New Coach, Same Expectations

The girls soccer team will have a familiar face on the sideline, but the face will be in a new role.

Glenn Hauge, who has been a been a varsity assistant for the past 15 years, takes over the program after the departure of former coach Vic DiPasquale.

Hauge, a 1991 PHS grad, is “very proud” to take over and is “looking forward to continuing our winning tradition.”

Replacing DiPasquale, who has won 250 games in his career, may be a daunting task, but Hauge returns several key players from his predecessor's .

Hauge will also inherit players from the junior varsity squad that won last year's Bergen County Tournament, as well as their coach Stephanie Murri, who will move up to become Hauge's assistant coach.

“Hopefully we’re going to be able to mix the new arrivals with the returning players,” Hauge said.

Gone are eight starters—Megan Lannigan, , Shayna Brock, Ashley Roessler, Stephanie Hallihan, Bianca Librie, Lauren Holden and Alex Garey.

Garey was vital to Paramus' success last season, recording a .78 goals against average—good for second-best in PHS history. She graduated with a career mark of 1.78.

Garey's departure leaves Paramus with a huge need at the keeper position.

Hauge and assistant Danielle Cibelli, both former keepers, hope to mold one of the young ladies on the roster into a starter by the opening game.

On his expectations for the upcoming season, Hauge said, “We’re looking at contending for the Big North title. Everything is wide open for us and we’re going to take it one game at time.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH:  Junior forward , senior sweeper Noelle Mattessich, senior right back/stopper Jenna Sula, senior midfielder Lauren Fiorino, senior midfielder/forward Alyssa Poplaski, sophomore forward Noelle Hodgins, sophomore keeper Colette Zarour

Cortes has a knack for finding the back of the net. The rising junior led the team with 21 goals, but she wasn't selfish either. Cortes also led the team with 12 assists. Her new coach referred to her as a "terrific young player" and a "hard worker." She will continue to be the focal point of the Paramus offense, and should continue to blossom as a player.

Last year, Mattessich and Sula anchored the Spartan defense with Brock and Roessler, and should continue to provide strong play as seniors. PHS allowed only 18 goals in 22 games, and the defense helped post nine shut outs.

Paramus' game ran through the midfield last year with first-team Bergen County selections Meier (nine goals, nine assists) and Lannigan (11). Fiorino (goal, six assists) and Poplaski (three goals, three assists) will have to fill the void.

Hodgins saw playing time as a freshman, and recorded three goals and nine assists. Expect her to play upfront along with Cortes, or be a good option off the bench.

There is a tight-knit chemistry between the captains, all of whom have the most varsity experience and will provide the leadership in a time of transition.

Zarour has big shoes to fill replacing Garey, but the the former got a look at keeper in the team's first scrimmage and showed some promise.

Having a talented JV squad fill in the holes capably will help lift a talented, semi-rebuilding Paramus team. Members of that team who should made an impact on the pitch at the varsity level include: Veronica Steele, Jill Oliff, Kelsey Revicki, Andrea Koustis, Aly Meyer, Lauren Feorenzo, Lara Philibosian, Victoria Poplaski and Kelsey Settecasi.

QUOTABLES:

"We definitely have the potential to win leagues this year and make a good run in the state and county tournament. We lost a lot of key players to graduation, but we still have a lot of returning talent and players ready to step up and perform." —Jenna Sula

"We lost a lot of talent last year with all the seniors graduating, and losing a coach on top of that wasn't easy. Coming in this pre-season but we're all working hard and getting past it." —Alyssa Poplaski

"It's really important that we come together as a team and prove to everyone that we can still compete." —Sarah Cortes

"We have a big season ahead of us. We have high expectations for ourselves and hope to go far in both counties and states." —Noelle Mattessich