Allentown takes control of CVC Colonial race
PRINCETON >> The Allentown High girls soccer team has put its rocky start to the season firmly in the rearview mirror.
The Redbirds took a huge step toward a second straight CVC Colonial Division title with a 3-0 victory over Princeton on Tuesday afternoon that moved them past the Tigers and into first place.
“I’ve been here for the past few years,” said Allentown junior Olivia Denney, who scored her side’s third goal, “so I know how important games like these are.”
The Redbirds (6-2) lost two of their first four games as coach Kim Maurer tinkered with different lineups and formations to integrate six new starters to a team that entered the season on a 26-game winning streak in CVC league games.
That streak was snapped at 28 following a frustrating loss to Hopewell Valley, but Allentown has bounced back with four consecutive victories, including important wins over division rivals Notre Dame and Princeton.
“In a game like today, it was a really big game, a really big conference game and I think we all stepped up and played together as a team,” Denney said. “We looked for the open player and it ended up working very well, especially in the last few minutes.”
Denney, a Monmouth University commit, has lined up at both right back and outside forward in a 4-1-2-3 and was back in an attacking role on Tuesday. It paid off early as Allentown pinned the host Tigers in their own half for the opening 15 minutes and eventually grabbed the lead after Denney set up Olivia Ricci for her eight goal of the season in the 17th minute.
With Denney deployed on the wing that left a back four of Kaylee Munster on the right, Addie Beckert on the left and Christina Golden and Lily Knott in the center. That group, along with goalkeeper Grace Welsh (seven saves), put in one of its best performances to date.
“They played very well together and we’re stepping up at the right time,” Denney said. “They dropped when they had to, filled in the spots when they had to. When they got the ball, they knew the difference between a big ball over the top, which is something that we struggle with sometimes, or finding peoples’ feet, which is something we did very well today.”
Princeton, meanwhile, played itself back into the game following a timid start. The Tigers (5-2-1) are excellent when countering into space and were only denied a first-half equalizer when Welsh made a terrific save to keep out Morgan Beamer’s left-footed effort.
“There was a lot of action there, and in the first half it was a pretty good (save),” Welsh said. “In the last few practices, I’ve been doing more work on coming off my line. It’s kind of instinctual to sense danger.”
Princeton got itself into dangerous areas and has played well for long stretches in both of its setbacks. Senior Lauren Rougas is one of the best players in the county and has greater influence on the game now that she’s in a more advanced position.
“She’s a ball winner and I want to continue to push her more into the attack,” Tigers coach Valerie Rodriguez said. “She’s a true holding mid and can switch the ball, but I’d like to see her more in the attack. She’s phenomenal in the air.”
While Princeton pushed for an equalizer that never came, Allentown wrapped a crucial three points when Kate Doherty pounced on a loose ball inside the box with 3:46 remaining and Denney added the gloss 1:29 later with an excellent solo goal. Allentown (6-2) 1 2 - 3
Princeton (5-2-1) 0 0 - 0
Goal: O. Ricci, Doherty, O. Denney (A); Assists: O. Denney (A); Shots: 9 (A). 12 (P); Saves: Welsh 7 (A); Marciano 3 (P).