Morgan keeps Steinert moving toward sectional crown
Steinert High girls soccer coach Mike Hastings never has to worry about Lynzie Morgan.
The fourth-year coach knows his center midfielder is going into every challenge 100 percent committed.
“She’s our engine,” Hastings said. “For four years, that’s what she’s been doing. She’s feisty. She’s never going to back away from a challenge or shy away.”
Without Morgan, who has committed to Rowan University, it’s unlikely the Spartans would be 181-2 and two victories away from adding a Central Jersey Group III sectional title to the trophy case.
“Just from preseason, we’ve been getting at it everyday,” Morgan said. “First CVC, then MCT ... and we want to keep going.”
Morgan has posted five goals and eight assists — she takes the team’s corners — but her value is highest when she’s breaking up or starting counter attacks.
“Just holding together the whole midfield,” the senior said when asked about her role. “Keeping it controlled and organized. Always looking for that pass to get the goal started.”
Of course Morgan’s not opposed to smashing one in like she did for Steinert’s second goal in its quarterfinal win over Lawrence. “I just nailed it,” she said. The Spartans host Toms River East (12-4-1) on Monday afternoon in the sectional semifinal.
The sixth-seeded Raiders survived a first-round shootout against Brick Twp. then went on the road and held off Burlington Twp., 3-2.
Senior Jillian Conklin has 31 goals and nine assists, so Hastings is well aware of the danger TRE presents.
“They have one girl who has 30-some goals and she’s pretty dynamic,” Hastings said. “We’re going to have to match her. They play kind of an interesting system, but I think we can beat them. I watched the a little bit against Burlington Twp. and they were up 2-0 and it ended up being 3-2. If we play the way we can, we’ll be OK.”
Meanwhile, Allentown, the top seed in the section, entertains fifth-seeded Colts Neck (11-5-1).
The Redbirds (18-1) rebounded from that loss to Steinert in the Mercer County Tournament final with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Freehold Borough in the quarterfinals.
The Cougars advanced with an 8-3 win over Jackson Liberty in the first round before edging Moorestown in a shootout in the quarterfinals.
“They’ve heard of Colts Neck the last three years, so they know how good they are,” Allentown coach Kim Maurer said. “Knowing we have home field advantage, this is ours to lose. All I can do is keep them going”