MIDDLETOWN SOUTH GIRLS SOCCER OFF TO FAST START

 MIDDLETOWN SOUTH GIRLS SOCCER OFF TO FAST START

By Eric Braun
 
MIDDLETOWN – Last season the Eagles played one of the hardest schedules and had little to show for it in the end according to records and awards. However what Middletown South lost in records and awards, they earned in experience and teamwork and have stayed committed to each other this offseason and the start of the young 2019 season. 
 
The Eagles took their lumps in 2018, finishing with a record of 8-9-4 and 3-2-1 in A North. They finished with a 3-0 win over Colonia in the North Jersey Section 2 Group 3 tournament before losing their final game of the season in the quarterfinals to cross-town rival Middletown North, 2-0. In the 21 games played last season, Middletown South was in ten one-goal games. This experience gave this year’s group a wealth of knowledge and has driven them to the top of the rankings and has them flying high with and undefeated record of 8-0.
 
Middletown South’s eight-game win streak has been nothing short of spectacular, outscoring their opponents, 28-5.  Coach Megan Barry has gotten offensive contributions from 11 different players with senior Emma Laudisi leading the way with 10 goals, followed by junior Katie Coyle (7), junior Abby Larrier (5), sophomore Angie Shekian (3), junior Keira Prince, junior Helaina Cannon (2 each) and senior Haley Nicholas, senior Filomena DeGregorio, sophomore Lara Brennan, freshman Makayla Jaffe and freshman Abygail Dougherty with a goal a piece. 
 
Barry also has the benefit of leaning on two goalkeepers to keep the Eagles in every game with senior Emma Bennett and junior Jess Bucello combining for 46 saves on the season.  
 
The team chemistry didn’t happen overnight for the Eagles. It started in previous seasons and continued into preseason from beach trainings, pasta parties, car wash fundriasers, 2-v-2 costume tournaments and 7-v-7 tournaments.  Any school can put a team onto the pitch and say, “go play,” but what makes Middletown South and other top schools different – from “ok” to “great” – is how fast teams can come together and lean on each other.  This process starts before the season and off the field.  The Eagles clearly have built a foundation of family on and off the field.
 
 “This year's program has great team chemistry and the ability to work as a unit. The girls are motivated to play for each other and to take each game in stride, aware that every game matters and is competitive,” said Barry. “Our three captains are forward Emma Laudisi, midfielder Mady Laudisi, and center back Filomena DeGregorio. Each has been a four-year starter and they were all essential players to our run two years ago. They prove every day what it takes to effectively fulfill a role on the field for our team. Off the field, they work hard to set up team bonding experiences and make the season as enjoyable as possible for every member of the program.” 
 
Middletown South, while playing for everything this season, also is setting the foundation for years to come.  The Eagles roster consists of six seniors, nine juniors, four sophomores and three freshmen.  The diversity in grades allows Barry to build for now and also the future with valuable experience and minutes against some of the top teams and players at the Shore and NJSIAA.
 
“The team is made up of talented and tough freshmen, sophomores who are vocal and strong, and juniors and seniors who all take on leadership roles and lived through our state championship experience two seasons ago.  The girls are going out there, leaving everything on the field, and having fun doing so,” Barry continued.
 
The Eagles opened their season with a 3-1 victory of Holmdel on Sept. 3 with goals from DeGregorio, Laudisi and Coyle.  Bucello recorded six saves for the opening-day home victory.  They hit the road for their next two games against Ocean Township and Allentown.  The Eagles took care of the Spartans with a 4- 1 victory paced by goals from Doherty, Nicholas, Laudisi and Prince; while Bucello and Bennett combined for seven saves.  Middletown South would close out the opening weekend with a 2-1 win over Allentown behind goals from Laudisi and Prince.
 
Middletown South opened up scoring early in the first half against Marlboro and held a 2-0 first-half lead before adding another in the second half to top the Mustangs, 3-1, for another home victory.  Scoring for the Eagles were Laudisi, Shekian and Coyle, with Bennett getting the win in net with six saves.  Next up was a tough battle against Freehold Boro that went to a 0-0 first-half draw before Laudisi found the back of the net for the Eagles and Bennett shut down the Patriots for the shutout and a 1-0 win on the road.
Next up was an overtime thriller against Red Bank Catholic that pushed Middletown South to 6-0 on the season.  Brennan kept the undefeated streak going after she hopped on a loose ball that deflected off the Caseys defender and she placed it just out of the reach of the keeper for the win.  Also scoring for the Eagles was Coyle, while Bennett was the difference maker in this game.  Shot after shot and pressure after pressure, the senior keeper stopped any momentum from Red Bank Catholic and was able to settle the Middletown South defense down enough to regroup and walk away with the win. 
Middletown South would score early and often as they overpowered Long Branch for an 8-0 road victory.  Scoring for the Eagles were Larrier (2), Laudisi (2), Keagy, Cannon, Shekian and Coyle with a goal apiece, while Bennett and Bucello combined for seven saves and the shutout.
 
The Eagles would close out their second week of action with a road victory over Point Pleasant Boro, 5-0.  It took the Eagles a little while in the first half to settle in but once they did, the Panthers had no answers for them.  Coyle got the scoring going for Middletown South when she launched a shot upper corner from 30 yards out with 24 minutes left in the half and then Laudisi added another off a cross from Jess Monaghan with just over five minutes left in the half to go up, 2-0.  Middletown South would put the game away with three more goals midway through the second half from Coyle for her second of the game and then Monaghan and Jaffe to finish off the scoring.
 
“Our only expectation is that when we walk off the field, we have no regrets, and our goal is to be as successful as possible,” said Barry of her outlook for the season.” We believe we have a chance to compete in every game we play, and for every championship available to us (the division, the conference, the section, and the group).”
 
Support the Middletown South girls soccer team by donating to their fundraiser for “Into The Light,”   a non-profit organization that strives to rid the stigma around all mental health issues facing teenagers and young adults. You can go to classy.org/team/250886 to help the Eagles reach their goal.  No amount is too small.
 
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