BLOOMFIELD, NJ – While getting ready for the start of this season, the players on the Bloomfield High School girls’ varsity soccer team developed a strong bond.
Indeed, it’s that type of chemistry, plus hard work on the field, that will help propel the Lady Bengals to a successful campaign.
“I am really happy to say we have a great group of girls that treat each more like family rather than a team. They have bonded really well over the last few weeks,” said BHS second-year head coach Jon Aliaga, whose team will open the season Sept. 7 at Verona at 4 p.m.
Looking to improve on last year’s 4-14-1 record, the Bengals this season want to step up their attack. “As we have improved over the last year or so, we will be focusing on (improving on) goal scoring and attacking,” Aliaga said. ”Last year we were able to stay in many games because we were defensively organized, but lacked the attacking prowess.”
Leading the way are senior captains Anatalia Pena and Grace Perrotta. Pena was a Second Team honoree on the All-Super Essex Conference-Liberty Division last year. Perrotta will serve as defensive midfielder.
Senior Mia Nalic is very talented as center midfielder and can move forward to attack, while junior Julia Nephew has really impressed the coaching staff, according to Aliaga. Nephew suffered a knee injury that kept her out of most of her sophomore year.
Brianna Triguerros-Pericone, Samara Kornegay and Lauren Synnott, all juniors, “have all matured into functional and versatile players,” Aliaga said.
Aliaga and his coaches also are excited about newcomers Emily Baca and Ally Reyes. The Bengals have a strong overall ninth grade class that shows promise for the future of the program, noted the head coach.
“We have attainable goals: end the season with a winning record, and make it far into the county and state tournaments,” added Aliaga. “But most importantly, the goal is to develop these young ladies into great leaders by providing them challenging competition to help them grow and develop their character.”
For the Bengals to achieve their goals, consistent hard work, as well as trusting the coaching staff and each other, will prove to be the key factors.
The Bengals will host West Orange on Sept. 12 at Brookdale Park at 4 p.m.
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