9 minute read
Sports
Sports & Recreation
WITH Jim Hague
ogsmar@aol.com
Belleville girls’ soccer team sits atop SEC Colonial
Faith D’Angelis has taken over the coaching reins with the girls’ soccer program at Belleville High School, replacing long-time coach Bethann Garrett, who had to endure a 1-13 campaign last year, including 13 losses in a row to close the season out.
D’Angelis isn’t fazed by what happened in the past. After all, she has nothing to go on. She’s a native of Holtsville on Long Island, a 22-year-old newcomer who just graduated from the soccer team at Caldwell University.
“When I was at Caldwell, I decided I wanted to become a teacher and I decided that I wanted to stay in New Jersey,” D’Angelis said.
So when Garrett decided not to return, D’Angelis inquired about the position, despite her relatively young age.
“I actually got the job early on,” D’Angelis said. “At first, it was a little tough coming in. I realized that a lot of them have jobs and other commitments. I had to work a little to get them all together. Once they learned a little bit about me, they felt more comfortable.”
D’Angelis said that she also had a better feeling about her team in late August.
“That’s when things started clicking,” D’Angelis said.
The Buccaneers have a lot of returning players, but remarkably, the team has very few seniors.
“The chemistry was already there,” D’Angelis said. “I think we have a good team with a good future. We had a lot of newcomers coming in.”
But no one could have ever predicted what is transpiring with D’Angelis’ team. The Bucs own a 6-1 record and sit atop the Super Essex County-Colonial Division standings. Imagine that. A team has gone from a 13-match losing streak to a 6-1 record in one year. That’s a remarkable turnaround.
But D’Angelis isn’t content to rest on her successful first month of her coaching career.
“I honestly don’t think we’ve reached our full potential yet,” D’Angelis said. “We have a lot of kids trying to prove that they belong on the field. We have so much to grow on. I think that leads to success. I think they’re getting a different perspective. I’m excited to see how these girls push themselves mov-
Kardinals facing much tougher girls’ soccer schedule
Photo by Jim Hague The Kearny High School girls’ soccer team is solid as it comes along their defensive backline.
By Jim Hague ogsmar@aol.com
KEARNY – Before Mike Sylvia began his second season as the head girls’ soccer coach at Kearny High School, he wanted to make sure that a gigantic change was necessary.
Sylvia had to remove the Kardinals from the Hudson County Interscholastic Athletic League, where the Kards have simply dominated since the inception of the HCIAL a decade ago, and play basically an independent schedule.
“It was my decision,” Sylvia said. “I did it for our girls. We had to challenge them more. I’m happy with the league. The league has been good to us. But I feel that this was putting them in the best position. It’s the best thing for the girls.”
So instead of playing basically non-competitive matches against the Jersey City public schools, Sylvia put together a schedule that featured West Orange (a 1-1 tie), Watchung Hills (a 1-0 loss), perennial state playoff opponent Bridgewater Raritan-West (a 3-2 loss), Chatham (a 3-2 loss) and Livingston (a 4-1 win last Friday).
It doesn’t get any easier from there, because the Kardinals have matches slated against Montclair, Westfield and Lyndhurst, a showdown of the two local champions this Friday at 4 p.m. at Kearny High School.
Just to make things just a little tougher, but Hurricane Ida turned Harvey Field into Harvey Lake two weeks ago and the backwash of flood waters damaged the area’s best FieldTurf facility Pitch Perfect into Pitch Unplayable for the remaining of the season.
The Kards will play at either the high school
Don’t cry for Mike Sylvia because this is what he wanted and it’s going to make his program better in the long run – well, not the flooding of Harvey Field.
“I think we’re only going to get better,” Sylvia said. “I asked (former girls’ coach and current athletic director) Vin Almeida and he was all for it.”
So instead of having a gaudy eye-popping record after eight matches, the Kards own a more pedestrian 4-3-1 record. They will
KARDINALS
Continued from Page 9
still compete in the upcoming Hudson County Tournament to try to lay claim to their incomparable 12th straight county title, but the regular season is designed to face everyone else.
“Every game we play now is a battle,” Sylvia said. “We’ve had a couple of double overtime games already. We had a big win over Livingston. We have to be prepared every game, because we’re going to be challenged every game. I think this is great.”
In goal is junior Gaby Matias, who is a returning starter in net.
“She’s very calm under pressure and makes big saves,” Sylvia said.
The backup is sophomore Aracely Vazquez, who is more than capable between the pipes.
“She’s the future there,” Sylvia said. “She’s maturing as an athlete. I’m totally confident with either one.”
The team’s center back is one of the very best around – and one of the very best all-around athletes in the area.
Junior Maci Covello is so rock solid as the team’s center back. She’s also a great basketball and softball player, putting her in discussion with being among the top all-around athletes around.
“She’s fantastic,” Sylvia said.
Senior Andrea Toledo is the team’s “emotional leader,” according to Sylvia said. Toledo is the team’s other center defender.
Seniors Mariana Martins, Carly Natosi and Victoria Vinan join Covello and Toledo in what may be the best backline in the entire state.
“We’re strong back there,” Sylvia said. “It’s nice to have that kind of experience and leadership in the defense. It’s invaluable to have that kind of experience. It’s something you don’t get often. They’re as tough as nails.”
Freshman Olivia Covello, Maci’s little sister, is the team’s starter at defensive midfielder.
“She’s playing way above her years,” Sylvia said. “She’s physically much different than her sister, but she can play.”
Senior Abby Crispin is another midfielder who is a captain and the team’s leading assist maker with six.
The Schivel twins, Tatyanne and Gabriela, find their way into either the forward line or the midfield.
“Taty is coming off an injury, but she’s working her way back,” Sylvia said. “Gabby is rock solid. They kind of flip-flop back and forth.”
Not only are the Schivel twins juniors, but they are so totally identical. That has to confuse teams trying to defend them.
“Gabby is more of a forward,” Sylvia said. “It’s up to me how to use them.”
Gabby Schivel has four goals this season and two assists.
Julia Araujo and Emily Horvaht are also juniors with powerful legs and deadly shots. Both have scored four goals thus far, as has Maci Covello from her center back slot.
But the team’s leading scorer is junior Paige Raefski, who has five goals and three assists.
As you can see, it’s a well balanced attack.
“All of these girls have played together since their freshman year,” Sylvia said. “Some even longer. That’s definitely an asset for us. They all know each other well. I think they’re performing well under pressure.”
Freshman Vanessa Salgado gets into the mix. She’s a talented rookie who will collect headlines very shortly.
“She’s coming off the bench, but she deserves the time she gets,” Sylvia said.
The Kardinals’ only real defeat this season was to Hurricane Ida, but Harvey Field will recover eventually. The Kards are doing fine without a home and without a league, but might be better for it come state playoff time next month.
“We think our team is very talented,” Sylvia said. “But when you get to the top level, it’s more than talent. You need all the intangibles to get by.”
And it will be fun to watch the Kards compete for higher ground later this month.
Walter Perez, M.D.
Doctor of Obstetrics & Gynecology • Prenatal Care • Family Planning • Basic Infertility • Sterilization • Irregular Menses • Fibroids, Cysts, etc. Major Insurances Accepted
Now also taking United Community Health Plan Fluent in Spanish & Portuguese 213 Harrison Ave., Harrison, NJ • 973-350-0800
Most Insurances Insurances Accepted Accepted
“Make your vision picture perfect... picture perfect... See what you’ve been See what you’ve been missing. Visit our offi ce!” missing. Visit our offi ce!”
Family Eye Care
Eye Exams • Contact Lenses • Pediatric Care
Your Eye Care Professionals Dr. Maria Domingues
Lic # 27OA00630100 Dr. Jayswinder Kaur
Lic# 27OA00689700 Dr. Marina N. Megalla
Lic# 27OA00690300 Dr. Carla Domingues
Lic # 27OA00646200
348 Ridge Road • Lyndhurst View entire issue online! www.TheObserver.com
Dr. Prakash J. Doshi
Premier Care
TALKS
Dr. Hector Aguilar
DO I HAVE THE FLU OR IS IT FOOD POISONING? You are experiencing nausea, stomach cramps, vomiting, diarrhea, and a fever, but is it the flu or is it food poisoning? Stomach flu is a contagious virus, so the first question to ask yourself is, has anyone you know been sick lately? Likewise, food poisoning is probably going to affect anyone who ate the same tainted food that made you ill, so check in with any recent meal mates. Food poisoning is caused by bacteria in food, and symptoms usually strike suddenly a few hours after eating it. People are more likely to feel the flu coming on when they experience signs such as drowsiness, loss of appetite, and a sore throat.
You can reduce the risk of food poisoning by properly handling food and following four easy steps: wash, separate, cook and refrigerate. Although everyone is at risk for contracting food poisoning, certain vulnerable populations are even more susceptible, so be extra careful if you are high risk or handling food for older adults, pregnant women, younger children and those with weakened immune systems. To schedule an appointment, please call PREMIER CARE ASSOCIATES OF WEST HUDSON at 201-998-7474. Our office is located at 512 Kearny Ave., Suite B. P.S. One differences between the flu and food positions is duration. The flu lasts much longer, anywhere from three to fourteen days, as opposed to one to three days for food poisoning.
Email any questions or comments to: premiercare@gmail.com
