Panthers Senior Scores High Marks In Showcase

Being selected for an all-star team is typically a highlight for an athlete, who often says the day of the game is more than just a number on a calendar.

But what if that game was not the only major event happening for the athlete that day?

What if the person had to take a test? And not just any test, but the SATs?  

But that was the dilemma facing senior Melanie Greco on Saturday, as she was supposed to take her SATs, but was also selected by the New Jersey Girls Soccer Coaches Association to play in a senior showcase.

"My day consisted of waking up at 7 a.m. on a Saturday," Greco said with a smile.

But she was pleased with how she did on the test. "I think I did well."

Unfortunately, the team didn't do as well, and Greco and her North squad lost 1-2 to the South Central team after a second chance shot went in late in the second half.

North coach Kevin Ewing put Greco into the game very soon after she arrived at the contest. Ewing said he just wanted to make sure all of the young women had a chance to play in the showcase.

But Ewing also said he was pleased with Greco's effort.

"She went in there with the North 1 group," Ewing said. "Every time she went in, she played hard and created some opportunities for us. It just didn't happen."

Greco, who has already committed to play at Montclair State University next fall, said she hopes to have done well enough on the SATs to earn some academic scholarships.

But playing many of the same girls she competed against on her club teams and in high school was weird, Greco said.

"But it's soccer," she said. "So if you know how to play the game, you can play with anyone."

Scoring was at a premium in this contest, a fact Ewing blamed on the high talent level on the pitch.

"Obviously both teams are a field with all stars," he said. "It's just the unfamiliarity with how each [team member] plays that makes it a little difficult, but the kids played well."

The South-Central team scored first on a goal from Gloucester Catholic's Korey Harkin at the 35:34 minute mark of the first half. North wasted little time before its rebuttal, tying the score at one exactly one minute later on a goal from Livingston's Kate Schwindel.

Schwindel was assisted on the goal by Megan Gilmartin of Glen Rock High School.

The game remained largely in doubt for most of the second half, until Hailey Langton of Notre Dame rebounded a save from the North's goalkeeper, and sent the ball to the back of the net at the 80th minute mark.