Lady Pioneers Clinch First Outright Group I Title

EWING — After losing seven starters to graduation, the New Providence girls soccer team won their first outright NJSIAA Group I championship last night at The College of New Jersey.

Freshman reserve Casey Trezza, who didn't think she would even make the varsity roster this season, came into the game with 12 minutes left and shut down Pennsville with a score off a rebound with 1:41 left in the regulation.

The Pioneers freshman connected off a scrum in front of the goal, following a corner kick by Emma Culleton. The ball was sent to the far post and deflected off teammate Allie Boyle and a Pennsville defender. That's when Trezza, with her first varsity score just 10 yards from the goal, got the chance to become part of New Providence girls soccer history.

"I just saw it coming to me and kicked it," Trezza said. "It's incredible."

A strong finishing effort by the defense clinched the Pioneer's championship title, 1-0, a first for the Pioneers, who shared the crown in 2003 with Glen Ridge and in 2000 with Haddon Twp.

"I would like to say I expected to be back here, but it was somewhat unexpected," said Pioneers Coach Scott Murphy. "It's just fantastic and for them to win the first outright title is great."

The game was a battle throughout as the teams traded chances in the attacking end, with New Providence holding an advantage in shots, 11-3.

Senior Alex Smith, who came into the game leading South Jersey with 33 goals, was held without many good looks for Pennsville (16-7). Freshman defender Ashley Evangelos headed the pesky effort in the back with several key clears that preserved New Providence's 13th shutout on the season.

"They just moved the ball a little bit better," Smith said. "I think we were just too busy being back on defense and never could get much going."

Leading scorer Gina Caprara, who scored in each of the team's state tournament games and secured 20 goals under her belt this season, was held without a goal for the first time this postseason. She fired up several long prayers that never found the back of the net.

With 13:51 remaining, she had her best opportunity to connect. She took a shot from about 30 yards out that the Pennsville keeper Dani Cornman punched over the goal. On the ensuing corner, the Eagles defense cleared the ball away.

But Trezza's goal made way to the Pioneer's state title and Junior Jenna Madden crushed Pennsville's final hopes by sending the ball over the sideline as the final seconds ticked off the clock.

"We rarely get beat with balls getting through the defense," Murphy said. "We just play so well as a unit. The organization between the four in the back is so strong. They can track people so effectively."

For New Providence (18-3), the appearance in the game was a remarkable feat for a squad that lost seven starters to graduation.

Even without the huge losses of experience due to graduation throughout the lineup, the Pioneers managed to qualify for their third straight sectional title and improved on last season's 1-0 loss to Cresskill in the Group I semifinals.

The Pioneers wild ride to the Group title came after the loss of seven starters to graduation. A 2-1 early season overtime defeat to Scotch Plains-Fanwood and a win over Glen Ridge provided an indication that the team might have a chance to hang with the big guns in the county and the state.

Trezza's goal was just as unexpected as the team's appearance in the state title game.

Just three months ago, Trezza didn't think she'd even make the varsity roster.

As freshman vying for a reserve spot on a squad that had just lost 11 seniors, Trezza was in shock when she made the cut.

"I thought I might have a shot, but when I got the news, I was overjoyed," said Trezza, who was holding a yellow rose following the final game. "I was just happy to be on the team."

And on the biggest stage last night, the freshman reserve was much more than just another name on the roster.