Six group championships are up for grabs this fall, and teams across the state are going to do whatever it takes to get into the conversation and make a run at a title in 2022.
Check out favorites and contenders in Girls Group 1 Soccer.
North 1, Group 1
FAVORITE: Glen Rock was known more for its defense a year ago, but the offense was solid and brings back a lot of experience this fall. The Panthers are going to be in a good position to win this section. Nicole Crane had 11 goals and 12 assists as a rookie and will look to add to those numbers in 2022 alongside Ryan Doyle, who led the team with 13 goals last season. Seniors Stella Traphagen and Fiona Reilly are also going to be tone-setters for this team as Glen Rock looks to break through and win a sectional championship
CONTENDERS: Emerson Boro lost a lot of production from last year’s squad, so this is going to be a test for the Bergen County squad. This team has talent coming back, but will need those key pieces to mature in a hurry for Emerson Boro to really contend here. Senior Bobbi Morton will be a veteran leader on offense and pace a group that will also count on Victoria Sterinsky, Mia Worthington and Malu Metz.
Hawthorne put together an unbelievable season a year ago, but lost the two best players from that team. That creates a void on offense that Sabrina DiFilippo and Sydney Hansen are looking to fill. Those playmakers will be veterans on this team now and it is their turn to take over the offense. Ava Iovino and Sophia Morel will be counted on in the midfield and junior Ella Sachs will be one of the key leaders on defense for the Passaic County squad.
Park Ridge lost its two offensive leaders from last season, but there is a lot of young talent that flashed a season ago. Francesca Burke, Amanda Cicero, Anna Francica, Allie Shenloogian and Erika Stewart are all back after putting up good seasons last fall. Park Ridge hopes those playmakers can take a step forward and make this team tough to beat again. Nicole Freiler and Juliana Barros are two more playmakers to watch this fall.
Waldwick was nearly unbeatable a year ago and despite losing a great senior class, it comes back with a solid foundation. Abby and Ava Incorvaia put up a combined 42 goals and 24 assists a season ago. That duo will be back and the Incorvaia sisters are ready to terrorize opposing defenses again. Senior Hanao Nakamoto will be one of the best defensive presences back in Group 1 and the Colgate commit will be an X-factor as this team looks to reload
North 2, Group 1
CONTENDERS:
Hasbrouck Heights dialed up the offense a year ago and had several players break through and have career years. Lexy Samperi is the best scoring threat back this season after putting up 20 goals and 17 assists a year ago. Sophia Lara did a good job controlling the pace of the game in the midfield and will play a key role again in 2022. Senior Jenna O’Malley has the ability to move around the field and will make a big impact no matter where she lands.
North Arlington brings back the most offensive firepower back in this section. Junior Lia Cruz scored 27 goals and sent out 17 assists, while Arancha Antunes had 18 goals and 23 assists. Add in Brenna Sullivan’s 10 goals and six assists and you can see the type of potential that this offense will have in 2022. The defense will need to step up a little for this team to make a deep playoff push, but the talent is there. Junior Daliana Rojas keeper is the anchor of that unit. Junior defender Sophia Veloso is a team captain and will lead the way as well
Secaucus was unbeatable in the first month a year ago and wants to come back with that same edge in 2022. The Patriots lost two of their best scorers, but Daniela Peschetti is coming back after scoring 18 times last fall. Junior Mykailla Harper is back in net and will lead a defense that is looking to be even more effective.
