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Freehold Township expects encore girls’ soccer season

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The Freehold Township High School girls’ soccer team  enjoyed a magical–and highly successful–2017 season.

The Patriots went 23-1-1, won the Shore Conference A North Division, the Central Jersey, Group 4 state sectional tournament championship and then they claimed the Group 4 state title.

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That team had nine seniors, including seven starters. One returning starter, goalkeeper Alessia LaRosa, is out until at least mid-September with an ACL injury. Without LaRosa, the Patriots will open 2018 with just three returning starters.

Freehold Township starts the season at Shore Regional High School Sept. 4 in West Long Branch.

In its final game of the 2017 season, Freehold Township and Ridge High School battled to a scoreless tie in the Group 4 state final on Nov. 18 at Kean University in Union. That result led to both schools to be declared co-state champions. In the 2015 Group 4 final, that same scene had also also occurred when Freehold Township and Ridge played to a 0-0 tie to share the state championship.

“It’s hard to say how we’ll do, losing that many key players. It will be hard to replace the seniors we had. But we are bringing back quite a bit of talent as well,” said Freehold Township coach David Patterson. “It’s more about what are the other guys going to bring to the table? Will they be ready? Our schedule is very challenging. We will also have to see what happens with our goalkeeping situation with Alessia out.”

Center back Jessica Judge, midfielder Deanna D’Amico and center midfielder Gabby Zuczek are the returning starters. Judge and D’Amico played big roles last year.

“Jessica has tremendous instincts for the game. She sees the field well. She’s also capable of starting the offense and getting herself involved on set pieces,” Patterson said. “Deanna is the engine that makes us go. She’s a great leader and can do it all. She has good technical ability and a competitive drive that’s second to none. She’s not afraid to use her body to maintain possession and put her team in a good position.”

Zuczek is only a sophomore. But she started every game at an important position as a freshman, on a state championship team.

“She was a great physical presence but could also showcase technical ability,” Patterson said. “She’s coming back even stronger and more talented, so we expect big things from her.”

The Patriots have other players with varsity experience. Jen Weinstock, Lauren Speck and Ryann Leohner can all play multiple positions.  

“Jenn Weinstock was a midfielder last year but is a true defender. She has a great work rate and contributes a lot on the outsides. Lauren Speck is a very solid midfielder. She might slide to defense because she has great set pieces and sees the field very well,” Patterson said. “Ryann Leohner was a midfielder/forward who played off the seniors in our attack. She’s going to be a showcase piece in the attack this year. We expect her to take a big step forward and lead the offense. She’s only a sophomore.”

Anna Priborkina missed 2017 with a torn ACL. But she assisted on eight goals as a freshman in 2016.

“She’s very, very technical, has great skill, sees the field very well and is going to be featured heavily in our offense this year. Those eight assists were primarily from a defensive midfield position, too,” Patterson said. “This year we expect her to score a few more. Now she’s bigger, stronger, faster. We’re hoping she’ll help us out a lot.”

Patterson did not anticipate having to replace LaRosa, even for only part of the season. But he is confident in his sophomore keepers, Ava Madoff and Alexa David.  

“Ava practiced with us in the postseason last year, and I think that helped her confidence,” Patterson said. “Alexa had a torn ACL last year but looks strong. Her reactions are very good. She comes out strong in breakaway situations and covers ground.”

Freehold Township may not duplicate its 2017, but the players still expect to compete for championships.

“Our competition also lost a lot of talented players,” said Judge. “So we think if we come together from the start, and try really hard, we can get to where we were.”

“There’s a lot of talent in the underclassmen,” Weinstock said. “All over the field.”

“Anna will do a really good job controlling the middle,” Speck said. “And we have some good forwards who will score a lot of goals, like Ryann and Gabby. Gabby is really good.”

 

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