Steinert gets past gritty Lawrence to reach semis
HAMILTON » It was the kind of performance that has carried the Steinert girls soccer teamthroughout the season and to within one gameof a sectional title appearance — balanced scoring and lockdown defense.
The second-seeded Spartans got goals from three different players to defeat seventh-seeded Lawrence, 3-1, at Albert Cowell Field in an NJSIAA Cetnral Jersey Group III quarterfinals on Thursday night.
Steinert carries ab 18-match unbeaten streak intoMonday’s home semifinal against sixth-seeded Toms River East at a site and time to be determined. TRE upset Burlington Township.
About the only drawback for the Spartans (18-1-2) is they are still without a shutout under the lights atVeterans Park. Four of their eight goals allowed have come there — one in each game.
“But it’s a win, that’s all that reallymatters,” coach MikeHastings said.
And it was another outstanding defensive effort despite the goal, as Lawrence (9-9-1) had just one shot on goal until Kiley McCue’s score with 1:18 remaining.
“I think we played really hard the whole time and we just kept working at it,” outside back Chloe Zoldi said. “Even though thiswasn’t (MCT foes) Allentown or Pennington, we said before the game to play like it is because we played really hard throughout those entire games. We just have to keep playing hard through thewhole game.”
At the same time, it also wasn’t Westampton Tech, which Steinert beat 8-0 in Monday’s first round game. The Spartans got off to a sluggish start in the first 10 minutes before Giana Pittaro scored fromthe left flank in the 12th minute for her 18th of the season.
“I think we went from playing two really good teams like Pennington and Allentown and then when we got toWestampton (on) Monday we kind of slowed gears a little,” senior back Kristen Pirrocco said. “We were slacking in practice, and I think that it took us awhile to start playing against a better teamagain.”
After Pittaro’s goal Steinert continued to attack but Syracusebound Ally Wakeman made several nice saves to keep it a one-goal game. Early in the second half a throughball gaveLawrence’sVicky Wierzbowicz a 1-v-1 against keeper Erika Golik, but Golik came out to smother the ball beforeWierzbowicz could get off a shot.
Five minutes later, Lynzie Morgan scored off a flurry in front of the goal, and less than four minutes after that Michaela Miranda scored on a rebound off the post to make it 3-0.
“They started smelling blood a little bit,” Hastings said. “Giana gets that first goal. That’s always crucial to get that first goal because the longer you let a teamthat’s going to fight stay in it, it’s trouble. They’re always going to fight, Emily (Palombo) does a great job, they’re never going to back down as you could see when they scored that late goal.”
It was an emotional night for Palombo, who bids farewell to 12 seniors that have helped the coach bring the program back to respectability.
“We didn’t have a bad game, I just wished we could have produced more offensively,” Palombo said. “They played tough and had some mistakes that Steinert finished. It was a great team, I’ve been happy with them and the season.
“I love this season and this group and I’m going to miss them. They were just a good group of girls, tremendous leaders for us. I’m happy we put one in and they didn’t stop playing until the end. I thought we had a decent game. Heads high.” McCue (L). Pittaro, Morgan, Miranda (S). Audet (L). Grehan, Navarro, Pittaro (S). 2 (L). 11 (S).
Wakeman 6, Hatfield 2 (L). Golik 1 (S).