WEST ORANGE, NJ – The West Orange High School girls’ varsity soccer team is off to a solid start under second-year head coach Sean Devore.
The Mountaineers had a 3-3-2 overall record and a 2-2-1 mark in the Super Essex Conference-Liberty Division through Monday, Sept. 26.
“So far the girls have done very well and have put us in a great opportunity to compete for our league championship, which is our team goal this year,” said the coach, whose squad competed to a 1-1 draw with Newark Academy on Sept. 23. “We just played a great game and tied a very good Newark Academy team. They are in the (SEC-American) division and are having a great season, so getting a draw against them is a nice result. The team has done a fantastic job so far. We are currently qualifying for the state tournament and are competing against the best teams in Essex County.”
The coach said senior captain Anabella Schuler has played a key role for the team.
“Anabella Schuler, a senior captain, has been a scoring threat for us and has played very well, as well as Natalie Nevins, a freshman midfielder, who has done a nice job, as has sophomore midfielder Morgan Clark,” Devore said. “Defensively, sophomore back Nyah Harper has been a great ball winner and junior goalkeeper Samantha Herbert has three shutouts so far.”
Along with those players, Devore talked about a few others who have led the way.
“Sophomores Katie Charles, Nyah Harper, and Morgan Clark have all stepped into leadership roles this year after playing very important minutes as freshmen. Also, junior Reyna Rahaman has been fantastic as an outside back,” Devore said.
Highlighting the year, the WOHS coach said he was especially pleased with the team’s 2-0 opening win against Verona.
The Mountaineers dropped a tough 1-0 double-overtime loss to Columbia in a divisional game at home on Monday, Sept. 26.
Upcoming games
Sept. 28, Millburn, 4 p.m.
Oct. 1, Bayonne, 11 a.m.
Oct. 4, at Mount St. Dominic, 4 p.m.
Oct. 6, Orange, 4 p.m.
Oct. 10, at Caldwell, 4 p.m.
Oct. 13, at Memorial, 5 p.m.
Oct. 15, at North 13th St. Tech, 10 a.m.
Oct. 17, Pascack Hills, 7 p.m.
Oct. 20, at North 13th St. Tech, 4 p.m.