Young Memorial soccer team's play inconsistent

BY WAYNE WITKOWSKI
Staff Writer

A young team can be a mixed blessing for a high school coach.On the positive side, there's the vigor and exuberance that comes with an underclassman lineup, a daring, nothing-to-lose attitude that can lead to surprising results.

On the other side, it also can mean a moody situation. To quote the popular coach's line, you never know what team will take the field that day. There is no sense of urgency in the way the team plays that often surfaces with a senior-dominated lineup.

Coach Bill Caruso found his Brick Memorial girls soccer team on both sides of the equation as it split a pair of 2-1 games. A Friday game against Southern Regional was rained out.

On the downside, the Mustangs lost to Wall, and it left Caruso feeling disappointed. Wall struck in the opening minutes, and Brick Memorial tied it before halftime. Wall put in the winning goal 13 minutes into overtime.

"It wasn't bad, but we just didn't play the way we should," said Caruso. "I was questioning our heart a little after the game."

The inconsistency that comes with youth again kicked in on Wednesday in Brick Memorial's favor as it pulled out a 2-1 Shore Conference A South victory over Toms River North. Alyssa Keating headed in a corner kick served from the right by Christina Cuffari from 5 yards out into the upper-left corner as Brick Memorial raised its record to 8-4.

"It was probably the best game we played all year," said Caruso, whose team is the defending Shore Conference Tournament champion.

Cuffari drilled home a penalty kick early in the second half and Toms River North tied it 10 minutes later.

Jackie Janicki also figured in the victory.

"She did a nice job. I moved her to the back and she's learning a new position and playing excellent," said Caruso.

Janicky helped protect goalie Amanda Simon, who stepped into the starting goalie spot when Shannon Boe came out late for the team just before the start of the regular season. Caruso said he is extremely pleased with how she has come along, while being instructed by goalie coach Lauren Acosta, a former Mustang who went on to Rutgers University.

Janicky's play as well as the resurgent firepower of sophomore forward Alex Montalto are a welcome occurrence, considering that two of the three seniors on the team have been out with injuries - Cat Dyziewski, who Caruso said is gone for the year with a badly sprained ankle, and midfielder Alyssa Newman.

Mallory Baker also has been out since the start of the season with an ankle injury and is not expected back this season, said Caruso.

"We're not even thinking of her coming back," Caruso said.

The team will rely more on players like Montalto, midfielder Kaitlin Conway, forward Annie McCarthy and fullback Jourdan Thompson. Although winning programs like Brick Memorial don't worry as much about qualifying for postseason tournaments because that is a given, their play can make the Mustangs a dangerous team that can get hot and advance far.

But can the team string on another solid game with the last one? That question revolves around most young teams. Along with a Tuesday showdown at crosstown rival Brick Township, the Mustangs travel to Toms River South on Wednesday night at 7 o'clock. "I really left that game [against Toms River North] pleased," said Caruso. "It was the first time we played with heart and passion. Hopefully, it stuck with them. It's a young team. We'll have to see."

Caruso will find out on Tuesday and Wednesday.