By Wayne Witkowski
Jackson Liberty High School’s girls soccer team took its lumps last season, as coach Sarah Hayek built for the future by starting four or five freshmen.
But many players return, as the Lions bid for a competitive season.
“It’s been a slow preseason with a very young team,” Hayek said. “We’re rebuilding and putting the pieces together, and it’s been working out well. In [the Shore Conference] B South [Division], I think we’ll be fine. There’s a lot of potential for the future of the program.”
The Lions scrimmaged against Manalapan High School, Raritan High School, Ocean Township High School and South Brunswick High School.
But some of that potential was achieved fast, as the Lions won their first two games, 6-2, over Donovan Catholic High School Sept. 8 and 3-0 over Mater Dei Prep Sept. 10. Veteran forward Samantha Yorke struck for two goals in each game.
“She had quite a few goals last year. We expect her to be in that position and do well,” Hayek said.
Hayek, a Hall of Fame player at Rider University, said success begins in the back, where she has junior goalkeeper Alex Quanzie working her way back from knee surgery at the end of last year. She had 16 saves in the opener, as the Lions took a 3-1 halftime lead. Kristina Gonza, a freshman goalkeeper on the junior varsity team, will be available for the varsity team if Quanzie needs a breather, and she played in the closing minutes against Mater Dei.
Only two seniors start in the field, but one of them is on defense: outside back Bethany Olejarz. She is joined by two of the players who started as freshmen last year: Amber McGee on the outside and Dia DeJohn at sweeper. Maeve Carney, a junior, is the stopper in the 4-4-2 formation.
Jessica Thaler, the other senior and a returning starter, plays as a center midfielder with junior Bailey Keenan, another returning starter. Sophomores Liz Menafra and Lena Monteleone start on the outside.
Yorke and Hailey McGee, who is Amber’s twin sister, return at forward where they both started last year. Hailey McGee, Keenan and sophomore outside midfielder Caitlyn O’Connor, who rotated into the lineup off the bench, fired in goals in the opening victory.
Yorke scored off a scramble in front of the goal against Mater Dei, and Thaler put a 25-yard shot in the back of the net before Yorke closed the scoring off a shot from short range set up by a through pass.
“I’m excited to see how this group does this year,” Hayek said.
Depth becomes an issue, as Christina Mamrega can step into the lineup on defense, but Hayek otherwise plans to stick mostly with her lineup.
This week, Jackson Liberty this week plays three road games. It started with a scheduled contest against Lacey Township High School Sept. 12, followed by Point Pleasant Borough High School Sept. 14. The Lions play Barnegat High School Sept. 16 and host Pinelands Regional High School Sept. 20.
Jackson Memorial wins opener
Alyssa Fernandez, a junior, scored twice and freshman Natalie Knauf put in the other when the Jaguars opened their season with a 3-0 victory Sept. 9 over Shore Conference A South Division rival Brick Memorial High School.
Junior goalkeeper Kylie Sullivan turned away five shots.
The Jaguars played at Toms River High School South Sept. 12 before returning home for the next three games. They hosted Southern Regional High School Sept. 14 and play Toms River High School North Sept. 16 and Toms River High School East Sept. 20 — all division games
