BCC women's soccer team is progressing

Brookdale Community College women's soccer coach Frank Lawrence is using the team's early contests to get a feel for what he has.

Opening in New York State against a powerhouse Herkimer squad Saturday and then playing a junior college Division I power Harford in their home opener tomorrow (4 p.m.) will give Lawrence a good barometer of where his team stands. Saturday, the Jersey Blues travel to Gloucester to play the defending Region XIX champions and 2007 national tournament runner-ups.

"It's a feeling-out process," Lawrence said of the tough early-season schedule. "I use different combinations and see what works. I'll get a pretty good indicator right away.

"What we need to do is get better," he added. "I've seen tremendous improvement in the last two weeks," Lawrence said.

Still, it will take watching his team play in games to determine the right combinations, and with many newcomers that will take time.

Last fall, Brookdale had one of its finest seasons spoiled in the Region XIX semifinals, falling to Ocean County College, 1-0, in a shoot-out. The nationally ranked Blues did win the Garden State Athletic Conference title and were 13-1-2.

Three starters return from that team and they are anxious to erase the memory of the way '07 ended. Jenna Lippi, Annie Peraggine, and Courtney Rosado will all play prominent roles in '08.

Lippi, an outside midfielder, was All-Region last year. Lawrence expects this year's squad to resemble the '07 in that midfield will be the team's focal point, and Lippi is as good as they come in the Region, according to Lawrence.

Transfers Joanne Montefinesse and Susan Candiano have made midfield even stronger. Meghan Lapkowski, Nicole Taylor and Katie James complete the midfield unit. James was part of the midfield rotation last fall.

The defense will be led by sweeper Peraggine, who directs traffic and can trigger the transition game with her passing dribbling. She was All-GSAC.

Jess Bogert, Lauren Starek, Paula Keegen and Hilda Corredor will all be part of the backfield.

Up top is Rosado, who scored four goals last year and who will shoulder more of the scoring load. She is very fast and has improved her finishing talents.

Complementing Rosado on the forward line is 5-10 Lisa James. She provides a target for corner and free kicks.

Nilufer Onder and Kim Mairs will be looked to for scoring.

In goal, basketball star Sasha Fabrizio brings the tools that made her one of the country's leading rebounders to the position. She's 5 feet 10 inches and covers a lot of ground. "She's athletic and has great hands," said Lawrence. "With her size, she is good in the air."

Tim Morris may be contacted at tmorris@gmnews.com.