JFK girls soccer reaches state tournament
BY SHAWN LAYTON Staff Writer
For the first time in five years, the John F. Kennedy High School girls soccer team is headed to the state tournament. The Mustangs finished off an impressive week with a scoreless tie against crosstown rival Woodbridge, another feat last accomplished five years ago, improving to 8-6-3 and locking up a spot in this year's North Jersey Group II Tournament.

Kennedy opened the week with a crucial 1-0 victory over Carteret. The two teams played to what appeared to be a certain overtime period before Kennedy's Melanie Santos netted the game-winner with 90 seconds left in regulation.

"We had a lot of opportunities in the game to get on the scoreboard," Kennedy head coach Joe Migacz said. "We hit both posts and the cross-bar at different times and outshot them 29-4. They packed in their defense and it looked like they would hold us scoreless until Melanie got one past the keeper."

The following day, the story for Kennedy was its three freshman starters in the team's 3-0 win over South Plainfield. Santos put the Mustangs on top early with a goal and was followed by fellow freshman Lindsey Frost's score.

"We dominated the entire game, but a two-goal lead is always tough because you still don't have much breathing room," Migacz said. "We were really pressing for that third goal when Christine McNair connected. It's a very good sign for the program to have three freshmen score in a game."

Kennedy stayed unbeaten for the week in a highly anticipated meeting with rival Woodbridge. Woodbridge applied ample pressure, but Kennedy goalkeeper Jessica Tymitz had an answer for every Woodbridge assault. Tymitz preserved the tie with a dozen saves in the contest.

"This was a big step for us," Migacz said. "My first year coaching the team we lost to Woodbridge 8-0 and last year we lost 1-0. We've come a long way in three years, and I think this year's tie is a testament to the hard work of the team. We had some great chances to get a goal, and we executed our game plan to perfection, but we just couldn't break through for the score."

Before competing for the North Jersey Group II title, Kennedy will play an important tune-up match against red-hot Bishop Ahr. Bishop Ahr recently advanced to play in this week's Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament semifinals. The two teams are set to square off tonight at 7 p.m. at Bishop Ahr.

"Bishop Ahr has been on fire lately, and we'll have to nullify their attack and speed up top," Migacz said. "I think we're solid everywhere else, and we're looking forward to playing the spoiler on their senior night. It's a big game, and we'd love to go into the state tournament after a big win."

Regardless of tonight's outcome, the Mustangs will be ready for whomever the NJSIAA decides to throw at them in the opening round of the state tournament.

"No player on this team has ever competed in a state game, and everybody is up for the task," Migacz said. "The girls on this team really wanted to separate themselves from previous Kennedy teams, and they accomplished this by reaching the states. Everyone is looking forward to that first-round game."