Continuing a Trend, SPFHS Girls' Soccer Will Rely on Younger Players

This season just got more challenging. With fewer seniors than last year, and the addition of more formidable teams to its schedule, Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School's girls' soccer team faces a more difficult 2010-2011 season.

"It's a lot more balanced," head coach Kevin Ewing said, now in his ninth-year.

The Union County Conference's Watchung Division now includes defending Union County Tournament (UCT) champion Cranford, Summit, Gov. Livingston and Johnson. Westfield and Union are also members of the division.

"There are no games where the kids can take a day off," Ewing said. "All of those teams are pretty good."

Scotch Plains opens at Cranford Saturday at 4 p.m. in a rematch of last year's UCT final. Cranford, like Scotch Plains, lost a number of talented seniors to graduation. This will be the first of their two conference games against each other.

Scotch Plains is coming off a 15-3-1 season where it reached a fifth consecutive UCT final. After winning its first four UCT crowns in a row – three outright and one shared – Scotch Plains was edged by Cranford 1-0 in last year's UCT final at Johnson. The Raiders finished ninth in Group 3 and third in Union County.

Ewing said returning starters include senior forward Avika Shah, junior forward Sara VanBuskirk, senior center midfielder Emily Nagourney, defender Claudia Falconieri and senior goalkeeper Paige DellaBadia. Sophomore goalie Taylor Sebolao also started some games last year when DellaBadia was injured.

"Paige is good at reading balls in the air, has quick reflexes – which is what you want from a goalie – and good hands," Ewing said. "Taylor is very good in the air, really strong, very aggressive and also has good hands."

Ewing said Shah and VanBuskirk were the team's leading scorers.

VanBuskirk's 11th goal of the 2009-2010 season – from an assist by Nagourney – was the difference in a 1-0 UCT quarterfinal round home win over Johnson last year. DellaBadia was steady in goal and made seven saves for the team's fifth shutout in a row, its ninth shutout of the season.

This year's team, however, will be younger than in years past. "We have, I think, 10 sophomores and a couple of freshmen and the rest are juniors and seniors, but the sophomores and freshmen are getting a lot of playing time," Ewing said. "our returning starters will have to lead them in the right direction."

Among the key seniors lost to graduation from last year's squad were center back Delia McGee and senior outside Sarah Canfield. Both were Second Team All Group 3 selections by The Star-Ledger and also First Team All-County choices.

NOTES: The home-opener is Monday at 4 p.m. versus non-league foe Watchung Hills.

The Raiders will remain at home for their next two matches after that, the first against conference archrival Westfield Sept. 16 at 4 p.m., and the second versus non-league opponent Linden Sept. 22 at 4 p.m.

2010 SCHEDULE

Sept. 11 at Cranford, 4 p.m.

Sept. 13 Watchung Hills, 4 p.m.

Sept. 16 Westfield, 4 p.m.

Sept. 22 Linden, 4 p.m.

Sept. 24 at Johnson, 4 p.m.

Sept. 28 at Union, 7 p.m.

Sept. 30 Summit, 4 p.m.

Oct. 2 at Ridge, 4 p.m.

Oct. 4 Cranford, 4 p.m.

Oct. 8 at Westfield, 4 p.m.

Oct. 12 Gov. Livingston, 4 p.m.

Oct. 14 Johnson, 4 p.m.

Oct. 19 Union, 4 p.m.

Oct. 21 at Summit, 4 p.m.

Oct. 25 at New Providence, 4 p.m.

Oct. 28 at Gov. Livingston, 4 p.m.

Union County Conference-Watchung Division for 2010:

(7 schools) Union, Westfield, Scotch Plains,

Cranford, Summit, Gov. Livingston, Johnson.

Scotch Plains-Fanwood's four non-league opponents:

Watchung Hills, Linden, Ridge, New Providence.