Howell Outplays Marlboro, Wins 4-0

The Howell High School girls soccer team (2-1-0) defeated Marlboro High School (1-1-0) 4-0 today behind two goals from Jessica Vigna. The game was Marlboro’s home opener. Afterwards, Marlboro head coach Tim McGeough said they were just outplayed by Howell

“Losses are never good, but Howell deserved to win,” McGeough said. “They outplayed us from start to finish. They played with aggression, they played with heart, and we were off. At times I looked out on the field and didn’t recognize my own team.”

The first half of the contest was pretty even, with both teams having a couple chances to score. McGeough was not happy with his team’s communication and spacing, however, and that came back to bite them with just over a minute left in the half when Howell’s Caitlin Fisher scored on an assist from Chelsea James to make it 1-0. That was also the halftime score.

McGeough says failure to communicate starts at the top.

“Leadership – senior leadership, the girls that have played here long enough and know the game have to communicate themselves and step up. I can’t do it from the sideline. They need to man the ship on the field.”

A fiery halftime speech McGeough tried to rally the troops, and they got a good chance with just under 30 minutes left, but a great save from Howell goalie Stephanie Lehner kept it at a 1-0 score. Lehner finished with seven saves. Starting Marlboro goalie Allyson Weinberg had nine in defeat.

Howell got their next goal about three minutes later when Vigna scored on a header off a free kick by Taylor Szyarto to make it 2-0.

Howell tacked on another goal in the 68 minute when Alexa Masino scored to make it 3-0, and they concluded the scoring two minutes later when Vigna scored the second of her two goals.

That 4-0 tally turned out to be the final score. Howell had 13 shots on goal, while Marlboro had seven.

Howell head coach Courtney Krol was pleased with her team’s second half performance.

“I’m very proud with [the win,]” Krol said. “1-0 at the half, I wasn’t too happy with. We were dominating on the field, so I was happy they finally got the goals to show the overall result for the game.”

For McGeough’s Mustangs squad, they need to get these issues straightened out fast, with their next game being tomorrow at Long Branch.

“Overall we didn’t execute our game plan. We didn’t play how we normally do. You can think about it and learn from the loss but you gotta move. There are way too many games. We have a game tomorrow. So you just turn around and play another 80 minutes.”