Ravaged By Injuries in 2009, Knights on Health Kick

Whether it was a dislocated elbow, various knee ailments, concussions, mononucleosis, vertigo or back issues, injuries and illnesses hampered the West Essex girls soccer team throughout the 2009 season.

With many players, including seniors, out of the lineup, the Knights struggled to finish 5-14 overall. However, after receiving an at-large bid into the North Jersey Section 2, Group 2 state tournament, No. 16-seeded West Essex knocked off top-seeded Science Park in the opening round before being eliminated by Cranford.

"We really had to go with patchwork lineups," West Essex coach Bryan McNaught said.

"We were hit brutally hard," he said. "We didn't expect it at all."

Among those who graduated were Sloane Serpe, who's now playing lacrosse at the University of North Carolina after tearing her quad last fall, and defender Chelsea DeGiacomo, who was on the field for every minute of the team's games last year.

"There's going to be a lot of new faces on the varsity," McNaught said. "But I think we'll be a markedly improved team."

The team that opens the season Saturday night at home against Verona will certainly be young. 

Forward and co-captain Melissa Kuscin is the team's lone senior. She'll be joined up front by junior Julie Kayzermen, who was forced to play defense last season because of all the injuries.

Junior Shannon Wojcik, another player who was out of position last year because of injuries, will be either an outside or central defender. Sophomore goalkeeper Heather Gupton split time for most of last season, but has taken over the starting job this year.

"We have a lot of competition going on," said McNaught, whose team has one more scrimmage Wednesday at Elmwood Park. "We have competition all over the field."

Junior Shannon White, who missed all of the last season with a back injury, is the team's other co-captain and will play center midfield.

"We're looking at this year with more excitement and we're also excited about next year," McNaught said. "We certainly need improvement in scoring and on the hole in the midfield. But I really think we're a lot stronger this year."

The coach will carry 18 on the varsity—one senior, six juniors, five sophomores and six freshmen. Eight of them will be first-time letter winners.

West Essex will begin its second season in the Super Essex Conference's Liberty Division against teams like Montclair, the defending division champs, and Millburn, the reigning Essex County Tournament winners.

"There's no day off, there's not taking your foot off the gas with the schedule we have," said McNaught, who teaches English at the high school and is assisted by Heather Hemmer. 

Senior—Melissa Kuscin (forward); Juniors—Shannon White (forward), Alina Vitencz (defense), Julie Kayzermen (midfield), Shannon Wojcik (defense), Jen Shanker (defense), Alli Gassbaro (defense); Sophomores—Brianna Panico (midfield), Heather Gupton (keeper), Dana Silverblatt (defense), Kelly Egan (midfield), Steph D'Ascoli (midfield); Freshmen—Erica Perrotta (forward), Anna George (defense), Jenna Salluce (defense), Mel Felcher (forward), Nina Sisco (forward), Amanda Masterson (keeper).