Last year’s loss in penalty kicks against Cliffside during the State Tournament left a bad taste in the mouth of a youthful and hungry team.
West Milford Girls Soccer is coming off an 11-8-1 season, 4-6 within their division. The team lost many key starters from last year including graduating senior Lindsay Rector and sophomore Sam Kroeger, because of Kroeger playing for the 16U U.S. national team. Those two players led the team in scoring with 6 and 11 goals respectively.
The team looked to rebuild on the fly with a very young team. Goal scoring seemed to be the biggest question needing to be replaced from last year. Sophomore Julia Bono and Junior Marissa Ehrmann have stepped up big time, both scoring 7 goals. Of those seven goals for Ehrmann, it included a hat trick against Passaic Valley. Both of this players have allowed the young team to have a solidified front, creating scoring opportunities throughout the season.
Seniors Katey Choma and Natalie Marzalik, being named the two captains, are the two veterans on the team. Choma leads the team in both goals and assists, with 8 goals and 5 assists. Her ability to move the ball and transition the team from defense to offense has helped to control the middle of the field, allowing teammates like Bono and Ehrmann to find the success they’ve had. Choma’s leadership has impacted the team strongly off the field as well, in talking to younger players and her ability to create a strong bond between the girls. Marzalik plays a huge role as the rock solid goaltender for the team, tallying 61 saves. Marzalik has played through a tough bone bruise in her right leg suffered in a home game collision against DePaul, showing her true tenacity as a leader. These two have been the backbone of the team as they have grown throughout the year.
For a young team, chemistry can become the biggest factor in success. The ability to play as a team and rely on one another, and then play stagnant trying to play one on eleven. These two captains have been able to create an atmosphere of family to play as a team.
On their way to their first round game in the state tournament, the girls have had a strong and consistent season, with a 10-0 record and 2-3 within their conference. The record, though only .500, doesn’t show the true talent of the team, and the success they had. The team was the 6th seed in the Passaic County Tournament, and are the 7th seed in the North 1, Group 2 bracket of the New Jersey State Tournament.
Of those 10 wins this season, it includes 7 goal routes to Passaic Valley and Eastside, as well as six one-goal victories showing their ability to come through in tight games. One of the one-goal victories game in their county game against 11 seed Eastern Christian. The team trailed 2-0 with only thirteen minutes left in the game. Within two minutes Emma Piskadlo and Choma were able to tie the game up with an aggressive attack as their backs were up against the wall. Heading into overtime, West Milford had taken full control of the game, and with all the momentum Bono was able to score the winning goal just inside the box.
West Milford went on to lose in the quarterfinals against Lakeland in a nailbiter 1-0 final. The game though a loss, represented the relentless drive and mentality of the team as they created many scoring chances, just coming up short to finish.
Though they suffered the loss to Lakeland in counties, the team’s biggest win this year came on the road against West Milford’s biggest rival, Lakeland. After Bono’s header off an incredible cross from Riley McGill. West Milford took the undefeated (5-0-1) Lancers into overtime tied 1-1.
In overtime, the Highlanders were able to find a way to defeat the Lancers on their home field back to back years, as Ehrmann finished off a pass from Nicole Soreco to give them a 2-1 overtime win.
West Milford heading into their home State Tournament game against Pascack Hills were hoping to rebound from last year’s difficult loss in penalty kicks. But the result was all to familiar, as the team was unable to create any offensive chances and fell 1-0 in regulation.
The game wasn’t all negative though, as Marzalik was able to reach a massive career milestone, recording her 200th save as varsity goalie.
For next year, the team is able to look forward to contending with 9 of 11 starters returning, as well as two major players off the bench from this season. Eight of those eleven players will be seniors, as the experience of the team will drive expectations for this team sky high.