Jersey Blues
are defending
GSAC champions

BY TIM MORRIS
Staff Writer

Brookdale Community College’s women’s soccer team will be attacking the 2004 season with more depth than they have ever had before.

The defending Garden State Athletic Conference champions, who were one game away from going to the junior college national championships in 2003, have their largest team ever under coach Frank Lawrence — 18 players.

“I had to make cuts this year,” Lawrence said. “Unfortunately, you can’t carry more players than you can utilize.”

There is a reason for the large roster.

“We have good quality kids both in our returning kids and in our additions,” Lawrence remarked.

With eight starters returning from last year’s GSAC championship and Region XIX runner-up team, that alone would make Brookdale the team to beat again. But add a very talented recruiting class to the mix and the Jersey Blues are loaded. So loaded that some starters from last year won’t be starters this fall.

“We’re a very strong team,” said Lawrence. “The issue is to get them to play together from a team standpoint.”

Brookdale’s strength is from the back forward, starting in goal.

Keeper Tammy Wood is looking to become a two-time All-American. The Blues start the season secure in net with the 5-10 sophomore from South River. She is an insurance blanket in goal for the defense, allowing them to take more chances and attack upfield. Wood closed the season with four straight shutouts.

Sweeper Lauren North (Middletown South) was an All-Region player in ’03 and fellow defender Jessica Roy (Sayreville), was All-GSAC. Howell’s Katie Lipman rounds out this experienced unit.

The midfield is anchored by All-Region selection Kerry O’Mara. Lisa Alberti (Marlboro) and Jana Rizzie (Middletown North).

The lone returner up front is Tara Driscoll, the ex-St. John Vianney star.

Forward Lauren Nangano (Marlboro), who played for one year at BCC in 2000, returns to the team and Lauran Maratto (Long Banch), a transfer from William Paterson, are a pair of sophomores who bring college experience with them.

Of the incoming freshmen, Middletown South grad Kendal Krzan bolsters an already talented midfield. She is the sister of BCC’s former two-time All-American Lauren Krzan.

Old Bridge’s Lauren Lavallo is one of the freshmen who will have an impact on the forward line with her technical skills.

The big recruit is another all-around player who will help the midfield, Brick’s Cara Capestro.

The other freshmen newcomers are: defender, Erica Thompsen (Raritan); forward Gina Ciccarelli (Monmouth Regional); defender Kirsten Disenderfer (Shore Regional); keeper Kim Mergner (Jackson); midfielder Bridget Walsh (Mater Dei); and forward Katherine Rosas (Long Branch).

With the large roster comes depth and versatility. The Blues are a very balanced team that is solid in every phase of the game. Thanks to their large roster, the Blues won’t have any difficulty keeping fresh legs on the field. They will be able to attack even more, which is what Lawrence is looking for.

“Defensively, we’re very strong,” noted Lawrence. “At midfield, we’re very good and we have versatility there, kids who can go forward.

“We have a lot of depth on offense,” he added. “We have a lot of different players who can score.”

Brookdale is aiming to get passed the Region tournament this fall and advance to the national tournament. It’s a goal that is well within its grasp. Last year, BCC had just two returning starters and went 10-5-2, won the GSAC, was ranked 10th in the nation and advanced to the region final.

Brookdale’s women started the season out in California (last weekend), taking on three powerhouses out there before embarking on their usually challenging schedule that Lawrence hopes will end up with the Jersey Blues winning the Region XIX title this year.

“We’re playing well-stacked teams in California, which should help prepare us for the regular season and our tournament [Region XIX],” said Lawrence. “This is the hardest schedule we’ve had.”

After their three-game stint in California, the Jersey Blues will open their home schedule against Middlesex at noon Saturday. That is followed by a game with Springfield Tech of Massachusetts on Sept. 12, also at noon. BCC will host Morris at 3:30 p.m. Sept. 15.

Brookdale is hosting the Region XIX championship game Oct 31.