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sports&recreation THE OBSERVER | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2013
Kearny girls’ tennis: Doubles trouble
SPORTS VIEW Contact Jim at Ogsmar@aol.com
Lyndhurst boys’ soccer: Finding their way through growing pains Lyndhurst High School boys’ soccer coach Rob Kost is trying to find some continuity with his team. It’s not easy. “We’ve had our share of injuries and red cards,” Kost said. “It’s tough to compete without a full team. We’re maneuvering a lot. I’m impressed with the effort.” Recently, Kost added a freshman to the lineup and Doug DaSilva has provided a bit of a boost. “It seemed as if he lit a fire under everyone,” Kost said of DaSilva. “I think that’s the spark we needed to get going.” DaSilva scored a goal and added an assist in his varsity debut. “It’s just what we needed,” said Kost, whose team now has a 4-5 record this season. “He was all over the field. Being shorthanded, we didn’t have much up top, but we’ve definitely evolved since we put him in.” The Golden Bears’ goalkeeper is senior Matt Lemke, who Kost called “the emotional leader of the team.” Lemke missed some time at the beginning of the season due to a sprained ankle, but he’s returned to maintain
stability in goal. Kost has been juggling players at the sweeper position, using players like versatile senior Giuseppe Pollicino and sophomore Andrew Cosman at the spot. “Giuseppe has been the backbone and solidifies the back, so we move him around,” Kost said. The stopper is senior Erik Marulanda, who missed all of last season with a knee injury, but has returned this season entirely healthy. “Getting him back was a big help to us,” Kost said. The other defenders are seniors Danny Zerboni and Devin O’Donovan and promising sophomore Montana Thungasson. Senior Anthony Cardaci, who started last year as the Golden Bears’ goalkeeper, then moved to midfield, has returned to his midfield slot. Cardaci gives Kost the option of playing him in either spot. Cardaci has scored two goals this season. Another key midfielder is senior Anthony Giaquinto, who only played two games last year due to an injury. “We’re so glad to have see VIEW page
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Both Kardinal doubles teams win Hudson County championships
Photo by Jim Hague
Both the Kearny High School girls’ tennis first and second doubles teams won Hudson County Tournament championships recently. Front row, from l., are first doubles champs Gabriella Robles and Jessica Martinez. Back row, from l., are second doubles champion Mallory McBride, head coach Amy Lasker and second doubles champ Monica Shenoda.
By Jim Hague Observer Sports Writer
There’s also the strategy behind pairing one player with another. For example, on the erhaps the toughest asKearny team this year, sophopect of the game of tennis more Mallory McBride and is playing doubles. junior Jessica Martinez were With a singles player, you first-year members with the just grab your racket, take to varsity. Both girls had to find the court and go. their own bearings before worIn doubles, there are a lot rying about the proper pairing of factors to consider. There’s for doubles. teamwork, camaraderie and to“I think the key is being supgetherness. There’s timing and portive of each other,” McBride chemistry. There’s communica- said. “We also worked hard.” tion at the highest level. “Honestly, there was a little “It takes patience,” said bit of doubt whether we could Kearny High School head girls’ do it,” Martinez said. “We tennis coach Amy Lasker. “You didn’t know each other well, need someone who is a good so we didn’t know if it would listener, someone who is trust- work out.” worthy. It takes a lot of teamBut Lasker saw something in work and trust in each other. her doubles teams. It’s one of the most difficult Lasker paired senior returnee positions to be in tennis.”
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Gabriella Robles with Martinez for the first doubles team and then placed senior Monica Shenoda with McBride for second doubles. The strategy worked out brilliantly, as both Kearny doubles teams won their respective flight in the recent Hudson County Tournament championships. It was the first time ever that Kearny won both doubles county titles. “They all had great teamwork,” Lasker said. “I think it helped that there was a senior with the younger girls to help with their confidence. Gabriella has a champion’s attitude. She doesn’t like to lose and she’s always working. Jessica has the same attitude, so it’s see TENNIS next page