Hightstown picks up third straight victory
HIGHTSTOWN » There’s no better feeling for a goal scorer than to see the ball hit the back of the net.
Johaira Perez, the Hightstown girls soccer team’s leading scorer from last season, is now up and running.
Perez scored her side’s first two goals to give her four in the last three games and the Rams knocked off Hamilton, 7-1, on Saturday morning.
“I’m just happy that I’m playing with them because I love my team,” Perez said. “It all comes down to mentality and wanting to push yourself more.”
Raya Mount also added a pair of goals, while Kendra Power, Emma Shwom and Jamie Seip were also on target for the Rams (3-1), who have won three straight since an opening-day, 8-1, defeat to Allentown.
Hightstown has outscored opponents, 14-2, during this three-game winning streak.
“Considering how we started out, for us to change our style of play a little bit, change our positioning on the field and start putting goals in the back of the net it’s boosted our confidence a little bit,” Rams coach Samantha Biondi said. “It helps us pick our head up moving forward.”
Hightstown actually won three of its first four games last season, too, and then didn’t win again until the first round of the state tournament. That history isn’t likely to be repeated. “More than one,” Biondi said with a laugh. “The way we’ve been playing I foresee us winning more than one.”
“We have really good players this year and really good talent,” Perez said. “We’re bringing that out to the field more now and we’re being more aggressive, so we’re happy about that.”
Perez is on pace to top the 11 goals she scored last season.
“Not only does she have the skill and talent, but she’s the one kid on the field who picks everybody up,” Biondi said. “She motivates everybody and even if we’re down, she’s the first one to tell everybody to pick their heads up. Her motivation on the field is a huge impact for our team.”
Lauren Korpics scored from the spot in the second half for the Hornets (1-3). Hamilton (1-3) 0 1 - 1
Hightstown (3-1) 6 1 - 7
Goals: Korpics (Ham). Perez 2, Mount 2, Power, Shwom, Seip (Hi); Assists: McConnell, Morris, O’Leary, Mount, Pineda (Hi); Shots: 5 (Ham). 21 (Hi); Saves: Meehan 8 (Ham). Fox 1, Lynch 2 (Hi).