Twp. girls soccer team committed to a better 2008
Dragons had just two wins a year ago
BY WAYNE WITKOWSKI Staff Writer
It was a trying season last fall for Brick Township's girls soccer team. Along with only two wins and some heartbreaking losses, there were injuries, and the father of one of the players — graduated sweeper Kaci Brannick — passed away.

"There were some difficult things last season," said Jenna Wroblewski, a defender.

But a veteran squad came fully prepared last week for the start of practices gearing up for its Sept. 13 opener at Toms River North starting at 2 p.m.

"Our offseason commitment was probably the best in the years I've been in the program," said coach Mike Berardinelli, beginning his fifth season. "We did a lot of conditioning and strength training three days a week, and then went to five days a week during the summer. We had 30 girls doing it, and there are 31 on the team."

It showed in the Sea Girt League over the summer, where Berardinelli said the team "made a drastic improvement. We started out struggling with the two teams we put in that league, but by the end of the summer we looked solid. Last year we struggled to score. Our top goal-scorer (graduated midfielder Corey Pannone) had five, and it's nice when you have other people scoring around you, but in A South, girls leading teams like that are in double figures. We felt we could play with teams but couldn't finish. We're working on that and getting better shots. We've addressed that quite a bit and upped our conditioning. Right now were in phenomenal shape."

Other starters who are missed are defenderAlyssaBrown, forward Heather Murphy and midfielder Starri Stark. All were gifted athletes who played different sports at the school in other seasons as well. And Berardinelli said he expects junior Chelsea Garkowski, who played in the midfield and at forward last season while tabulating four goals and five assists, to be back from a hamstring injury by the first scrimmage on Wednesday next week at home against Howell. Next Friday the team plays host in a scrimmage to an experienced Freehold Borough, which ended as the No. 1 team in the Shore last season. It also scrimmages at Pinelands on Sept. 8.

Morgan Kearns, a senior, also is expected to help carry the load with scoring. "She's up to the challenge," said her coach.

Wroblewski is the defensive stalwart playing in front of goalie Lauren McElroy, a junior who will start in goal for the third season.

"Three years ago she walked right into the spot, and she's not letting go," Berardinelli said of McElroy. "She has improved on her game. She's strong, confident, and her skills are good."

"I think the team looks good. We have a lot of seniors and juniors who have been working out a lot in the pre-season," said McElroy. "Last year we were not as skilled, but this year we've all worked more on skills."

The highlight for McElroy and the team last season was a 3-2 overtime loss to NJSIAA Group IV Central champion Jackson.

"She's improved a lot," Wroblewski said of McElroy. "Our defense is really strong this year. Everyone can rely on each other. And our forwards are more of a factor, and the

midfield is more controlled. The thing is, we've been here for so long, a lot of us on the varsity now for four years. I'm really excited. We look good as a team. We're in better shape than ever, and we have chemistry."

"I feel my diving is better and so is my footwork for getting to balls heading to the post," said McElroy. "There's another girl trying for goalie, and it's pushing me to work harder."

Ironically, the key component could be a sophomore — center midfielder Jess Durnian. "Some say for a sophomore, this is a big place to play a part, but she's capable," said Berardinelli. Durnian also plays for the highly successful Twin County Crew Club team of Brick coached by Laurie and Terry Downs.

Kelly Garrido, a starter at times in each of the past three seasons, is also in the midfield. She missed a third of last season with assorted injuries. Berardinelli said senior Delaney Caudillo, a spot starter last season, "looks very solid" in the midfield. Kim Price, a junior, was a starter in the midfield last season. "She might be the most fit on the team," said Berardinelli. "She worked hard to get in shape."

Berardinelli this season lost an assistant coach, as did the other soccer teams in both schools in the township, due to school district budget cutbacks, but he will be assisted by Vin Doyle, who also will coach the freshman team. Doyle was an assistant at Brick Memorial last season. Hank Handchen returns as junior varsity coach.