Montgomery's girls soccer team is coming off a sweep of all the important titles in New Jersey. There's enough firepower coming back to expect another legitimate shot.
Photo by Ken Inness
Whether or not the
Montgomery (Skillman, N.J.) girls soccer team is headed to another NJSIAA title this fall, one thing is certain - the Cougars will have their hands full in each and every game, no matter what.
Such is life in the Skyland Conference.
Montgomery (23-1-2 in 2012) was the NJSIAA Group 4 champion a year ago, the No. 14 team in the nation in the NSCAA poll, and is one of 10 fall girls teams to be honored as a national title Early Contender, presented by adidas and Dick's Sporting Goods.
Colby Ciarrocca
Photo by Ken Inness
If a roster loaded with returning talent doesn't ensure repeat success, the opposition in the Skyland - and the level they're forced to play at - will at least ensure compelling soccer.
"The Skyland Conference is absolutely remarkable. There's nothing like our conference in the state," said Montgomery coach
Jeremy Beardsley, whose team beat conference rival Ridge in the 2012 NJSIAA final.
See all the 2013 Fall Soccer Early Contenders"At any given ranking on NJ.com, you would find four or five teams in the Top 20 (in the state). Ridge, Pingry, Bridgewater, Hunterdon Central and Watching Hills are all perennial powers. Even teams that are on the bottom half of the conference like North Hunterdon, Hillsborough and Franklin are very, very good teams."
The Skyland produced two state champions last season as Pingry won the NJSIAA Non-Public A crown. This has become the norm in New Jersey girls soccer, the way of life. Beardsley doesn't expect anything less this fall.
"The coaches of the Skyland Conference are true professionals. They know their soccer, and year-in and year-out prepare their teams incredibly well," Beardsley said.
"I think this is another reason why the conference is so good. We all know that everyone is preparing and that everyone is talented. It forces our preparation to be top-notch and our player development to be continuous. We know that you must bring your best effort every game and that brings out the best in our players. It is a real tribute to the coaches and players of the Skyland Conference."
See the entire Montgomery photo galleryLocal outlook: "With the loss of four players taking their talents to the Division I level, Montgomery returns eight seniors, including State Player of the Year Colby Ciarrocca. With Colby back on the front line, her experience and leadership will do wonders for a Montgomery team that most would agree would have a hard time matching last season's success. Her leadership and skill set alone will have Montgomery placed at a high level in a tough Skyland Conference."
- Lou Monaco, Dorf Feature Service (@loumonaco)
