for their efforts during the Morris County season which included one state championship team (Morris Catholic), one sectional state champion (Roxbury) and Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference champions: Liberty Division (Villa Walsh), Independence Division (Kinnelon/Morris Catholic) and National Division (Randolph).
Simek leaves VW while on top
MORRISTOWN _ There will be no more Villa Walsh business trips for Rudy Simek.
The Vikings' coach liked to call his team's away games "business trips.'' After 13 successful seasons, Simek recently concluded his business with the school, leaving the soccer program at the top of its game.
M. Catholic adds to fine history
EWING _ Morris Catholic rekindled some of its soccer glory and may have experienced the passing of a goal-scoring torch.
Freshman Rachel Mills headed in a Tara Sobierajski corner kick with 3:09 remaining in regulation to lift Morris Catholic to a 1-0 triumph over St. Rose of Belmar in the Non-Public B Final held on the turf at The College of New Jersey on Wednesday, Nov. 28.
Gaels' state tourney run ends
RAMSEY _ The score from Roxbury's scrimmage against Northern Highlands escaped Gaels goalie Melanie Lopez.
Lopez, a freshman, took a moment and tried to remember the outcome and seemed to think Roxbury fell, 4-0, to the defending state champion Highlanders.
Migoya's goal spurs Crusaders
MORRISTOWN _ Morris Catholic and Villa Walsh battled for two games, nearly 198 minutes total, without either team putting the soccer ball in the back of the net. One quick decision and the right foot of the Crusaders' Amanda Migoya changed all that.
The junior forward knocked in a rebound of a Tara Sobierajski's direct kick with 2:02 left in the second overtime period to lift Morris Catholic to a 1-0 triumph over Villa Walsh in the North Non Public B final held on the turf at Villa Walsh Academy on Tuesday, Nov. 20.
Roxbury victorious in shootout
MOUNT OLIVE _ The penalty kick Brittany Casola made as a freshman in a state tournament quarterfinal against Ridgewood required absolutely no thought.
Back then, Casola was at the beginning of her high school career and more carefree about high-tension situations.
Rams exit state tournament
RANDOLPH _ It took an amazing kick and a perfectly placed shot to eliminate Randolph from the state tournament.
Kayla Jennings' forceful volley of a Deja Davis cross with 4:23 left in the second 10-minute overtime period lifted Montclair to a 3-2 triumph over Randolph in a thrilling North 1, Group IV semifinal on the Rams' turf field on Friday, Nov. 16.
Gaels are alive and kicking
ROXBURY _ Three pairs of different colored cleats sat in an unruly pile under the Roxbury bench.
Their owner, Paige Monaghan, wanted them there just in case her lucky shoes fell apart while still on her feet. It's fortunate for the Gaels that their talented forward can keep her backups on the bench for another game.
Vikings take care of business
ROXBURY _ The Villa Walsh girls soccer team likes to call away games business trips.
On Saturday, Oct. 27, the Vikings acquired a banner and some hardware for their business-like efforts.
Randolph earns right to defend
DENVILLE _ Every soccer match is won through the results of numerous little battles.
Midfielders like Dana Shalit and Maria Fairfield are experts at winning those battles.
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