Edison (5-0)

The result the Scotch Plains Lightning U13 Girls’ soccer team was waiting for didn’t come until well after their game last Sunday with the Central Jersey Tidal Wave had ended. Although the Lightning lost the battle for first place 3-1 at Wardlaw Hartridge School, their main concern was for star midfielder Brittany Biondi who taken off the field early in the second half by ambulance after getting hit hard by a ball in the jaw. Biondi’s injury didn’t turn out to be serious and she should be able to play this week but her loss was definitely felt by the Lightning who faded down the stretch in the second half.

“They deserved to win “, said Coach Luis Rodriguez who was returning after missing last week’s game after undergoing minor surgery.

“We missed Brittany. Our minds may have been more on her than the game”.

When Biondi was injured the Lightning trailed 1-0 on a goal one minute before the end of the first half. After play was delayed for almost 30 minutes, the Lightning broke their huddle to return to the field by yelling “Brittany”.

On the ensuing drop ball, Katie Cornacchia won the loose ball and sent a perfect lead pass to Angelica Glover who exploded past three defenders and beat the goalie with a perfect shot to the opposite left post. With the game tied it appeared that the momentum had swung to the Lightning but the Tidal Wave showed why they are the league’s only unbeaten team by scoring two minutes later. They added a third goal on a perfectly executed corner kick and were able to hold off several attacks by the Lightning to beat Scotch Plains for the second time this fall.

The first half was a nip and tuck battle. Jaclyn Lazarus, playing her best game of the year in goal was effective with some excellent punts and was aggressive in cutting off some long passes. The defense of Kristen Thompson, Maria Rivero,Alyssa Straniero and Javonni Costello was solid along with the midfield of Biondi,Cathy Harley,Heather Rodriguez, Nina Brownstone, and Glover. Joanna Naugle was dangerous and creative on left forward,coming close to scoring several times. Rachel Parker,who played goal in the second half,Rachel Kreyer, Cheryl Monteiro and Cornacchia were effective on the line.

The Lightning face another difficult game this Sunday when they travel to Montgomery to meet the Charge who are tied with them for second place.