This was what is known as taking a leap.
In Emily Palombo’s first three seasons as head coach of the Lawrence High School girls’ soccer team, the Cardinals won 12 total games. In this, her fourth year, LHS matched that total by going 12-7-1.
It was the Cards’ most victories in at least a decade and probably longer (Palombo was still searching records). The question is, was this a one-year wonder, or has the program turned the corner?
“We lose six seniors, but they set the tone for the program,” Palombo said. “We have a lot of juniors that don’t want to turn back. We are going to miss our seniors, but we are excited for next year.”
One of those seniors is Kelsey Holt, who shared the team lead of eight goals with freshman Kelli Collins, and who was tied for second in assists with four. Holt feels she is leaving a team that’s in good shape for the future.
“The program has definitely turned the corner in many ways,” she said. “There was never a day that we thought we could not do something. The motivation this year was clearly why we ended the season with 12 wins. A winning attitude has definitely been established, and that is what gave us the confidence to win games this year.”
Entering the season, Holt said the expectations were not about numbers, but performance. She wanted the Cardinals to work hard at all times and never give up, despite the score.
“When were got out on the field for game time, we needed to play with heart, together as a team for a full 80 minutes,” Holt said.
Coming off a 4-13-1 campaign, Lawrence was pretty much an afterthought in the preseason predictions. Nothing changed among outside observers after a season-opening 2-0 loss to Hightstown. On the inside, however, something clicked.
“The girls came off the field and knew that they should have had that game, which is very different than the past,” Palombo said. “We set goals for the rest of the year after Hightstown and never looked back.”
The Cards followed with non-conference wins over Delaware Valley (6-1) and Metuchen (5-0), which sparked a five-game winning streak.
“I really think the Metuchen game was a major turning point for them in terms of confidence,” Palombo said. “They scored three goals in six minutes against a solid team. Their confidence grew with every game.”
Holt agreed with her coach.
“The first game against Hightstown and then the game we played against Metuchen is when I noticed that we could be a pretty good team,” she said.
Holt went on to note that a positive attitude, solid work ethic and a chemistry borne of love for one another keyed the campaign.
Highlights included wins over perennial powerhouse teams like Allentown and Robbinsville (which won Central Jersey Group II) and getting home games in the Mercer County and Central Jersey Group III tournaments for the first time in years. Unfortunately, they resulted in 1-0 losses to Allentown and Ocean Township.
“Ocean was a good team that was a better team than their record and they were tough competition,” Holt said. “I think personally we did not play our best game, but we never gave up. We let one mishap happen that led to their goal, but after that, we fought until the very last minute of that game.”
Holt was a team captain along with classmates Lauryn Jodoin and Nelle Evans. Other seniors were Lisa Smith, Brea Zellner and Brynna Zellner. Jodoin had a goal and three assists, Evans had two assists and Smith had three goals and an assist, but it was the leadership that measured their true value.
“This senior group is extremely special to me because they are the first group of freshmen that I had as a coach,” Palombo said. “I have watched them develop over the four years, and they never doubted themselves. They stayed positive for four years and they were rewarded for this mentality.
“They paved the way for the rest of the program and they are a major reason for the success this season. They were tired of losing, and they went out and just played. They pushed the girls in practice, and they told the girls to believe in themselves and to never give up.”
Holt credited last year’s experience of being a captain as preparing her for an even bigger leadership role this year. She credited Jodoin and Evans with helping her keep the team positive and remain motivated.
According to Palombo, they helped change the mindset from “Can we do it?” to “We will do it.”
“The girls brought a ‘no, maybe’ attitude to every game,” the coach noted. “I think we developed a strong chemistry with each other that translated onto the field. In addition, most of the girls had experience at the varsity level. They knew that if they had the right attitude and mentality that they could play with the CVC teams.”
Collins was obviously a strong addition, while offensive contributions also came from Evelin Dapprich (4 goals, 3 assists), Sarah Berardi (4 goals, 2 assists), Emily Mihov (3 goals, 4 assists), Victoria Wierzbowicz (2 goals, 5 assists) and Morgan Franc (2 goals). Goalie Sara Hatfield “was unbelievable,” Palombo said.
“It was great to have a balanced season in terms of scoring,” the coach said. “Many teams targeted Kelsey for her speed, but they weren’t expecting Kelli Collins to have the same speed. Sarah Berardi brings a certain toughness to the field that is very different compared to Kelli and Kelsey; so our forward line was dynamic. Our midfielders were able to find the back of the net more this season which helps take pressure off everyone.”
Palombo will always have a special bond with this particular group, as it is the first one that she has coached every player throughout their high school career.
“They are my girls,” she said. “They also love each other. Their chemistry was important to our success. They played hard for each other and never gave up. They had fun and enjoyed being out there. A lot of the girls have played with each other for a very long time, and I think they just came together this year.”
Holt will vouch for that, saying love was in the air throughout the team. She hopes it stays there.
“I wish the best for my teammates next year and hope they continue everything that we have done this year,” she said. “Also, if it was not for a great coach like Palombo, we would not have had the season we did this year.”
A season not seen at Lawrence in a long time.
Lawrence girls’ soccer player Kelli Collins lines up a shot during a 1-0 home loss to Ocean Township on Nov. 1, 2016. (Staff photo by Samantha Sciarrotta.),
