Game 1 New Providence

The Scotch Plains Blue Sharks U12 Girls Intercounty soccer team hardly looked like a team that had barely practiced. Showing midseason form in their season opener, the Sharks got scoring from six different players to overwhelm New Providence on Sunday, September 12 at School One Scotch Plains.

Amanda Rodriguez got the scoring parade started when she hit a hard left footed shot from short range. Annie Rubin made it 2-0 when she stole a pass and dribbled in to beat the goalie. Erin Brown hit a hard high shot from about 15 yards to make it 3-0 and Sarah Lazarus also used her left foot to score with a high hard shot from short range. Alyssa Young converted with a low hard shot and Desli DeMarsico completed the rout with a goal on a nice low shot that padded the lead before the first half ended.

The defense led by goalie Melissa McKenna and sweeper Lauren Berk was able to keep New Providence off the scoreboard. With a big lead, the Blue sharks were able to liberally substitute throughout the second half and played more of a possession game to limit any attempts of a comeback.

In addition to the aforementioned scorers Lauren Buckley, Emily Cohen, Jessica DiGiacomo , Rebecca DiGiacomo Toni-Ann Capece, Kara Gaynor and Sarah Weber were instrumental in advancing the ball and defending against any counterattacks.