Young Lady Maroons Might Become Road Warriors

The first challenge for the Ridgewood High School girls soccer team was the graduation of several of its seniors.

And now the Lady Maroons could have another challenge, playing all its games on the road this season.

Ridgewood head coach Jeff Yearing was not optimistic this week that the turf field at the high school would be ready for not only the opener but for the entire season after Hurricane Irene did its damage along with the aftermath this week of more rain.

The Lady Maroons were supposed to play Hackensack at home on Saturday night, but that has been moved to Hackensack at 2:30 p.m.

Despite the possible scenario of playing road warriors, Yearing believes his team will be able to put it aside.

The Lady Maroons finished second last season in the Big North Freedom Division to Paramus and are expected to have to beat out the Lady Spartans again this year. As always, there are also the tough Bergen County and state tournaments.

Ridgewood finished last season in the second round of the Group 4 North 1 state tournament with a 5-1 loss to top-seeded Morris Knolls while the Lady Maroons were knocked out in the second round of the Bergen County tournament, a tough 4-3 loss to Ramsey.

But Yearing is not even thinking about the two tournaments late in the season. For now, he's looking at the start of 2011-2012. "Our primary goal is to play the best game we can," said Yearing.

One of the keys to the season will be figuring out how to plug the hole left by graduated senior midfielder Kate Garbarini, who was third team All Bergen County this past season. Still, there is strength up the middle this year.

The only two-full time starters from last year's team are anchored in the center, and both will be expected to set the tone for the Lady Maroons. Senior co-captains center defensemen Ashley Davidson and senior center midfielder Courtney Tarleton will be counted on heavily this season.

Ridgewood will be banking on Davidson to lead the Lady Maroons defense. "It's her ability to organize in the back and leadership," said Yearing in praising Davidson. "She has very technical ability. We like to attack from the back and she can get things going and lead."

In Tarleton, the Lady Maroons have a solid presence in the middle of the field and forward. "She's a very good leader and has a strong work ethic," said Yearing. "She's very good in transition."

Still, with a theme of youth in 2011-2012, there are numerous other holes to fill. 

Senior goal keeper Michelle Savuto is out at college, so the team will look to sophomore Olivia Shaw, the backup last season. "She has been excellent technically and will grow with the team," said Yearing.

Along with Davidson in the back, Ridgewood has the likes of sophomore Olivia Rosenfield, currently injured, junior back Julia Granski who moves up for the junior varsity last season, sophomore back Lindsey Gray and senior back Kaitlin Concilio.

The young Lady Maroon midfield will led by Kelly McBrearty, who chipped in a few goals last season. She'll be joined with sophomore Katie Conklin.

Despite the youth the Ridgewood head coach has liked what he has seen during the preseason. "So far so good,” said Yearing. “It's going to be a work in progress, but I think we can play with anybody.”

Upfront is sophomores Darby Kiernan and Maura Feeney, who missed time with an injury last season. McBrearty could also see time upfront at forward. Also on the roster is freshman Beth Zrike and sophomore Devon Maltz, both being noted as potential top notch strikers.

Still, with challenges in new blood and an unsettled home base, things won't get any easier with a tough schedule. Not only is the possibility of playing on the road formidable, but having to play the likes of both Paramus and IHA twice during the season, as well as perennial powers Ramapo, Northern Highlands, Kearny and Old Tappan, a daunting task. It could easily qualify the Lady Maroons as having one of the toughest schedules in North Jersey.

Ridgewood 2011 girls soccer schedule (Games at 4:15 p.m. unless noted):


Sept. 10        at Hackensack, 2:30 p.m.
Sept. 13        at Ramapo, 7 p.m.
Sept. 15        at Passaic Tech, 4 p.m.
Sept. 17        Lakeland, 11 a.m.
Sept. 20        Teaneck
Sept. 22        at Immaculate Heart Academy
Sept. 24        Bergen Tech, 11 a.m.
Sept. 27        at Paramus, 7 p.m.
Oct. 1            Kearny, 7 p.m.
Oct. 4            Northern Highlands
Oct. 6            at Hackensack, 7 p.m.
Oct. 10          Fair Lawn
Oct. 12          at Teaneck
Oct. 15          at Old Tappan, 2:30 p.m.
Oct. 18          Immaculate Heart Academy
Oct. 22          Paramus, 11 a.m.
Oct. 24          Demarest
Oct. 27          at Bergen Tech, 4 p.m.