Defense wins championships.
That was certainly the motto for the Bridgewater-Raritan Middle School girls’ soccer team, which repeated as the league champion this season.
The girls’ soccer team, coached by Mike Mackus and Mike Geremia, allowed just eight goals en route to an 8-2 record this fall.
This season was capped when Bridgewater-Raritan, the No. 2 seed, defeated the No. 1 seed, Warren, for the Central Jersey Junior Soccer League championship in Warren–its second consecutive title.
Bridgewater-Raritan won both the title game against previously undefeated Warren and its semifinal by virtue of penalty kicks.
Coach Mackus shared the crucial points and the players who contributed to the championship.
"Throughout the season, we were anchored by our strong defense, led by Isabella Kaiser at center back, alongside defenders Maya Afonso and Rowan Barrett, with Cat Brown in goal. Throughout the entire season, we allowed only eight goals and conceded just one goal during the playoffs."
Coach Mackus continued..
"Our 7th Grader, Addison Inzitarri, had a great season playing center midfield, consistently winning 50/50 balls in the air, creating scoring opportunities for the attack, and supporting the defense. We look forward to having her skill and leadership back next year as an 8th grader."
He concluded.
"Sarah Stasiulaitis was always a threat on the left wing, using her speed and footwork to build our offensive attacks. She seemed to always find the back of the net at the most critical times- especially in the championship game when she scored the tying goal in the second half to force the game into overtime."
Here are the players from the championship girls’ soccer team at Bridgewater-Raritan Middle School.
Abrantes, Olivia Anne
Afonso, Mya
Avellan, Melina Alba
Barrett, Rowan R
Berdynaj, Zoje
Bolanos, Leah Daniela
Brown, Catherine Lorraine
Fernandez, Andrea Melissa
Ann
Gosinanonth, Tiana Isabel
Guelich, Whitney Song
Hacko, Vanessa Anna
Kaiser, Isabella R
Kuszmerski, Emma Ruby
Olson, Riley Rose
Ramasamy, Anjana
Scibelli, Madeline Ann
Stasiulaitis, Sarah Agnes
Sumant, Sai Sachin
Davalos, Ariana Camila
Foehsel, Julianna Winter
Inzitari, Addison
McCandless, Grace Mare
Mickus, Brie Diane
Ortiz, Skylar Hayden
Valeira, Aubrey Rose
Wilson, Olivia Nana Adwoa