Stuart Country Day Set to Launch Soccer Program

You never know what you can get unless you ask.

The girls at Stuart Country Day School asked for a soccer program.

And after months of preparation, their first game will be againstPrinceton Day School on September 14.

"The girls expressed an interest and the school kind of ran with it," said Megan Lipski, the first soccer coach in Stuart history.

Lipski was a logical choice. She has been coaching locally for several years in the Ewing Girls Soccer Association and knew several of the students at Stuart that were anxious to play.

Lipski applied for the job in late January and was offered the job a few days later.

"I met with the girls and answered their questions," Lipski noted. "I also met with the girls at the middle school."

There is currently not a team at the middle school. The team at Stuart will start at the club level, which means it will not count its record and can not participate in anyplayoff games. Only time will tell how smoothly it adjusts into a varsity program.

"It's definitely an exciting time," noted Kim Ciarrocca, Stuart's athletic director.

Ciarrocca previously coaching field hockey and lacrosse on the college level. Even she appreciated the unique -- and envious -- position Lipski has in starting a program from scratch.

"It's just a great feeling and opportunity," Lipski. "You get the chance to watch this develop. It's a good experience for coaches (Lyn Scott is the assistant coach) and girls. We'll both grow together."

Despite being in its first year, Stuart students had a lot of interest in the soccer program. Nicolette Andrzejczyk, Angela Bakhos, Debra Barksdale, Harlyn Bell, Katherine Blandford, Rachelle Brioche, Amethst Carey, Annaliza Carey, Chrtina Chun, Olivia Corr, Simrit Gill, Abigail Girgis, Tiyon King, Laurie Paul, Kenza Qermane, Paul-Anne Robb, Lexus Rodriguez, Toni Stradford, Yvonne Taylor and Emily Tyndall will be the first soccer players in Stuart's history.

Stuart has girls eager to play and someone eager to coach.

Even when she was going to high school locally at Notre Dame, Lipskiwas an assistant coach onthe softball team. She has been coaching for 10 years in the Ewing Soccer Association. Lipski is an instructor at the Phenoms Soccer Camp and was for the former soccer and softball coach at the Incarnation School

"It's just something I enjoy," said Lipski. "I like working with kids."

Lipski still plays soccer in a women's league. She's also active in volleyball and softball leagues. Before transferring to the College of New Jersey, Lipski earned two varsity letters in volleyball at Albright College.

What's different about the Stuart program for Lipski, is there is no path to follow. Everything Stuart does in soccer -- whether it be a pass,goal, assist, save, win or loss -- will be a first.

Practices start August 29. Stuart will play a 10-game schedule, with several days off deliberately planned between the games so the team can monitor its progress, work out the kinks in practice and work to build a program.

"Most of the girls have some experience with soccer," Lipski said. "We'll find out how much when we get out there and start kicking the ball around.

"I've been excited about this ever since I was hired in January. I know the girls are excited. This is just a great time."

And it all came about because the girls at Stuart simply asked for the opportunity.