Absegami Girls' Soccer Team's Pivotal Moment May Have Come Against EHT

A loss to Egg Harbor Township High School early in the 2010 girls' soccer season may have been the turnaround to what was Absegami's best season in school history.

The Braves hope similar success will come to them after another early
loss this year.

Absegami lost to Hammonton for the first time in 15 years, as the Blue Devils knocked off the Braves, 1-0, on Sept. 13.

The Absegami captains brought the team together after the loss for a
meeting, and the team went out and beat Egg Harbor Township, 3-2, on Sept. 15.

"The captains got the team together to sort some things out," Absegami coach Elizabeth Lee said. "They spoke about the goals we have set and some of the things we want to accomplish. We refocused ourselves on that. Last year we lost to EHT and we went on to win all our league games. That game was a turnaround, and maybe we look for this as a catalyst this season."

The Braves allowed two goals against the Eagles, one on a penalty shot, and another on a set play. However, the Braves had their best
offensive output of the season, as Jenna Seddon scored twice, and
Erica Skroski added a goal.

Seddon played a pivotal role in the Absegami defense last season, but
was moved to forward to give the Braves a boost offensively this
season.

The move certainly paid off against the Eagles.

"We knew that scoring goals may be a challenge this season," Lee said. "We moved Jenna up to see what she can do. She is a good athlete and we felt she can be dangerous up top.

"We think she can challenge other defenders. She is dangerous and
teams need to keep an eye on her. She scored two goals against EHT. We expect a lot of good things out of her."

Better Than It Looks

The last week,
but the score is somewhat misleading.

The Vikings were clearly the better team, however, the Braves had
several chances to put the ball in the back of the cage.

The Braves’ underclassmen, which are included throughout the lineup,
showed glimpses of a promising future.

Absegami put some pressure on Atlantic City, but the Braves still need
to find the scoring touch.

Defense Not the Problem

The Absegami boys' soccer team already has been tested this season with games against St. Augustine, Hammonton and Egg Harbor Township.

The Braves lost to the Hermits and Eagles and sandwiched in a tie with Hammonton. The team allowed five goals in three games, but only netted two goals.

It may have been three losses if not for first career
goal. The senior defender doesn't get many chances to score, but he
headed home the game-tying goal with three minutes remaining in
regulation in a 1-1 draw against Hammonton on Sept. 13.

"It was exhilarating. I play defense and I never scored before. It was
amazing," Ahern said.

Pack Leader

Absegami's Salman Khalid was first to cross the finish line in a
tri-meet against the Mainland and Millville cross country teams. However, the Braves dropped both meets, losing, 25-34 to Mainland, and 22-37 to Millville.

Khalid finished the course in 16 minutes, 56 seconds. Teammates Will
Slournoy (18:47) and Kenny Worth (18:52) finished eighth and 10th,
respectively.

The Absegami girls also lost both of their meets as Millville won,
16-44 and Mainland won, 21-39. The Braves' Katie Juniewicz finished
fifth in 22:18.