Braves hold onto first with win over Rebels

Yellin notches
game-winner
in second half
BY TIM MORRIS
Staff Writer

PHOTOS BY JEFF GRANIT staff Above, Howell’s Christine Novatin heads the ball past Manalapan’s Pam Yellin during their game in Manalapan on Thursday. At left, Manalapan’s Katie Candiano fights for position with the Rebels’ Amanda Urqhart.

With first place riding on the outcome, Rick Garretson was going to learn how his 2003 Manalapan Braves girls soccer team would respond to pressure.

With a 1-0 win over Howell Thursday night at the Manalapan Recreation Center that kept the defending champions in first place in A North, Garretson got his answer.

"I learned how much heart and desire this team has," said Garretson. "In the second half we came out and put a lot of pressure on them, and after we scored, our defense took over."

It has been a roller coaster year for the Braves who are sporting an unbeaten 4-0-3 overall mark and 4-0-2 in the division. The defense has held fast, permitting just three goals. Offensively, the Braves have been struggling to score goals. It hasn’t been for a lack of opportunities, but rather a lack of finishing off those chances.

"It’s definitely been a different year," said Garretson. "We’re feeling our youth.

"This is one of the quickest teams I’ve had," he added. "It’s going to take some time playing together for us to jell. We started from scratch this year."

With the offense having its difficulties, Garretson switched Lindsay Kotula from sweeper to the front. She has responded with four goals and four assists.

Veteran midfielder/forward Pam Yellin has six goals and one assist. It was Yellin, assisted by Morgan Ball, who scored the only goal of the match with Howell.

In time, Garretson sees Kotula and Yellin becoming a force as a tandem.

"They haven’t played together before," said Garretson. "They have to learn each other’s tendencies."

With Kotula added to the mix, the Braves have been dominating play, even if it hasn’t always materialized on the scoreboard.

"We’re getting our opportunities; it’s just a matter of time," said Garretson. "The girls have been working so hard creating those opportunities. It’s going to come around sooner or later. I just hope it’s sooner rather than later."

Garretson was able to insert Kotula into the offense because he had a talented sophomore, Brenna Zielinski, who could fill in for a seasoned veteran at an important position without missing a beat.

Senior Toni-Ann White and junior Katie Candiano, who are the outside backs, are returners from last year’s championship team. Freshman Annie Perragine has stepped right in and filled the stopper back position. This quartet has worked extremely well together from the get-go. The Braves’ defense has been very difficult to pierce as the three goals against will attest.

Whenever the defense was attacked, goalie Angelica Lyons has been a wall. Lyons was starting last year but broke her arm very early in the season. She has made a complete recovery and the Braves now have a reliable backstop they have confidence in.

"Angelica Lyons has been really solid for us," said Garretson.

With a 3-0-3 mark entering the showdown with Howell (5-1-2) last Thursday night, the Braves weren’t a team beaming with confidence. The two teams had tied earlier in the season in Howell and another hard-fought match that could go either way was anticipated. It is just the kind of challenge the Braves look forward to.

"The girls have a lot of pride," said Garretson. "They don’t want to lose."

After a scoreless first half, Yellin converted a crossing pass from Ball into the only score of the match just 5:20 into the second half. From there, the defense took over, allowing the Braves to hold onto the lead and first place. Lyons stopped five shots in collecting the shutout.

"Howell is well coached and very disciplined," said Garretson.

The Braves are 4-0-2 in A North and Howell is 3-1-2.

Manalapan took another step forward on Saturday when the Braves edged Middletown North (3-2-1), the other figure in the A North chase, 5-4.

The Lions were 3-1-1 going to Manalapan, having a loss and tie to Howell. The visitors were very much in the hunt for the top spot in the division if they could get a ‘W’ against the Braves.

North was the first team to rattle the Braves’ defense; however, the Manalapan offense came around sooner rather than later for Garretson, and the Braves improved to 5-0-2 in A North with three matches remaining.

Kotula continues to prosper since her move up front, notching two more goals against the Lions. The game-winner belonged to Lauren Prinzo, who picked the right time to score her first career goal. Prinzo headed in a throw-in by Ball in the 76th minute to break the 4-4 tie and pave the way for the Manalapan win.

With the Shore Conference Division having reached the halfway point, Manalapan and Howell aren’t the only teams chasing titles.

Colts Neck undefeated

Colts Neck is having a spectacular season in B Central.

Dave Irvine’s Cougars are a perfect 8-0 this year, including 6-0 in the division. The Cougars are the division’s defending champions and they have built a one and one-half game cushion.

The Cougars’ most recent win was 6-0 over Point Pleasant Beach on the road Thursday.

Suzanne Witkowski had two goals and Michel Fazzari had a goal and an assist.

Meighan Kelly, Ashley Becker and Jenna Salvati also notched goals for Colts Neck.

Samantha Areman stopped two shots in picking up the shutout.