BY VIN RAPOLLA
Staff Writer

After an encouraging first-round upset in Shore Conference Tournament play, the Ocean Township girls soccer team looked poised to put together a strong postseason run.

The Ocean girls soccer team (12-6-1) came out strong in the first round of the SCT, knocking off a Shore Regional team that had just beaten the Spartans last week.

"We were pretty confident coming into the game. We knew we didn't play our greatest the first time around," said head coach Kelly Corcione.

And that confidence resulted in a 1-0 win over the seventh-seeded Blue Devils (12-3-1), as Patty Yau lofted the game-winning goal over the Shore goalie from 15 yards out in the 10th minute. Spartan goalie Gina D'Ambrisi made three saves in net to record the shutout.

The girls then faced the No. 1 seed in the Shore Conference in Middletown North in the second round this past Monday. Unfortunately, the Spartans lost in double overtime, 2-1, to the Lions, but the effort was yet another confidence builder for an Ocean team who had lost to the Lions 4-1 in the regular season.

"We're proud of the performance," said Corcione. "We really can't ask for anything else."

Once again it was Patty Yau doing the scoring for Ocean, as she tickled the twine with a penalty kick with just five minutes to go in regulation, sending the game into overtime. In the second OT, however, North's Jess Davila nudged the ball past the goalkeeper off a cross from Jenna Lippi, sending the Lions on to the semifinals.

After losing many key starters from last season, the Spartans have had a smooth transition in the current season, filling many of the key positions and rotating many players based on their opponents.

"We've done the best we can to fill these spots," said Corcione. "When you take away your leading scorer and goalkeeper, you definitely have some spots to fill."

Stepping up for the team in two crucial positions have been Yau at forward and center midfield, Samantha Kay at sweeper and goalkeeper D'Ambrisi.

"We have a lot of confidence in Samantha - without her in the backfield we may have lost some close games," said Corcione. "Yau has really filled her spot well. Gina took on the challenge at keeper and did well."

Moving a lot of girls around can be difficult for some players, but this team has made the transition well. Senior Captains Carlie Lyster, Erica Mazza and Kristen Chen have all proved to be true leaders and captains by doing whatever it takes to be successful.

The team has also been helped greatly by junior Theresa Sparaco, sophomore Hannah Boyce and senior defender Lindsey Hoffman.

With the Shore Conference Tournament behind them, the Spartans now have their eyes set on the state tournament. The team looks to advance to and beyond the sectional final, which they won last year.

"I don't see any reason we can't do the same thing. We definitely have the ability," said Corcione. "The team is up and ready; it's been a long time waiting."

And with Monday's performance against one of the state's best teams to build on, Ocean may indeed be ready for a run at another state title.