Caper Girls’ Soccer Wraps Up Best Season

The 2010 season was the very best in Lower Cape May girls’ soccer history.
Seventh year head coach Stephanie Matthews led the Caper-Tigers to an 11-7-2 record, including an eighth seed in South Jersey Group II. The team achieved a quarterfinal playoff victory by defeating ninth-seeded Manasquan, 2-1, for its historic first post-season triumph.
“We had expectations coming into the season because I felt this would be one of our better teams,” said Matthews, a mathematics teacher at the school. “We started with six seniors and lost one of them during the season.”
Matthews, who played soccer at Triton High School and Ursinus College, had three strong captains to help lead her squad. Senior sweeper Meaghan Mann, a four-year starter, served her second season as a captain. “She’s a smart, composed player with a lot of skill,” said Matthews.
Senior Danielle Hickman, a center-midfielder and striker, was another captain. “Danielle brought a lot of energy and showed her ability to put the ball into the back of the net,” said the coach.
Junior Holly Cusick rounded out the captain trio. A center-midfielder, Cusick was a player who “leads by example on the field,” according to Matthews. “She’s a workhorse out there,” added the coach.
The team’s scoring leader was senior striker Frankie Gibson. She broke the LCMR record with 52 career goals. “Frankie’s got the speed and a terrific shot,” said Matthews. “She can read defenders.”
Seniors Rylee Gould and Katie Damiana contributed from their outside-midfield positions. “They both were counted on to play the entire game,” said Matthews. “They worked extremely hard for us and improved their games tremendously.”
Junior goalie Gabrielle Adams was thrust into the position after the previous keeper decided to leave the team. “Gabrielle transferred over from Wildwood Catholic and she really stepped up for us as the goalie,” said Matthews. “She was a voice on the field.”
Another key contributor to Lower’s success was freshman Gabriella McKeown, a striker and center-midfielder. “She’s an all-around player who loves the games and gives her all,” said the coach. “She was a little beat up as a freshman playing varsity but she came out of it OK.” McKeown trailed only Gibson in goals scored.
Victoria Mann was known for her passing. Matthews noted that the sophomore “can always find someone’s foot” with her assists. The younger Mann sister was a striker and center-midfielder.
The athletic Marissa McCorkel handled the stopper position. “She’s very intelligent and anticipates plays,” said Matthews. “Her athleticism really helps.”
Sophomore Nicole Sangillo packed a lot of speed into her size. “She’s one of our smaller girls but she’s got blazing speed,” said the coach.
Outstanding junior defender Cara Aguado was lost with an ACL injury halfway through the campaign.
Sophomore Shelby Brown contributed as a role player for the squad.
Matthews, who was assisted by Caper alum and long ago three-sport letter-winner Mike Hickman, applies her teaching
principles on the pitch.
“I take a lot of my coaching from my teaching,” she said. “Consistency prevails. The kids all know the consequences when rules are not followed. You have to hold the line.”
Reach Rossi at joerossi61@comcast.netLower Cape May Regional Tigers