Games-Cape Tech Girls Soccer Overcomes Graduation

Marty Franco didn’t know what to make of his team when the 2011 high school soccer season dawned. His Cape May Tech girls’ soccer squad graduated 15 seniors last spring.
“It was a raw team and very young,” said Franco, a physical therapist when he’s not coaching or working the Cape May beaches as a veteran lifeguard. “We had a bunch of new kids and some of them had never touched a soccer ball. I figured it was a long-term project that we were embarking on.”
Franco, who coached in the Cape Express club program and at Cape Christian School, had spent three years as a Hawk assistant before taking over this season.
“We focused on tactics and having fun,” said the Cold Spring resident. “They worked very hard. We only had four seniors so I expected the situation to get worse not better.”
Cape Tech surrendered 77 goals in 2010 but saw that number decrease by 22 this season. Their seven wins were third best in the program’s 15-year CAL history.
“It’s hard to compete when you don’t have as many players coming into high school with a soccer background,” said Franco. “It really helps build a program when you get club players. Tech hasn’t had that but we did get three former club players this season.”
Franco said he and volunteer assistant and long-time local soccer guru Chris Monge “had great kids and great student-athletes.” He was especially proud of their accomplishments since some arrived with no experience or some recreation league background only.
“We did benefit from the intelligence of the squad,” said the coach. “They understood what we were trying to teach. We had to have new kids make an immediate impact.”
The Hawks faced a hurdle four games into the season when center mid-fielder Chelsea Marriner had to leave her goal-scoring prowess to take over between the pipes for an injured teammate. The senior from Court House, who also plays basketball, surprised Franco by immediately asking the coach if she should grab her goalie gloves.
“She was our best offensive player last year but she immediately volunteered to play goalie and had four shut outs,” said Franco. “She used her athleticism and quick hands. Chelsea has great foot skills and knows the game.”
Fellow senior Lily Mullock used her quick feet and four years of experience to become the most improved player on the team. “She’s a hard-nosed kid and she’s only about 5-2,” said Franco. “She’s one of our on-field leaders and she never stops going.”
Marriner and Mullock shared tri-captain duties with junior Jade Miller.
A foot injury cost her to miss her sophomore year after she pumped in 11 goals as a freshman. “Jade does it all from her sweeper position,” said Franco. “She led us this year with seven goals and she’s a very good defender with strong ball skills. She’s a possession type of player.”
Senior Alexis Cropper used her background in dance to help overcome a lack of soccer experience. “She’s a very good athlete and she never stopped running the entire game,” said Franco. “Alexis was inspirational to the entire team. If you had 11 like her you’d do very well.”
West Cape May’s Farrah Collins was an enforcer for the Hawks. “Farrah plays tough and runs through every ball,” said the coach. “She’s got the most heart of any of the kids. She’s like the Energizer Bunny ‘cause she never stops going.”
Miller and Collins each registered “golden goals” this season to win games. They also each picked up game-winners within regulation play.
Dennis Township’s Nikki Abad used her speed for success. “She’s very quick, a real burner,” said Franco. “She’ll be a player for us for the next couple of years.”
Freshmen Devon O’Neill and Holly Galato brought versatility as each registered goals from defensive positions. “We moved them up on occasion and it paid off for us,” said Franco. “They’re both tough defenders and they’re going to get better. They showed real flashes.”
The coach said senior Hannah Gray and junior Hannah Stone grew with experience during the season and each improved markedly. “Hannah was three years behind the other seniors in experience because she lacked playing time and but she surprised even herself this year,” said Franco. “Hannah Stone is a smart player and very coachable. She didn’t have club experience but she worked hard to improve.”
Franco called sophomore Jessica McAnulty “a bulldog” and credited her with “relentless play” from the outside fullback position. “She’s very close to being a shut-down defender,” he said. “She’s also a basketball player so she used athleticism to an advantage.”
Franco said he had “no expectations” this season but was pleasantly surprised that the girls came together so readily and was very pleased about how hard they worked.
“We wanted to make them better and have fun,” he said. “While we do have some gaps to fill, we had some players this year. I think we’re starting to build something.”
Reach Rossi at joerossi61@comcast.net