The following was submitted by a team coach.
Columbia High School freshman girls’ soccer team last week put the finishing touches on an undefeated 2015 season, beating West Essex 4-1 in its final game.
Back row: Coach Rocio Lopez, Jasmine Quraishi, Derby Cineas, Shayna Cohen, Lindsay Camara, Maritxell Gallart-Bekkedahl and Zoe Broncel.
Front row: Lisa Holstein, Sami Miller, Ceci Munoz, Naomi McMurtry, Lauren Lake, Katherine Williams, Cailee Olitt, Ashley Heacock, Katie Newman Not pictured: Morgan Nash, Sophia Rachevich, Finnola Gray
The Cougars won handily with help from Ceci Munoz and Lia Holstein, who scored two goals each, despite West Essex getting out ahead with a goal early in the game. At that point, the CHS team started to move the ball more, gaining the possession until Munoz, who has had 24 goals on the season, took a shot and snagged the first score for CHS that afternoon.
CHS began its season in September by defeating rival Governor Livingston 3-2, coming from behind twice. The Cougars also beat Kearny 2-1 on another come-from-behind win. However, their biggest wins were against Summit at home (1-0) and away against Cranford (2-0).
The quality of this team is so great, said Coach Rocio “Ro” Lopez that some players have been moved up to the Varsity and the JV teams and the season record was 13 wins and two tie games.
Lopez also said it is unfortunate that there is no post-season level play for freshmen because this team was so strong this year – and she looks for the players to bring additional strength to the JV and Varsity teams in the future.
“This team can win it all in the future,” Lopez said. “This group of girls are not only a team, they are a family. In this team everybody steps up when needed. We always figure it out.”
