Girls Soccer Has New Coach, New Direction

Fall sports are about to start for Montville Township High School varsity squads. As opening day approaches, we look at teams as they ready for competition.

OVERVIEW

Mustangs girls soccer has not had a winning season in more than a decade but there’s plenty of excitement in this year’s camp. Dana Bertoli, a Morris Hills alum, has and there is an air of enthusiasm that seems to be catching on. It wasn’t long ago that Bertoli (and her junior varsity coach and former Morris Hills teammate Samantha Boschetti) roamed the Morris County fields. The young coach is anxious to make her mark and the Montville players seem eager to do the hard work necessary to move the program in a new direction.

LAST SEASON'S RESULTS

The Mustangs finished 2-16-1 which has been about the season average for most of the decade. Only once in the last 10 years has the varsity program won more than five games. They scored 10 goals last year including five in a pair of victories against Jefferson (another team that had a two-win season). They also had a 1-1 tie against an improving Mountain Lakes’ squad.

KEEP YOUR EYE ON

• Randi Pesci, Defense (Sr.)—Shoulder woes kept her on the bench most of the last two seasons. The gregarious player brings tremendous energy and her enthusiasm is contagious. She wants to make her senior season count.
• Kayla Spech, Defense (Sr.)—She returns to her defensive position physically stronger and more experienced. She is an athletic performer with a good foot.
• Charlotte Burnett, Midfield (Sr.)—The Mustangs want to establish much more ball possession and midfield control than in past seasons. Burnett’s performance is important. She has good vision, versatility and game savvy. If she can distribute the ball and create scoring opportunities for her teammates, the Mustangs will be much improved.
• Jamie Intile, Forward (So.)—She scored two of Montville’s goals as a freshman last year. She has good skills and can unleash a wicked shot with either foot.

THEY'LL MISS

Mariella Trogani, Midfield—The midfielder led by example and put good touches on the ball. She had tremendous heart and was one of the team’s bright spots.

Kera Pezzuti, Defense— She was a tenacious and emotional performer. She did some very good work in the back.

COACH'S TAKE

• "The girls are all very excited for the season to start. There is a new coaching staff and a new attitude. They have started the preseason very well. They are motivated and team morale is great. They want to win! … Overall, this team is looking to make improvements every day. We can’t wait to get the season started." —Bertoli

THEY SAID IT

• "We’re so motivated. We won our first scrimmage 8-1. I’ve never seen us play soccer like this my whole life. Everyone thinks were going to be bad but we are a totally different team. I’ve never seen us play like this in my four years of varsity. We have pressure on all of our backs to work for each other and prove that we are a different team." —Pesci
• "From the very first meeting (coach Bertoli) she said she was going to turn the entire program around and that everything was going to be her own. She has really followed up on that.’’ —Spech
• "She has high expectations for us, but nothing more than what we can bring. She knows we have the potential to be great. She’s really pushing us." —Burnett

Fall Sports Previews

Tuesday: Girls Soccer

Wednesday: Boys Soccer

Thursday: Field Hockey

Friday: Football