South Brunswick Girls Soccer Hopes to Win in Rebuilding Year

After winning two thirds of its games last season, the South Brunswick High School girls soccer team will see what it can do without two thirds of its 2011 team.

Change is natural for high school sports. It's just not always as dramatic as what South Brunswick will face. Only five of the 18 players that helped South Brunswick to a 12-6-1 record and a spot in the Middlesex County finals will be back.

According to Coach Beth Barrio, 11 players graduated. Two sisters on the team were also lost when their family moved to Georgia.

"There will be many new faces in the mix for the Vikings as they grow and develop throughout the months to come," Barrio said.

Of the five returning players, two are seniors. They are Jessica Puchalski and Bryce Knoblock. Puchalski is a forward. Knoblock is a midfielder.

Juniors (defender/midfielder) and Jenna Mastronardi (midfield) are back, along with sophomore Rebecca Michael (defender).

Barrio will be counting on a lot of newcomers this year, including senior Taylor Stephens (defender).

The juniors new to varsity are Allison Boni (midfield), Taylor Brantley (defender), Kelly Ciabattone (midfield), Courtney Eisma (goalie), Casey Savoth (goalie), Samantha Stojanovski (midfield), Miho Yamada (forward) and Jessica Zimmerman (defender).

Also in the mix are sophomores Brielle Errico (forward), Katrina Morales (defender) and Sarah Shaffer (defender).

"The Vikings will continue to strive to be competitive within the difficult Red Division and the GMC despite only returning five varsity players from last year's county finalist team," Barrio said.

South Brunswick will open the season at 4 p.m. on Thursday when it hosts Woodbridge. South Brunswick will play at Piscataway on Saturday at 10 a.m.

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