DEPTH PROVIDES STABILITY FOR RAMSEY GIRLS SOCCER

Ramsey's girls soccer team is locked into one of the most unpredictable conference races in the state. "The league is funny," new coach Kevin Sabella pointed out about the Big North Patriot Division recently. "Three teams have new coaches - Ramsey, Mahwah and River Dell. All five teams have lost many of their best players. They're all trying to find their own identity. It's pretty wacky." Matters seem to be stabilizing for the Rams. "Having zero losses after six games is pretty good," Sabella said after a 3-0-3 start. "And we had plenty of chances in those ties." The wins have come against Mahwah, Pascack Hills and Fort Lee. Sabella had previously served as assistant coach to longtime head man George Wright, who gave him a strong endorsement when the team changed hands. The team went 14-5-1 last year, but the new roster is missing a host of graduates led by All-North Jersey honoree Maddie Barrow and five other standouts who received all-division notice (first- or second-team or honorable mention): Dana Webb, Meredith Edwards, Jaclyn Johnston, Erica Lis and Kayla Whelan. "We took a different approach and put in a hard-working summer," the coach said, indicating that Wright was a tough act to follow. "Nothing crazy, just hard work. George set the bar high and we're trying to keep it high or even pass it." Apparently the Rams had a good enough team returning as The Record listed them at No. 11 in its Preseason Top 25 rankings, and they stood way up at No. 3 in the revised rankings that were published the day before this interview. They rose in stature because two of the teams they defeated were ranked in preseason, No. 3 Mahwah and No. 22. Pascack Hills. The team returned a pair of second-team All-Patriot players with senior Claire D'Elia in the back and senior Corinne Kropas in the midfield. "Claire is our defensive leader. Corinne is strong in the midfield," Sabella noted. The defense has proven to be a major strength with junior Katie Sylvester the goaltender and a solid cast in front of her consisting of seniors Roxanna Boff, Cassie Phillips and D'Elia, junior Marisa McEntee and sophomore Olivia Molinari. The latter two are first-year starters. "Katie's let up less than a goal a game and they've all been fabulous," the coach said of his defensive unit. "Cassie saw some time last year and she helps anchor the defense." Kropas and Phillips key the midfield with outside players Lauren Chamberlin and Julia Bressi, both seniors. "They've all done a nice job. Lauren is a fabulous athlete; all-county in track," Sabella said, noting also that one of the top forwards, sophomore Olivia Sebastian also is outstanding athletically. "Olivia was second-team all-county in softball." Chamberlin, D'Elia, Kropas and Phillips provide ample leadership as team captains. Up front, it's junior Alexa Correa and Sebastian leading the attack. It is a fine lineup, but there is further reason for the unbeaten start. "We have depth," Sabella emphasized, listing senior Caryn Sims, juniors Jenni Muller and Melanie Mack and sophomores Maya Bender and Caroline Schwanewede as key personnel he can rotate in with confidence. "In past years there wasn't much depth on the bench," he continued. "[Better yet,] there is no drop-off, no matter who we put in."

DEPTH PROVIDES STABILITY FOR RAMSEY GIRLS SOCCER

Photo Credit: Ramsey Athletics

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