Brookdale fortified by talented freshman class

Brookdale fortified by
talented freshman class

JERRY WOLKOWITZ Freehold’s Brie Campbell (l) and Howel’s Cara Hammond vie for a head ball during a game last Thursday at the Neptune Classic.

With four starters returning and a very talented incoming freshman class to bolster the team, Brookdale Community College women’s soccer coach Frank Lawrence has every reason to look forward to the 2001 season.

In fall 2000 the Lincroft school’s Jersey Blues (14-5) were Region XIX champions and advanced to the junior college national championships for the second time in three years. As good as 2000 proved to be, the prospects may even be better for this year.

"I feel better about this team than I did about last year’s team," said Lawrence. "I’m pretty confident in our abilities. We have speed and are a faster team. Technically, we have very strong fundamental players.

"We’re very talented," he added. "It’s the best pool of kids we’ve ever had. It’s a very strong group. We’re putting the best 11 players we’ve ever put on the field in one shot."

Midfielders Tonya Driscoll (Middletown North) and Tara Lomicky (St. John Vianney), defender Dawn Tardogno (Manalapan) and midfielder Danielle Willis (Brick Memorial) are the returning starters from last year’s regional champion team.

Driscoll is the top returning scorer, with five goals and three assists she recorded during her freshman campaign.

Willis was in the net last year, but with the addition of Kristin Hirt, the goalie for Middletown South, last year’s Group III championship team, the Blues are even stronger, able to use Willis’ overall soccer skills by putting her out on the field while not losing anything in goal with Hirt.

Another key member of Mid South’s state championship team, forward Lauren Krzan, heads a very talented freshman class.

"Lauren is a big-time player," Lawrence noted. "She’s very difficult for defenses to handle. We’re looking to her for scoring power."

Amanda Beck (Red Bank Regional) fortifies midfield, while Danielle Abbott (Kearny), Melissa Paul (Marlboro) and Jamie Henriquez (Howell) are the nucleus of a fine defensive back line. Henriquez is the sweeper back, and Paul plays stopper.

There is a distinct A North flavor to the Jersey Blues roster with a number of Middletown, Howell, Manalapan and Marlboro players, and for good reason.

"These kids play tough schedules," said Lawrence. "They know what it’s like to play tough competition each time out."

Brookdale started the 2001 season in Lincroft on Thursday against the Haverford JV. Haverford is always competitive and is a good barometer by which the Jersey Blues judge themselves. Off Thursday’s game, a 1-0 Brookdale win, the Blues have every reason to be optimistic. Hirst picked up a shutout in her debut, stopping four shots, while the sophomore connection of Lomicky and Driscoll clicked for the game’s only goal. It came at the 29:00 mark in the first half off a Driscoll throw-in. Lomicky slammed it home from 20 yards out.

It was Krzan who stood out in Brookdale’s second win of the season, 7-0, over Drew University in Madison. The former Eagle had a remarkable game, scoring three goals and assisting on the other four Brookdale tallies. Willis chipped in with two goals and two assists. Hirt again stopped four shots in earning her second shutout in as many career starts.

The one caveat for the Jersey Blues is depth. The team isn’t as deep as in past seasons, and avoiding injury will be especially critical.

"It’s a long season, and we have a tough schedule," Lawrence said. "Depth could be a problem."

Brookdale, which went 8-1 in region play in 2001, hosts region foe Camden in Lincroft on Sept. 26 at 3:30 p.m.