South Plainfield (4-0)

The Scotch Plains Lightning U13 Girls’ Soccer team repeatedly dialed long distance in the first half of Sunday’s game and they completed enough of their connections to make for a pleasant end to the fall portion of their schedule. Getting first half goals from Rachel Parker, Cathy Harley and Angelica Glover, all from over 30 yards the Lightning breezed to a 4-0 whitewashing of South Plainfield, to clinch second place with a 6-2 record.

With a warm southwest wind swirling at over 20 miles per hour, the Lightning quickly realized that long high shots would prove very tricky for the goalies. Parker wasted no time in taking a pass from Harley in the defensive side of midfield and racing down the left side where she unloaded from 35 yards and put the ball over the surprised goalie to give the Lightning a 1-0 lead at the six minute mark. Five minutes later Rachel Kreyer fed Harley who blasted a high shot that appeared to be heading over the goal but just made it in under the post. Harley,Javonni Costello and Brittany Biondi all came close to adding to the total before Angelica Glover took a touch pass from Heather Rodriguez on an indirect kick and blasted another high hard shot that the goalie saved but could not hold as the ball trickled over the line.

With a 3-0 halftime lead and a dominant performance that kept things sedate for goalie Jaclyn Lazarus, the Lightning moved players into often unfamiliar positions in the second half. Harley got the only goal of the half, this one from short range with her left foot off a nice crossing pass from Joanna Naugle. Parker completed the shutout by making two saves.

The offense led by hard working Rachel Kreyer threatened all day to add to the lead. Katie Cornacchia and Naugle were impressive on the wings with their dribbling,passing and shooting. Costello, Alyssa Straniero and Maria Rivero were solid as usual on defense.

Kristen Thompson was consistently effective in midfield along with Jessica Nagourney, Biondi, Cheryl Monteiro,Lazarus and Nina Brownstone.

The Lightning will next play in the Rahway Thanksgiving tournament November 29-30.

Montgomery (2-1)

The Scotch Plains Lightning U13 Girl’s Soccer team had just enough offense to win on Sunday at Montgomery. A spectacular first half goal by Rachel Parker and an even more skillful one by Angelica Glover in the second half combined with the goal keeping of Jaclyn Lazarus and Parker to lift the Lightning to the 2-1 win which cemented their hold on second place in Flight 5 of the MNYSA. With one game to go, the Lightning lead Montgomery by a game but have swept the two games.

“We played a very good game and deserved to win “, said Coach Luis Rodriguez.
“We did an excellent job of covering on defense”.

Parker got the Lightning on the board 12 minutes into the game when she took a long pass from Cathy Harley and outran two defenders to score on a low shot. It was the second time in three weeks that a long Harley pass had resulted in a goal.

The remainder of the first half was dominated by strong two way play by Brittany Biondi,making a fine recovery from her injury a week ago. Jaclyn Lazarus continued to be aggressive in goal and was effective with her punts. Javonni Costello was brilliant as usual with skillful dribbling and defensive play.

Midway through the second half,leading socrer Angelica Glover gave the Lightning some much needed breathing room when she weaved her way past two players and chipped the ball over the goalie’s head.

“It was a beautiful play. She showed a lot of patience”, said Rodriguez. The Lightning appeared headed to their eighth shutout of the year but Montgomery ruined that dream with a goal three minutes from the finish.

In addition to Costello, Alyssa Straniero,Lazarus and Maria Rivero were solid on defense. In addition to Biondi, Glover and Harley, Heather Roriguez, Nina Brownstone,Joanna Naugle,Jessica Nagourney and Kristen Thompson excelled in midfield. In addition to Parker, Rachel Kreyer,Katie Cornacchia and Cheryl Monteiro
Were threatening on offense. The Lightning complete their fall schedule, traveling to South Plainfield next Sunday.