Plenty of intrigue surrounding CVC season
You try and replace 67 goals from one of the most prolific girls soccer team’s in Colonial Valley Conference history.
That’s what Hopewell Valley coach John McGinley is tasked with heading into the 2017 season, which begins on Tuesday afternoon.
The Bulldogs bulldozed through the county en route to a long-awaited Mercer County Tournament championship, but begin this season with question marks after graduating eight seniors from that side.
“We are really excited about the blend of veterans and newcomers to the team,” said McGinley, now the dean of CVC coaches after Hightstown’s Don Hess retired. “All of the players have been working hard and developing good chemistry. We are looking to improve throughout the season and be peaking in October.”
As good as Hopewell has been, it’s hard to call the Bulldogs favorites in the Patriot Division when you look at the firepower Steinert returns from a 19-win team.
“Coming off a 19-win season, this team is hungry to do the same,” Spartans coach Mike Hastings said. “We need to play as a team and work hard during training to be successful.”
Robbinsville, Group 2 semifinalists last season, and Lawrence, coming off a 12-win campaign, have the ability to take points off either of the Patriot’s top clubs.
Victoria Camera, one of three new coaches in the CVC, takes charge at Notre Dame, a program that has won 34 games in the last two years.
“We want the players to know how great of an opportunity it truly is to be able to wear a Notre Dame jersey,” Camera said. “In order to belong to an elite program, comes discipline. I am thrilled to have girls so focused and determined not only to play for the team, but for the school name.”
Princeton should challenge the Irish in the Colonial Division.
Valley Division favorite Allentown returns its top three scorers, while West Windsor North appears to be the most improved side in the CVC.
“We have a talented young team that will hopefully win some big games in the CVC,” WW-PN coach Darron Brown said. “Our team strength is our speed of play and ability to keep possession. We have very versatile players that interchange well and can play multiple positions.”
COLONIAL DIVISION PATRIOT DIVISION