U14 Spring Game 6

In weather more appropriate for late March, the Scotch Plains Blue Sharks U12 Girls intercounty team concluded their spring regular season with a 1-0 loss to Kenilworth at frigid Rahway River Park on Tuesday May 24. The defeat snapped a five game unbeaten streak and left the Sharks with a 3-3-2 mark against U14 competition.

After starting the season with two defeats the Sharks gave up just three goals in their final six games and showed themselves able to compete against teams that were on average two years older and much bigger.

Melissa McKenna was once again spectacular in goal, giving up just one goal and making several spectacular saves.

Other standouts for the Sharks included Sarah Weber, Lauren Berk, Sarah Lazarus, Toni Ann Capece Kara Gaynor Jessica Feeley, Lauren Buckley, Emily Cohen, Amanda Rodriguez, Alyssa Young, Jessica DiGiacomo, Erin Brown, Rebecca DiGiacomo, Annie Rubin and Desli DeMarsico.

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U14 Spring Game 5

It was a scoreless game that did not lack for action as the Scotch Plains Blue Sharks U12 Girls intercounty team battled their U14 Cranford opponent, Sunday at School One

The game was played in a downpour in the first half and sunshine in the second half and the slippery ball resulted in numerous chances for each team.

Kara Gaynor shared goalkeeping duties with Melissa McKenna to combine for the shutout. They were helped by the sturdy defense of Lauren Berk, Sarah Lazarus, Toni Ann Capece and Sarah Weber. Capece made a game saving play in the waning minutes when she cleared a ball from in front of the goal.

Other standouts for the Sharks included Jessica Feeley, Lauren Buckley, Emily Cohen, Amanda Rodriguez, Alyssa Young, Jessica DiGiacomo, Erin Brown, Rebecca DiGiacomo, Annie Rubin and Desli DeMarsico

U14 Spring Game 4

The Scotch Plains Blue Sharks U12 Girls intercounty team out hustled, out dribbled and
out passed a taller Westfield U14 team to win their third straight game, 2-1 at Nomahegan Field Sunday.

The victory improved the Sharks, who have moved up from U12, to 3-2-1.
Westfield scored first on a long kick that took a strange bounce on the hard field and eluded goalie, Melissa McKenna. The Sharks were not discouraged and quickly evened the score as Amanda Rodriguez took a pass from Sarah Lazarus and eluded two defenders for a breakaway goal that left the teams even at halftime.

The Sharks were rewarded for their fine play when Erin Brown converted a direct kick from twenty yards out. McKenna saved the victory when she leaped high to tip away an apparent Westfield goal in the waning minutes.

In addition to the great play of McKenna, and the aforementioned players, there was a total team effort that included Lauren Berk, Toni Ann Capece, Sarah Weber, Alyssa Young, Jessica DiGiacomo, Kara Gaynor, Rebecca DiGiacomo, Jessica Feeley, Annie Rubin, Lauren Buckley and Desli DeMarsi

U14 Spring Game 3

The Scotch Plains Blue Sharks U12 Girls intercounty team used a similar formula of airtight defense, clutch goalkeeping and opportunistic offense to win their second straight game against a U14 Scotch Plains opponent, edging the Scotch Plains Rigano 1-0, Saturday at School One

Emily Cohen’s goal midway through the second half decided the tight battle, which was played in extremely windy conditions. Until then each team had several chances to score with the Sharks enjoying a small territorial advantage. Goalie, Melissa McKenna, once again abetted by the sturdy defense of Lauren Berk, Sarah Lazarus, Toni Ann Capece and Sarah Weber stopped everything as the Sharks were able to hold on to improve their record to 2-2-1.

Leading the losing team was forward Stephanie Baier and midfielder Caitlin Hoynes-O’Connor.
Other standouts for the Sharks included Amanda Rodriguez, Alyssa Young, Jessica DiGiacomo, Erin Brown, Kara Gaynor, Rebecca DiGiacomo, Jessica Feeley, and Desli DeMarsico

U14 Spring Game 2

The first day of May was also a day of many firsts for the Scotch Plains Blue Sharks U12 Girls intercounty team. They took their first lead of the spring and more importantly held it for their first win as they won 2-1 against the Scotch Plains U14 Armstrong team Sunday at School One. It was a rematch of an earlier season battle that had ended in a scoreless tie.

This time the Sharks were able to convert their opportunities, striking just before the end of the first half on a breakaway goal by Amanda Rodriguez and early in the second half on a hard shot by Alyssa Young.

With their outstanding goalie, Melissa McKenna, abetted by a sturdy defense of Lauren Berk, Lauren Buckley, Sarah Lazarus and Sarah Weber the Sharks were able to hold on to improve their record to 1-2-1.

Other standouts included Jessica DiGiacomo, Erin Brown, Kara Gaynor, Sarah Weber, Emily Cohen, Rebecca DiGiacomo, Annie Rubin, and Desli DeMarsico.