MaxPreps 2013 Soccer Early Contenders: Montgomery girls

Whether or not the Montgomery (Skillman, N.J.) girls soccer team is headed to another NJSIAA title this fall, one thing is certain - the Cougars will have their hands full in each and every game, no matter what.

Such is life in the Skyland Conference.

Montgomery (23-1-2 in 2012) was the NJSIAA Group 4 champion a year ago, the No. 14 team in the nation in the NSCAA poll, and is one of 10 fall girls teams to be honored as a national title Early Contender, presented by adidas and Dick's Sporting Goods.

If a roster loaded with returning talent doesn't ensure repeat success, the opposition in the Skyland - and the level they're forced to play at - will at least ensure compelling soccer.



"The Skyland Conference is absolutely remarkable. There's nothing like our conference in the state," said Montgomery coach Jeremy Beardsley, whose team beat conference rival Ridge in the 2012 NJSIAA final.

See all the 2013 Fall Soccer Early Contenders

"At any given ranking on NJ.com, you would find four or five teams in the Top 20 (in the state). Ridge, Pingry, Bridgewater, Hunterdon Central and Watching Hills are all perennial powers. Even teams that are on the bottom half of the conference like North Hunterdon, Hillsborough and Franklin are very, very good teams."

The Skyland produced two state champions last season as Pingry won the NJSIAA Non-Public A crown. This has become the norm in New Jersey girls soccer, the way of life. Beardsley doesn't expect anything less this fall.

"The coaches of the Skyland Conference are true professionals. They know their soccer, and year-in and year-out prepare their teams incredibly well," Beardsley said.

"I think this is another reason why the conference is so good. We all know that everyone is preparing and that everyone is talented. It forces our preparation to be top-notch and our player development to be continuous. We know that you must bring your best effort every game and that brings out the best in our players. It is a real tribute to the coaches and players of the Skyland Conference."



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Local outlook: "With the loss of four players taking their talents to the Division I level, Montgomery returns eight seniors, including State Player of the Year Colby Ciarrocca. With Colby back on the front line, her experience and leadership will do wonders for a Montgomery team that most would agree would have a hard time matching last season's success. Her leadership and skill set alone will have Montgomery placed at a high level in a tough Skyland Conference."
- Lou Monaco, Dorf Feature Service (@loumonaco)
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State classification: NJSIAA Group 4

Enrollment: 1,700

Athletic director: Tony Maselli

2012 finish: 23-1-2 (No. 1 Somerset County, No. 1 Group 4, No. 2 Star-Ledger/NJ.com Top 20, No. 14 in NSCAA poll).

Head coach: Jeremy Beardsley

Years at school: 14



Career record: 215-56-18

Notable team achievements: New Jersey Group 4 Champions 2012; New Jersey Group 4 Central Sectional Champions 2012; Somerset County Tournament Champions 2012; Skyland Conference Delaware East Division Champions 2012; New Jersey Group 4 Central Jersey State Sectional Champions 2011; Somerset County Tournament Champions 2011, 2008, 2006; Somerset County Tournament Semi Finalists 2010; Skyland Conference Delaware East Division Champions 2008, 2007; Central NJ Group 4 State Sectional Finalists 2008, 2006; Group 3 State Champions 2005.

Notable soccer alumni: First Team All-State selection Catrina Atanda (2012) will be attending and playing for Clemson University. Second Team All-State player Andrea Niper (2012) will be attending and playing for the University of Buffalo.

Notable non-soccer facts about school: Montgomery Township is one of the most academically competitive public schools in all of New Jersey... The father of current Montgomery girls soccer star Colby Ciarrocca - Kirk Ciarrocca - is the offensive coordinator of the Western Michigan football team. Colby Ciarrocca's mother, Kim, coached women's college lacrosse coach for 20 years (including at Delaware and Temple) and is now the athletic director at Stuart Country Day in Princeton, N.J.
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Key Player losses:

F Catrina Atanda (Clemson)

M Andrea Niper (Buffalo)



D Allie Prosinski (Miami)

F Abigail Hewel (Syracuse)

Key Returners:

Sr. F Colby Ciarrocca (31 goals, 18 assists last season)

Sr. F Jessi Goldman (13 goals 5 assists)

Sr. M Colleen Gaffey (3 goals 9 assists)



Sr. D Katherine Lynch (3 assists)

Sr. GK Rebecca Ravitz

Sr. D/M Julia Straley

Sr. D Michelle Wiltse

Sr. M Lindsay Epstein

Rising Contributors:



So. F Marissa Kowalski (13 goals, 2 assists)

So. M Sarah Bielawski (2 goals, 2 assists)
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Toughest Game: "Every single one of our conference games is an absolute battle. This is not seen in any other conference in New Jersey. Out of conference, we have scheduled the perennial South Jersey power Lenape High School," said coach Jeremy Beardsley.

Question Marks: "We have many. The biggest challenge for us will be our depth. We have some young, unproven players that will be called upon to play at a very high level. We scored an historic number of goals last year, and I don't expect that (to happen) this year. Although New Jersey Player of the Year Colby Ciarrocca returns, along with Jessi Goldman and Marissa Kowalski, goal production will likely be less than 2012. We have starting center midfielder in Colleen Gaffey returning which will help us maintain an attacking, aggressive midfield. With the centerpiece of Katherine Lynch (third team All State) at center back and four-year starter Rebecca Ravitz in goal, I expect our defensive personality to be a real focus this year," Beardsley said.

National Look: Two New Jersey teams, Montgomery and Northern Highlands (Allendale) finished in the NSCAA Top 25 last season. The state has also produced six players on the U.S. Women's National Team.

In Summary: "Coming off the most celebrated season Montgomery girls soccer has ever seen, we will be challenged each and every match. To win all four (in-season) championships is not just a first for girls soccer, but our school has never seen such a dominant season. Every game we play this year, our opponents will be talking about the successes that we achieved in 2012. And although we will have a very different team, they will have to play with the weight of expectation. Without question, what will get us to experience the success we are accustomed to will be through our senior leadership. We have not had this large of a senior class in years. This group of seniors have experienced great success over their four years and are determined to end their high school campaign living up to the rich tradition that has become Montgomery girls soccer."
- Head coach Jeremy Beardsley
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