With a large portion of their respective starters back in the fold this spring, the Fenwick and Riverside-Brookfield girls soccer teams both entered this season brimming with optimism.
For at least one game, that’s where the jovial similarity between the two clubs parted ways as the visiting Friars cruised to a 6-0 win over RB on Friday night.
Although Fenwick claims nine returning starters from last year’s squad, newcomer Carly Smith stole the Friars’ balanced scoring show with three goals. After playing club soccer for Eclipse, the Marquette-bound Smith is clearly a huge addition for Fenwick, which already features a pair of all-conference midfielders in Ellie Galvin and Colleen Hussey, as well as the athletic Serafina Nuzzo.
“Carly is the nicest striker off the field that I have ever met,” Fenwick coach Chris Richter said. “She has an unreal ability to turn on her focus for 90 minutes. I think everybody knows she’s an incredible player, but she’s making everyone around her better which is an even bigger compliment.”
Senior Rachel Canfora, a key returnee in a new position – she switched from forward to goalkeeper – posted her first career shutout.
“Rachel will do well this year,” Richter said. “She just needs more time in front of a net to gain extra comfort.”
Fenwick (1-0) scored 39 seconds into regulation and never looked back. Claire Madden (goal, assist), Morgan Gallagher (goal), Colleen Hussey (goal) and Nuzzo (2 assists) also fueled the Friars’ attack.
“We jumped on them early and put the game away with a four-goal, 10-minute surge,” Richter said. “Our finishing was a little rusty and we had eight corners that netted zero goals. It was a good result, but we have a few critical things to work on.”
Fenwick defenders Mary Kate Hussey, Megan Frank, Stephanie Jaslowski, Sara Payne and sophomore sweeper Mia Patrevito kept RB at bay.
The host Bulldogs (1-1), who look to forwards Yuritzi Chavez and Vanessa Cerrillo for offensive punch, generated few scoring opportunities against Fenwick. Last year, the duo combined to score 15 goals during the season for the Bulldogs.
“We literally had a few chances, but that was about it,” Riverside-Brookfield coach Marisa Dobbertin said. “Fenwick was the better team. For us, it’s important to play a team like Fenwick because they exposed our weaknesses. We know what we need to work on. The girls gave 110 percent.”
Despite the loss, the Bulldogs return eight key players in hopes of capturing another Metro Suburban Conference title. Last year, RB won its first conference championship in the program’s seventh year. Fenwick knocked off RB in the regional semifinals.
The Bulldogs opened their 2009 campaign in fine fashion last week with a 1-0 victory over Richards. Senior midfielder Cathy Kaczmarczyk scored the lone goal for RB.
“The [Richards] game was the opposite of Fenwick,” Dobbertin said. “We were the better team and we had close to 20 more shots on goal than Richards. It was a good start to the season. The girls’ attitude and work ethic have been phenomenal.”