Lee Goal Lifts Holmdel Into State Finals

Photo: Holmdel High School Girls Varsity Soccer Team

It was a cold one tonight at St. Augustine High School in Richland, NJ but it does not appear that any Holmdel fans minded the teeth chattering weather. The fans, no doubt, warmed right up when junior forward Hannah Lee picked a very good time to score her 16th goal of the year. With about 4 minutes remaining in the first overtime, Junior Gabby Bair took the free kick on a penalty call from the 18 yard line and sent it sailing into the box. Lee was able to get a foot on it among the scrum and send it sliding around the Sterling keeper and inside the net. That goal broke a scoreless game and propelled Holmdel into the State Group II finals for the first time in Holmdel High School history.

Both teams battled back and forth for much of the first half with neither team able to claim the first entry onto the scoreboard. Sterling had a few chances that were turned away and missed wide. Holmdel did score in regulation, twice, but had both goals called back on offsides penalties.

Holmdel came out and dominated in the second half, completely controlling the tempo of the game. Sterling goalkeeper Maria Cice had an outstanding performance, with 11 saves on the night, that kept her team in the game and Holmdel out of the net. But, with the constant pressure from Holmdel it was only a matter of time before the Hornets would break through.

The win tonight is best described as a team effort. The defense, anchored by junior Casey Matthijs, helped senior West Point bound goalkeeper Helen Burleigh put up another shut out, and keep the ball out of the back third of the field. Senior midfielder Jamie Roth, is looking forward to the next game on Saturday. Roth says “In the beginning of the season we were overlooked in all of the previews and one of the goals this season was to prove them wrong. I think we have done that so far.” Roth, a team captain is one of 3 senior starters along with Burleigh and center midfielder Danielle Panteleone, on this very young Holmdel team. Having lost 12 seniors and 6 starters from last year, it seems everyone underestimated what Holmdel could do. Yet, Holmdel returned a strong core of starters in Bair, Lee, Burleigh and Mattijis and added some stand out freshman starters in Abbey and Kailey Flynn and Kathryn Rebele. When coupled with key returners Catherine Cirigliano, Roth, Pantaleone and Maggie Matthijs, it provided a strong recipe for success and Holmdel’s perfect 10-0 start to the season. Holmdel seems to relish being the underdogs and the girls are peaking at just the right time to head into their biggest game of the year against Ramapo.

As is fitting for the state finals, Ramapo seems to be the toughest opponent that Holmdel will face this year. The Hornets will play Star Ledger ranked #10 Ramapo in the NJSIAA Group II State Finals on Saturday at Kean College in Union at 3 pm. Girls’ Shore Conference teams have done very well this season, with Colts Neck competing for the Group 3 title and Shore Regional, the Group I, title, both of those games also being played on Saturday at Kean College. Unfortunately, all boys shore conference teams have now been eliminated and will not be represented in the finals.

Calling all Hornets’ fans, now is the last time this year to get out and catch a game. Come out and support the girls in their quest to bring home the State Championship and make history for Holmdel. Fans make all the difference, put on your Holmdel blue and head over to Kean. The girls cannot wait to see you there. And, girls, no matter what the outcome on Saturday, you have made all of Holmdel so very proud this season.