Holmdel Girls Varsity: New Central Jersey Group 2 Champions

Photo: Credit Michael Bair.

Holmdel High School Girls Varsity Soccer Team

Central Jersey Group 2 Champions.

It was a day that will not be soon forgotten by Coach Jennifer Conroy, her players, their families or the Holmdel High School community. For the first time in the Holmdel High School girls soccer program history, the varsity soccer team has captured the Group 2 Central Jersey Championship by defeating Governor Livingston High School by a score of 2-1.

The first thirty minutes of the half were tense as Holmdel fans sat on the edge of their seats. With eight minutes remaining in the first half, junior Gabby Bair was able to deliver a perfect cross to junior Hannah Lee, who sent it into the net and put Holmdel up 1-0. Holmdel was able to carry that 1-0 lead into halftime and come out strong to start the second. Eleven minutes later, Holmdel was able to open up a comfortable 2-0 lead when Gabby Bair, as we have now grown accustomed to, was able to put it in the net. Bair was able to beat the Governor Livingston keeper to the ball as she came out to receive a pass back from her own player, and send it into the empty net. Governor Livingston did not go down without a fight, and they were able to convert off a corner kick in the 69th minute to bring the score within one.

But Holmdel locked down its defense and turned away any further attack that Governor Livingston tried to mount. The home team had a large spirited crowd in attendance trying to root them on but, Holmdel could not be distracted from it’s goal of a championship.

Senior goalkeeper Helen Burleigh, had 7 saves on the game. Burleigh also, a team captain, has been a varsity player for the last four years. She has been training hard since last season ended to help get her team to this spot. Burleigh is feeling relaxed and confident in the net, and with her teammates, and it shows in the Holmdel defense. “ There is good communication with my back line” says Burleigh. Holmdel plays with three defenders in the back, junior Casey Matthijs, her sister, sophomore Maggie Matthijs, and freshman, Kathryn Rebele. Burleigh says her team is looking forward to their next challenge, playing Sterling High School, the South Jersey Group 2 Sectional champs in the NJSIAA State semi-finals. The winner of that game will play in the state finals on Saturday at Kean College. Burleigh is confident in the way her team is playing and says she and her teammates are “going to fight to help make history for Holmdel High School on Tuesday”.

Burleigh is making Holmdel proud in ways outside of her play on the high school soccer field. Helen is committed to play Division I soccer at West Point Military Academy this fall. Helen is looking forward to playing at West Point and says of the school program that it has everything she wanted in a college but most importantly “ she is excited to serve my country in the biggest way possible.”

The Holmdel Girls will play this Tuesday at 5:30 p.m versus Sterling High School. The game will be played at a neutral site, St. Augustine High School in Richland, NJ. Congratulations to the girls. The entire community is proud of your success. Go Hornets!