Defending National Champion Brookdale Off To A Fast Start In Women's Soccer

Photo: 2013 NJCAA DIII National Champions

LINCROFT – After winning the school’s first-ever NJCAA DIII National Championship in soccer a year ago, the 2014 Brookdale women’s soccer team has picked up right where last season’s team left off in their bid to repeat as national champions this season.

Ranked No.1 in the NJCAA DIII preseason polls, the Jersey Blues are currently 2-0 after two very impressive showings in those first two games, including a 6-1 win against Rowen College at Gloucester County – ranked No.2 in the preseason national DIII polls.

Brookdale is faced with the task of replacing eight starters from last season’s magical championship run including first-team All-American’s Chelsea James (Howell H.S.) in the midfield and Erin Kinneman (Matawan Reg.) in goal as well as second-team All-American’s Lauren Bowler (Red Bank Reg.) in the backfield and Alexa Masino (Howell H.S.) up front. All four, along with third-team All-Region XIX midfielder Keara Homan (Manasquan H.S.) and ace defender Devon Carney are now playing at Stockton College.

Homan scored her first goal of her Stockton career off a cross from James - her first career assist at Stockton - to help the Ospreys earn their first win of the season in Sunday’s 4-0 win vs. Marywood University.

“When you come off a season like the one we had you have such high expectations of yourself,” Brookdale head coach Katie Miller said. “This is a new team but with the same dream. We want to accomplish the same goals but we have a different dynamic of how we’re going to get there this year.”

The Jersey Blues do return seven players with starting experience including first-team All-Region XIX forward and 2013 NJCAA DIII Championship Tournament Most Valuable Player Caroline Duerr. Duerr is already leading Region XIX in scoring (15 pts.) and goals (7) and is second nationally in goals scored after her three goals and an assist led the Blues to a 4-1 opening day win vs. Burlington County College and then scoring four goals in Sunday’s 4-0 win.

“Caroline’s shot has improved immensely,” Miller said. “She has such energy and is probably the fastest player on the team. She’s stepped right into the leadership role as a returning sophomore and has basically been unstoppable so far this season.”

Center midfielder Brooke Tartis (Neptune H.S.) is a returning starter and will be counted on to provide added scoring punch after netting seven goals and assisting on 12 others last season; she has three assists in two games this season. Joining Tartis at center mid is returner Meghan Begley (Mater Dei Prep) who had six starts last season and has one goal so far this season.

Raquel Rodriguez (Red Bank Reg.) started three games as a freshman and this season will start at one outside halfback spot with incoming freshman Ashley Cafarella (Old Bridge H.S.) at the other outside spot. Rodriguez has a goal and an assists this season and Cafaella was named to the News Tribune All-Area third-team as a senior last year after scoring nine goals and assisting on four.

Up front will be Duerr (20 goals and 10 assists last season) and returning sophomore Nicole Rodriguez (Union H.S.) who had one start as a freshman last season, scoring two goals and adding an assist for the year. After two games, Rodriguez has assisted on three goals.

Championship game hero, Amanda Anastasia (Middletown South H.S), has been moved to the sweeper position this season by Miller after starting 10 games and scoring five goals last season at outside halfback. Her header off a corner kick from Homan with 5:22 remaining in the championship game with the score tied 3-3 was the difference maker as the Blues held on for title. She has an assist to her credit this season.

Freshman Meredith Parleman (Middletown North H.S.) is penciled in as the starting stopper in the backfield and Ali Maddox (Henry Hudson Regional) returns at one outside defender spot after starting all 18 games there last season scoring two goals. Freshman Alexandria Montefinese (Monmouth Regional) will start opposite Maddox. Montefinese also played basketball and softball while at Monmouth Regional and her all-around athleticism is obvious watching her play.

Replacing Kinneman in the net and with some big shoes to fill is freshman Marti Stewart (Marlboro H.S.). Stewart, who was a two-year starter for the Mustangs has looked good and has 13 saves with only two goals allowed this season.

Freshmen Victoria Odell (Red Bank Regional), Brianna Penix (Ocean Township H.S.), Kimberly D’Ermillio (Old Bridge H.S.) and Kelly Tompkins (Shore Regional) will all see considerable action as Miller attempts to keep her starters fresh.

“Our strategy will be the same this year,“ Miller said. “We’ll again be passing to feet, moving the ball around and maintaining possession; that’s our game. Through that possession comes our offense. We have enough sophomore experience to show the freshmen how it’s done and what we can accomplish when we do everything we’re supposed to do. And after our first two games they have really come together; I don’t think we’ve missed a beat.”

Miller, in her fourth year coaching the Blues was named 2013 NSCAA Regional Coach of the Year as well as being named top coach of the national tournament. She is joined by her faithful assistant coach Sara Shaughnessy, back for her second year.

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