Fall Sports Preview: Girls' Soccer Plots Turnaround

Hopatcong's girls soccer season was mostly rough last year.

They girls finished 2-18. All the while, they had to watch the boys' squad go all the way to the state tournament semifinals.

Chiefs head coach Hilary Gorzelnik had some ideas as to why last year was a struggle.

"We had 12 seniors graduate [in 2008]," said the Slippery Rock University graduate, entering her fifth season as Hopatcong's coach. "We had a brand new group"

Now that brand new group is a year older, a year wiser. In fact, the team looks to boast 12 upperclassmen.

While the Chiefs will have more experience under their cleats this season, some younger players will look to make their marks. Gorzelnik said Rachel Meredith, a freshman, could provide a spark.

Gorzelnik said the Chiefs' midfield should be their strength. She also mentioned senior midfielders Gabi Castillo and Kristen Toropiw as players she expects to have a good season. 

The second period of Hopatcong's scrimmage against Mount Olive saw the Chiefs struggle to maintain any possession of the ball, and they rarely get it out of their half of the field. (The teams played three periods instead of two halves.)

But in the third period, the Chiefs came out like they had something to prove. Although the ball never found the back of the net, the tables had certainly turned, as it was the Marauders who were having difficulty getting the ball out of their own zone. The Chiefs had a few good scoring opportunities that were either thwarted by the Mount Olive goaltender, or flew just wide of the net.

Coming off last season season, making the state tournament would be a joy for Gorzelnik and the Chiefs.  Gorzelnik said reaching the state tournament is the team's goal this year. 

Hopatcong has a final tune up scrimmage scheduled for Sept. 3 at DePaul Catholic High School at 10 a.m. Their first official game of the season is at home against Phillipsburg High School on Sept. 10 at 4 p.m.