Hopatcong Girls Soccer Smacks Sussex Tech

Kristin Toropiw, Nicole Jaronsky and Donya Forst each scored goals for Hopatcong as the Chiefs cruised to their first win of the season against Sussex Tech, 3-1.

The Chiefs' win over the Mustangs evened their season record at 1-1-1.

Sussex Tech was virtually helpless against Hopatcong's defense. The Mustangs managed only six shots on goal throughout the game. Any time the Mustangs were able to move the ball past midfield, Hopatcong's defenders shut them down. They smothered Tech's ball handlers and clogged up their passing lanes.

"We have a young defense, so it's all about playing smart," Toropiw said. "We do a lot of talking to each other during the game. For our defense, it's all about communication."

Chiefs' starting goalkeeper Stephanie VanBeke, who totaled four saves, was brilliant in the net on the rare occasions she needed to be.

"Our defense did a great job," VanBeke said. "I didn't have to make too many saves."

Despite VanBeke's humility, Chiefs head coach Hilary Gorzelnik was full of praise for her starting goalkeeper.

 "Stephanie has been outstanding," Gorzelnik said. "She has been doing a great job all year."

Perhaps the most impressive thing about VanBeke's performance in the net is that this is her first year playing organized soccer.

"She's brand new," Gorzelnik added. "She never played in her life before this year."

As good as the Chiefs' defense was, their offense was equally potent. Hopatcong, who spent the majority of the game on the Mustang's half of the field, totaled 26 shots on Sussex Tech goalkeeper Monica Rinn.

Gorzelnik attributed the Chiefs' offensive performance to strong fundamentals and sticking with their game plan.

"We generally try to overload one side of the field," Gorzelnik said. "We just worked our basics and our technique. We really don't try to alter our game plan depending on who we're facing. We just try to play our game regardless of our opponent."

"It was a nice change to be able to stay on the offensive for a change," Toropiw said. "We just played smart. We didn't try to force anything and just let our opportunities develop."

Jaronsky put the Chiefs on the scoreboard midway through the first when she redirected a corner kick past Rinn to give Hopatcong the lead.

The score remained 1-0 until midway through the second half when goals by Forst and Toropiw, which occurred barely two minutes apart, took some of the steam out of the Mustang's sails.

Throughout most of the second half, Hopatcong continued to put the pressure on Sussex Tech's defense. Only a spirited effort on the part of Rinn prevented the game from turning into a complete blowout.

Sussex Tech's only goal of the day came after Gorzelnik pulled VanBeke with just minutes to play to get some playing time for backup goalie Gina Costanza. Heather Stewart broke free at midfield and lobbed a kick just past Costanza's outstretched hands.

After the game, several Hopatcong players anticipated that the win was merely the first sign of good things still to come.

"Today was the good start we needed, and we'll progress from here," Jaronsky said.

"This win is good for our confidence, VanBeke added. "It shows us we can do anything we want if wee put our minds to it."

Hopatcong 3, Sussex Tech 1

Goals:

H- Nicole Jaronsky, Donya Forst, Kristen Toropiw

S- Heather Stewart

Saves:

H- Stephanie VanBeke 4, Gina Costanza 1

S- Monica Rinn 23