North Jersey Interscholastic Conference
COLONIAL DIVISION
Eastern Christian should remain a winner despite graduating key players. The Eagles return veteran seniors in Ds Hanna Faber and Courtney Remy, M/F Greta Botbyl, Ms Victoria Holmes and Cassidy Martin and G Chloe DiPalma. Junior D/M Madison Wynbeek and junior M Christina Tartini also are back.
Elmwood Park has enough experience and talent to ascend to the division’s middle tier under new coach Bryan Press. More than a dozen veterans return for the Crusaders, including senior M/F Belen Gamarra, junior M/F Sandra Flores, senior D Sierra Gonzalez and junior D/M Stephany Guzman.
Garfield made strides last season with six victories and can maintain that level. The Boilermakers are led by senior M Luciana Rivera. She will be joined by several returnees, including senior Ms Natalia Kisiel and Anahisel Garcia, and senior D Agata Drapala.
Glen Rock is favored to repeat as Colonial champion even though it experienced key graduation losses. The Panthers have one of the NJIC’s best in senior M Olivia Traphagen. They also return senior M Camille Juliana, senior G Caitlin Rundle and junior F Tess Rooney.
Hawthorne will vie for the Colonial title after finishing second last season. Senior M/D Kayla Miller spearheads a lineup whose strength is versatility. Senior M Nicole Bertollo and junior M/F Heather Bertollo will lead the Bears’ attack. Senior D/Ms Julia Aguero is a three-year starter. The team must develop a keeper.
Lodi can remain in the division’s middle tier despite sizable graduation losses. The Rams have seven returnees: seniors Yasmin Elfeky, Michelle Wilson and Shajida Tillet, juniors Andrea Vasquez, Daysia Bubenik and Hardeep Kaur, and sophomore Juliana Motta.
Manchester will be much improved and can register multiple victories. Ten Falcons return and the defense is a strength. Senior Noelia Calderon is back in net, and in front of her will be several juniors. Senior Diane Tozser anchors the midfield, along with junior Shirley Montes.
Pompton Lakes can rise to the division’s top tier and impact the title chase. The Cardinals have more than 10 returnees and are led by All-Passaic County senior F Nicolette MacDonald, who has produced back-to-back 26-goal seasons. Also back: senior D Kayla Stygar, junior M Elisa Zuta and sophomore G Maggie Horn.
Rutherford should remain above .500 and improve on last season’s fifth place in the division. The Bulldogs return a majority of their roster. The offense is solid and includes junior F Rachel Wronko and sophomore F Gabby Centurion, as well as sophomore M Izzy Andler and senior M Catie Carton.
MEADOWLANDS DIVISION
Becton/Wallington is favored to repeat as Meadowlands champ. The Wildcats return all but one starter. Among the key veterans: senior Ms Ada Choinski and Alexa Fischetto and sophomore D/F Carlie Koziol. Also back are senior G Cindy Carr, senior M Samantha Dabal, senior F Krystal Castillo and senior D Karolina Ozga.
Hasbrouck Heights can contend for the division crown after placing fourth last season in a tight race. The Aviators are solid in all areas of the field. Junior F Kelly Innis leads the attack. Senior Alyssa Volpe and junior Serena Torres are in the midfield. Senior Emma Nichols is back in goal, protected by senior D Maddy Kalmowitz.
North Arlington could make a run at the Meadowlands crown after finishing fifth last season. The Vikings return eight starters and almost all of their scoring. Among the returnees: senior D Carlie Mullins, junior F/M Savannah Smith, senior M/K Kaitlyn Stajek and junior M Sam DiPopolo.
Paterson Charter looks to overcome its youth and can register multiple victories. The Lions have 11 returnees, including three seniors: M/Fs Katherine Arabarca and Liana Lopez and F Natasha Diaz. Junior Kristy Almonte is in net, junior Jeidy Reyes is at sweeper and junior Kudret Ozukou is the stopper.
Saddle Brook should remain above .500 despite only one senior on the roster. Sophomore F Ashley Georgevich and junior M/F Alexis Adams-Duffy will lead the attack after last season combining for more than 40 goals. Returning in net is sophomore Alexis Georgevich, Ashley’s twin sister.
Wood-Ridge has nine sophomores and eight freshman and will rebuild under new coach Jerry Cala. The Blue Devils will rely heavily on three senior veterans: Ds Carly Cook and Melanie Izurieta and M Amy Camacho. G Angela Picheo is among the 10th graders who will contribute.
LIBERTY DIVISION
Leonia-Palisades Park celebrated a winning record last season and looks to continue its upward climb. The Lions return 12 letter winners. The lineup should be solid at midfield with senior Laura Ford and junior Molly Lawrence. Also back are junior M Lana Hamadeh and senior D Gabriella Cintron.
Lyndhurst can vie for the Liberty title after sharing it last season with New Milford. The Golden Bears return a solid 1-2 scoring punch in junior Giulia Pezzolla and Mia Luna. They also return seniors Grace Cappiello and Alyssa Robalino and junior Izzy Castagnetti. Freshman must help replace 12 graduates.
New Milford is the Liberty favorite and can also make noise in North 1, Group 1. The Knights have 11 returnees, including seven starters. The defense should again be a strength, led by senior G Kaitlyn Carberry and senior D Kayla Ricciardelli. Sophomores Ally Whittaker and Kara Hill return to the midfield.
Ridgefield will improve on last year’s four wins thanks to the return of several veterans. The Royals only have two senior starters, M Natalie Garcia and D Alyssa Ferdinand. They return their leading scorer, junior F Marilyn Grandov, and sophomore sweeper Donna Higueros.
PATRIOT DIVISION
Cresskill could climb above .500 and finish in the top half of the division under new coach John Rafti. The Cougars will be led by five experienced seniors: D/M Cary Wells, G Julia Maltby, F Lia Choi, M Anne Karach, and D Jillian Fahey, who missed last season due to an ACL injury.
Emerson will try to maintain its winning ways following a school-best 16-5 record. The Cavos must overcome the graduation of eight seniors. The top returnees are senior Taylor Porcello and Haley Piccinich. Juniors Kaitlin Morgan and Alyssa Mattera will play bigger roles.
Hawthorne Christian continues to build and could ascend to the division’s middle tier. The Defenders are young, but they have some depth to help offset graduation losses. More than a dozen return, including sophomore M Gianna D’Amato, senior Ms Olivia White and Sophia Alvarez, and junior M Haley Escobar.
Midland Park will remain above .500 under new coach Scott Ernest. The Panthers’ success could rest on adapting to a new system under a veteran coach. The lone senior is M/F Catherine Fezza. Among the other key returnees are junior M/Fs Emma Lein and Kendra Cirino and sophomore F Victoria Vado.
Park Ridge is favored to repeat as Liberty champ. Senior M Claire Perez, sophomore M Claudia Segovia and sophomore F Dana DiBella will provide scoring for the reigning North 1, Group 1 titlist. The midfield is a strength and includes senior Megan Gasnick. Seniors Kristina Anzilotti and Tara Fahy work the Owls’ back line.
Saddle River Day, with new coach PJ Petrow, should improve on last year’s three victories. The Rebels have some experience with 10 returnees. The team features four seniors who provide talent and leadership: Carolyn Carrera, Tania Jaramillo, Michaela McMahon and Alexa Tsahalis.
Waldwick will make a run at the division title after tying for third last season. The Warriors return 14 letter winners, including the entire defense. Among the veterans: senior D Lauren Toolen and senior Ms Haley Larsen and Sydney Meller. The team needs to replace its goalie.
Others:
Mary Help must rebuild following a promising season that included a handful of victories. The Blue Jays’ cast of returnees includes sophomore F Emily Toresi and four seniors: Ms Allyson Swartzberg and Sophia Schneider and Ds Maressa Park and Lauren Roberson.
