Photos by Jerry Simon. Nutley (maroon uniforms) vs. Bloomfield, Oct. 26, at Foley Field, Bloomfield. Nutley won, 2-1.
NUTLEY, NJ – The Nutley High School varsity girls’ soccer team has enjoyed a highly competitive season.
The Lady Raiders, under the guidance of Mike DiPiano, posted a solid run in the Essex County Tournament. As the No. 9 seed in the 21-team field, Nutley defeated Cedar Grove and Millburn before losing a tough 1-0 decision to top-seeded and undefeated West Orange in the quarterfinal round.
Nutley started its ECT run with a 3-0 win over No. 16-seed Cedar Grove in the second preliminary round on Oct. 17 at Father Glotzbach Field. Samantha Gabriele scored twice and Maria Lopomo had the other goal. Camila Leon and Kristina Lopomo each had an assist and Jillian DeSantis made one save.
Gabriele also scored two goals in the 2-1 win over No. 8 seed Millburn in the first round on Oct. 19 in Millburn. Emily DeAngelo and Giulia Polewka each had an assist while DeSantis and Alessandra Santoriello each made three saves.
Nutley then fell to West Orange, 1-0, in the quarterfinal round on Oct. 21. DeSantis made nine saves for the Raiders. West Orange scored the lone goal of the game in the second half and improved to 12-0-3. Nutley lost to West Orange earlier this season, 3-0, on Sept. 26 in West Orange. It was the only time the Raiders lost a game by more than one goal this season.
Emily DeAnglo and Maisie Jelley each had a goal and Gabrielle assisted on both goals to lead Nutley to a 2-1 win over Bloomfield, Oct. 26, at Foley Field in Bloomfield. Nutley improved to an 8-9 record.
The Raiders were hoping to make a strong run in the NJSIAA North Jersey Section 2, Group 3 state tournament. Nutley, seeded ninth, was scheduled to visit eighth-seeded Middletown North on Oct. 30. The winner was to play the winner between No. 1 seed Somerville vs. No. 16 seed Red Bank Catholic in the quarterfinal round on Nov. 2.
Nutley also defeated Mount St. Dominic, Belleville, Columbia, Caldwell and Montclair Kimberley Academy this season.
Competing in the American Division of the Super Essex Conference – the top division in the conference – the Raiders have scored 21 goals and allowed 19 goals this season. Gabriele has led the way with seven goals, followed by DeAngelo with six goals and Maisie Jelley with five goals. Gabriele had five assists and Polewka had three assists this season, while Leon, Danielle Lohf and Kristina Lopomo each have two assists.
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