Racioppi scores two goals in win

Walter J. O’Neill, Jr.
One of the most competitive divisions in the Shore Conference is the Class B North. Regardless of the sport, this division has some of the highest caliber teams. This year girls’ soccer is no exception with Red Bank Catholic ranked as the best team in the B-North and the entire Shore Conference.

Two other teams in the division are the Falcons of Monmouth Regional and the Spartans of Ocean Township. Both of these schools are in what some refer to as a rebuilding year.

Monmouth Regional, coached by second-year-coach Dustin Kroposky, has only one senior on the varsity roster. The Falcons have five juniors, seven sophomores and five freshmen. Ocean Township has Colon Sabia, who is in his fifth season as head coach. His roster is also loaded with underclassmen. The Spartans have three seniors, two juniors, five sophomores, and six freshmen.

Saturday morning the Spartans hosted the Falcons to open the 2011 season. Ocean had controlled most of the first-half action keeping the ball in front of the Falcons’ goal. During that opening half, Ocean scored two goals, both by Taylor Racioppi, a freshman midfielder, to give the Spartans a 2-0 lead. Getting assists on those two goals were Sarah Guss, a freshman, and senior Kate Culloo.

The second half of action had both teams scoring goals. For Ocean it was put into the net by Sarah Soltis, a junior midfielder, off an assist by Racioppi. Ocean took over 20 shots on the Falcons’ goal, which was protected by Brianna Wolf, a sophomore, who had 18 saves for Monmouth Regional.

When the Falcon offense worked the ball past half field, they had plenty of opportunities to get a goal. The only Monmouth Regional player to net a goal was Mackenzie Kapuscienski, a junior forward. Defending the Spartan goal was sophomore Makenzie.

For additional photos of this game please visit: www.oneillphotography.printroom.com