Columbia HS girls’ soccer team kicks up terrific season

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Several players garner All-SEC-Liberty Division accolades as squad achieves its goals for the year

The Columbia High School varsity girls’ soccer team enjoyed a 9-7-3 season that included winning the Super Essex Conference-Liberty Division title and reaching the quarterfinals of both the Essex County and state section tournament. Front row from left: Lia Holstein, Charli Holstein, Grace Bratter, Michelle Aguero, Hannah Williams, Ellie Betheil, Meredith Meyer, Ceci Muñoz, Sophia Ratkevich, and Naomi Joseph. Rear row from left: Head Coach Ashley Corino, Lauren Lake, Olivia Smith, Ava Krasner, Isadora Egypt, Grace Hut, Caroline Cerny, Gracie Jo Benn, Liana Runcie, Morgan Nash, Manager Zoe Broncel, and Assistant Coach Meghin Meade.
The Columbia High School varsity girls’ soccer team enjoyed a 9-7-3 season that included winning the Super Essex Conference-Liberty Division title and reaching the quarterfinals of both the Essex County and state section tournament. Front row from left: Lia Holstein, Charli Holstein, Grace Bratter, Michelle Aguero, Hannah Williams, Ellie Betheil, Meredith Meyer, Ceci Muñoz, Sophia Ratkevich, and Naomi Joseph. Rear row from left: Head Coach Ashley Corino, Lauren Lake, Olivia Smith, Ava Krasner, Isadora Egypt, Grace Hut, Caroline Cerny, Gracie Jo Benn, Liana Runcie, Morgan Nash, Manager Zoe Broncel, and Assistant Coach Meghin Meade.

MAPLEWOOD, NJ – The Columbia High School varsity girls’ soccer team, which won the Super Essex Conference-Liberty Division championship under the guidance of head coach Ashley Corino this season, featured several players on the All-SEC-Liberty Division.

They include:

FIRST TEAM

  • Sophomore Naomi Joseph. She had three goals and one assist as a key defender.
  • Junior Hannah Williams. She posted 161 saves for the year and only let up 21 goals in 18 games, four of which were in the state North Jersey Section 2, Group 4 tournament quarterfinal against second-seeded Watchung Hills.
  • Senior Olivia Smith. She served as a key defender.

SECOND TEAM

  • Sophomore Meredith Meyer. A key center midfielder, she had one assist.
  • Junior Michelle Aguero. Also a key center midfielder, she had one goal and one assist.

HONORABLE MENTION

  • Sophomore Ceci Munoz. She had three goals and one assist as a forward.
  • Senior Charli Holstein. She had one goal and one assist while playing forward, midfield or defense.

Highlights of the season:

The Lady Cougars finished with an impressive 9-7-3 overall record, including going undefeated in the division at 4-0-1.

CHS also made the quarterfinals as the No. 4 seed in the Essex County Tournament, losing in penalty kicks to Mount Saint Dominic Academy.

The Cougars won their first round game of the state North Jersey Section 2, Group 4 tournament with a 2-0 victory over East Side to advance to the quarterfinals.

“This was a very impressive season for Columbia girls’ soccer,” stated Corino. “We were able to reach all goals we set for this year: winning the Liberty Division and making it to the quarterfinals in both the county and state tournaments.

“We also fought hard to win or tie big games during our season,” Corino added. “We had a great defensive year, only letting in 24 goals for the 18-game season. “This is a result of our great defensive talent by all players on the team.”

The Cougars are looking forward to next season with 14 returning varsity players.

“We will be looking forward to new challenges and working hard toward another successful season,” Corino said. “One new challenge we will be faced with is being moved up to the American Division, which is the top division in the conference.

“We are currently ranked fourth for next season, and the level of competition will be much stronger than what we have faced the past couple of years. I am confident that with the hard work of our returning players, we will continue to field a very competitive team and challenge for the conference title.”   

  

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