WW-PN shakes off slow start to season

HAMILTON » A slow start is becoming a fast fading memory for the West Windsor-Plainsboro North girls soccer team.

After losing their first two, The Northern Knights won for the fourth time in five games with an impressive 5-0 victory at Hamilton West on a gloomy Tuesday.

Not so dismal for those wearing Blue and White, of course. What started as a long season after two straight 3-1 losses, WW-PN has outscored opponents 12-2 in its four victories.

“In the beginning we just weren’t as motivated as we are now,” said junior forward Grace Carulli, who had three nice assists. “We started to learn to really work together and we’re learning what works and what doesn’t and how to play against different teams.”

The Knights had some early opportunities but could not get one by keeper Alyssa Firestine, who made a diving stop to rob Abigail Adams in the 18th minute. Seven minutes later, Carulli slipped a perfect through ball on to the foot of Jillian Pelosi, who scored easily in front for her teamleading fourth goal.

Just prior to halftime, Adams got her revenge when she scored off a rebound to make it 2-0.

West Windsor (4-3) continued to attack and Carulli worked her playmaking magic again when she crossed in front to Sierra Counts, who wasted little time converting. Shortly thereafter, Carulli crossed it to Sydney Vogel with similar results and it was quickly 4-0.

“I think our communication today was really good so I knew when to cross it and when to take it in myself,” Carulli said. “They were open and my team was working really well together so that helped let me find them.”

Elise Gardner, one of just five seniors on the Knights roster, completed the scoring when she slotted one with 11 minutes remaining.

Prior to that, it had started raining heavily, and Carulli was happy that her team had a nice cushion when the conditions started to deteriorate.

“It was definitely good to have that lead,” she said. “It’s hard to control the ball when it’s slippery, and you also slip a lot on the field. It was a lot easier when the grass was dry.”

Hamilton (2-4) put up a late fuss but Lauren Korpics shot went off the post and Nora Pehnke made a nice save on Maxine Marano to preserve the shutout.

WWPN is coming off an 8-11-1 year in coach Darron Brown’s first season, and Carulli feels the returning players better understand his system in the second year. She also feels that the veterans and newcomers are working better together.

“I think we definitely have a lot of potential moving on now that we’re really starting to get our groove,” Carulli said. “I think that later on in the season we’re going to be able to do a lot better.”

WW-PN (4-3) Hamilton (2-4) Goals —

Adams, Vogel, Counts, Pelosi, Gardner (WWN).

Carulli 3 (WWN).

13 (WWN). 5 (H). Pehnke 4 (WWN). Firestine

Assists — Shots — Saves —

7 (H).

2 3—5 0 0—0

Follow Rich Fisher on twitter @fish4scores