Absegami Girls' Soccer Coach Lee Records Win No. 100

Winning is not new for the Absegami High School girls' soccer team.

However, the victory on Wednesday, Oct. 5 was special.

Not only did the Braves beat district rival Oakcrest, 2-0, to extend their winning streak to seven games, they also recorded win No. 100 for Braves coach Elizabeth Lee.

"The last four years we have been winning, and we have kept on winning, winning and winning," Absegami senior Erica Skroski said. "Last year we (won 18 games) and this year we knew about it and this is really big. Winning 100 games is big for any coach. This was a big game, too in the division. She will remember this for a long time."

"We love Coach Lee," said Absegami forward Jenna Seddon. "She is family to all of us. It's great that she got her 100th win."

After the final whistle sounded, two students ran out onto the field with a big banner signifying the milestone. Lee was also given flowers and balloons, and the team celebrated with cupcakes.

Lee, who is in her ninth season, gave much of the credit to her players.

"It's kind of surreal. I remember the first win nine years ago," she said. "It kind of sneaks up on you. The last couple of years we had a couple of good seasons so it really snuck up on me. It feels really good, but like I said to the girls, it says more about them than it does me. I appreciate the girls and the effort they give to get the wins."

The wins just keep on coming.

The Braves worked on breakaways in practice on Tuesday, and the extra work paid off for Seddon, who scored 16 minutes, 28 seconds into the game to give the Braves a 1-0 lead.

"It was ironic that I had a breakaway today and I just tried to place it," Seddon explained. "That's what they say to do. They said just to relax and place it. That's what I did."

"We did work on breakaways and finish those opportunities," Lee said. "We do get a lot of breakaways with Lexi Robinson and (Skroski) serving perfect through balls. It was nice to see her complete that after working on it."

Absegami put the game away late in the second half, scoring on a counterattack with 2:46 left in the game. The Falcons put a lot of pressure on the Absegami defense, but Absegami's Jordynn Bishop started the attack that led to the insurance goal.

Seddon received the ball on the left flank, and sent a pass into the box to Skroski. The Braves' senior waited, and waited, moving to her left before depositing the ball into the right side of the net.

"We tried to reach the intensity we had in the second half of Vineland (on Monday)," Skroski said. "We came out strong in the second half and we wanted to get that second one. We knew we had to be composed and patient and knew that second one would come. And that's what happened."

"She kind of scared me in there, but she is that type of player who can take two or three extra touches and still have time to finish," Lee said. "She really is an incredible player."

Absegami keepers Lexi Tunney and Hayley Grimm combined for the shutout.  Grimm made one save in the opening half; Tunney made five in the second, as the trailing Falcons went on the attack late.