Girls Soccer Off to Strong Start

For the Livingston Girls Soccer team, the final game of last season did not go the way they would have liked.

Although the Lady Lancers outplayed Randolph then, the Lancers were beaten and were knocked out of the Group 4 North 1 state playoffs.

"I think we were the better of the two teams," said Livingston head coach Paul Raiz. 

This year, the team is looking to do better.  On Monday, the girls started on the right foot, beating Mount St. Dominic 3-0 at home.

Still, as part of the top division in the Super Essex Conference —the American —coach Paul Raiz knows that in order for team to win titles this year, such as the American and Essex County trophies, the Lancers will have to beat teams such as Montclair and Millburn.  Last year, Livingston finished second in the American division and was knocked out of the Essex County tournament semifinals by Millburn.

"We're hoping to make it a three team race," said Raiz about the battle with Montclair and Millburn.

Livingston finished 2009 with a 13-7-2 record and graduated five seniors in Samantha Panzner, Nicole Golojuch, Brianna Schachtel, Rachel Loya and Elizabeth Scotti.

But Raiz has a roster that includes the best player in Essex County and also a hard-working group of sophomores that debuted last season to plaudits.

Senior co-captain Kate Schwindel, an All-State player who tallied 34 goals and 15 assists on the season while being named first team All-Essex County, will lead the team.

"She is the best soccer player that I have ever coached on the field and off the field," said Raiz, not mixing words. "She is extremely skilled and tough. She's doing as much as she can all the time."

Before the start of her senior year, Schwindel had already signed a letter of intent to attend West Virginia University to play soccer.  While she may be top in talent, the rest of the roster is well-rounded, too.

"They're a very high energy and hard workers," said Raiz about this group. "They are great to be around."

If teams double team Schwindel, the ball will go to the feet of forwards Clara Scher and Illana Bier, both sophomores. Scher contributed eight goals and 11 assists last season and was second team All-SEC.

One of the toughest players to replace from last year was Panzner, who is playing soccer at Marist College, and played at center midfield for Livingston. 

Taking over for Panzner will be sophomore Joanna Scotti, who saw time at forward and center mid last season, but will be playing center mid exclusively this season. She had eight goals and seven assists last season.

"She was a hybrid last season," said Raiz. "She has tremendous ball skills and she has a motor that won't stop."

Also in the midfield is senior captain Megan Kelly and sophomore Kristin Kelly (no relation) along with junior Samantha Attermann.

A pair of freshmen will play the backfield in twins Monica and Sabrina Flores, while the other defensive player is sophomore sweeper Carly Swenson, a second team All-SEC member.

The Lady Lancers have the benefit of both goal keepers returning this season. Sarah Bernstein and Michelle Millman both split time last season and Raiz believes that will be the case this season. They both had similar stats by giving up a little more than two goals per game.

Raiz said he'll go with the player that he feels is coming through with the best game. "I like to go with the hot hand," said Raiz, who added both have similar styles of goal keeping.

For Livingston to make a big impact this season, Raiz knows that his team will have  to hae a combination of skill and some luck.

"I think you got to get the lucky bounce of the ball and stay healthy," said Raiz. "We do have some depth, so we are looking forward to it."

Livingston 2010 Girls Soccer
(Games at 4 p.m. unless noted)

Sept. 13        Mt. St. Dominic
Sept. 15        at Caldwell
Sept. 16        at Cranford
Sept. 20       Montclair, 7 p.m.
Sept. 22       at West Essex, 7 p.m.
Sept. 25       Millburn, 2 p.m.
Sept. 27       at Newark Academy
Sept. 29       Nutley
Oct. 2           at Union, 10 a.m.
Oct. 5           at Mt. St. Dominic
Oct. 7           Caldwell
Oct. 9           Mt. Olive, 2 p.m.
Oct. 13         at Millburn
Oct. 19         West Essex, 7 p.m.
Oct. 22         at Nutley, 7 p.m.
Oct. 29         at Montclair