The 2024 FTHS Girls Soccer team, led by coach Dave Patterson, notched their third consecutive Shore Conference Tournament title during the 2024-25 athletic season, their third in the last four years. Following a rocky 0-4 start, a red-hot second half fueled the fire for the team to make a big run. Improved teamwork was well worth it in the end, as all-time leading scorer Gaby Parker and crew led the team to the promised land.
The Patriots’ tournament run began with a game in Matawan on October 15. As a road team, they blew out Katie Popowych’s Huskies in a dominant 9-0 victory. Parker scored four goals in the game. Seniors Sophie Tonino, Danielle Howard, Courtney Speck, Chloe Walters, and junior Reese Metcalfe each recorded one goal. Assists were recorded by Tonino, Howard, junior Christina Celano (Two each), Speck, senior Kayla Sciortino, and freshman Keeley Cook (One each). The Patriots kept senior goalie Ashley Moore bored in goal during the shutout, as she recorded just 1 save.
Two days later, the girls took a trip to Toms River South to play the Indians, led by coach Kasey Woram. Tonino, a Providence commit, scored a goal, and so did Howard. Moore recorded 7 saves in the net. Assists came from senior Albana Gjonbalaj and junior Gianna Neron. Indians freshman Daniella Gordon scored a goal with an assist from senior Keira Mulvihill in the second half, as the Patriots held them off 2-1. Indians senior goalie Hannah Puglisi recorded 10 saves.
The Patriots’ sole SCT home game saw them host the Middletown South Eagles on October 21. Bucknell commits Parker and Howard had a good day, as Parker scored two goals and Howard recorded an assist. Senior Ava Marino also recorded an assist. Moore made 5 saves as the Patriots shut out Midd South 2-0. The Eagles, led by coach Megan Barry, recorded 10 saves in goal with freshman goalie Julianna Fiore.
The highly-anticipated trip to Neptune for the girls had them facing coach Jack Mahar and his Lacey Lions in the semis on October 23. Despite Lacey’s undefeated 5-0 Shore Conference record, they were no match for the Patriots. The Patriots went on to win 2-1, as Gjonbalaj and Tonino each recorded goals. Tonino and Speck also recorded an assist. Moore had 7 saves in goal, tying her most in the SCT up to that point. Lions senior Natalie McGovern scored a goal in the second half, as junior goalie Ava Schmidt was shot on constantly, recording 18 saves.
The moment the Pats had been waiting for came for them on October 26, facing off against Point Pleasant Boro in the finals on a clear Saturday afternoon. The Panthers were led by head coach Mike Edolo and also had an undefeated Shore Conference season. The defense came up big for the blue and white, as Rider commit Moore recorded 6 saves in a 1-0 shutout. Parker scored the goal that would lead the team to another championship in the first half. Sciortino was credited with the assist. Panthers senior goalie Ava Bjorndahl recorded 3 saves in goal.
While the girls lost in the first round of NJSIAAs to Princeton, their goals are to win consecutive SCT title number four as well as advance further in the states. With all of the seniors graduating, the team will be working hard during the offseason to reach familiar heights once again. Let’s go Patriots, and keep staying classy if we want to win another title!
