Lenape, Moorestown in soccer showdown

The Lenape girls' soccer team has played one of the most difficult schedules in South Jersey, having won nine games against teams in today's Inquirer South Jersey top 10.

The top-ranked Indians (18-0) face yet another challenge when they meet second-ranked Moorestown in Sunday's 2 p.m. South Jersey Soccer Coaches Association championship at Eastern.

Moorestown (13-2) has avenged both of its losses this season, to Cinnaminson and Gloucester Catholic. Since those defeats, the Quakers have beaten Cinnaminson twice and Gloucester Catholic, 4-3, in Sunday's Coaches Tournament semifinal.

Both teams have prospered with balanced scoring, and neither coach Kevin Meder of Lenape nor Moorestown's Bill Mulvihill allows his players to pad their statistics against lesser opponents.

It's telling that the leading scorer among the two teams has just 10 goals. That is Lenape freshman Kate Rigby.

Lenape is led by senior Natalia Torosian, a University of Florida recruit who has nine goals and 12 assists.

Nobody in South Jersey draws a bigger crowd than Torosian, who is more than content to draw defenders and open things up for her teammates. She is dangerous as a distributor and a scorer.

Midfielder Katie Duffy has contributed seven goals, while junior Carolyn Wiley, who keys the defense from her stopper position, has scored six.

Moorestown is led in scoring by junior Jess Sarkisian, who has nine goals and six assists. She had two goals in the semifinal win over Gloucester Catholic.

"She is really starting to come on," Mulvihill said.

The Quakers are without Samantha Davis, one of the top players in South Jersey, who is sidelined with a head injury. Her twin sister, Alex, helps lead a strong defense.

After Sarkisian, the scoring is spread out, with six players having scored four or five goals, led by Kathleen Wolff, who has five goals and one assist.

Another player to watch is stopper Claire MacDougal, who had two goals in the semifinal win over Gloucester Catholic. Like Lenape's Wiley, MacDougal is a stopper who can create from the back and gives the attack another dangerous dimension.

To reach the final, Lenape beat Gateway, 4-1; Seneca, 1-0; and Cherokee, 2-0. Wiley scored the lone goal against Seneca and, along with Rigby, scored in the semifinal win over Cherokee.

Moorestown has won all three Coaches Tournament games by one goal. The Quakers beat Rancocas Valley, 1-0; Cinnaminson, 2-1; and Gloucester Catholic, 4-3.

In another twist, Mulvilhill was an assistant at Rowan when Meder played there.

One of the keys is defending against set pieces. Nobody has more plays off set pieces than Moorestown, and Lenape is also dangerous in similar situations.

Since both teams have played challenging schedules, neither should be overwhelmed by the moment.

"I think our team and Moorestown have played many tough games, and we look at this as just another tough opponent," Meder said.

Of course, nobody likes to play up the underdog status as much as Mulvihill.

"They are the favorites," Mulvilhill said. "Lenape is nationally ranked and should be favored."

Still, one gets the feeling that Moorestown will show up. So will Lenape in what should be a highly competitive championship game.

Here are the projected Moorestown starters:

F, Jenna Hildebrand, Sr.; F, Jess Sarkisian, Jr.; F, Bridget Bianco, Soph.; M, Kathleen Wolff, Jr.; M, Jess Kerwin, Jr.; M, Katrina Martinelli, Jr.; D, Claire MacDougal, Jr.; D, Alex Davis, Sr.; D, Hayleigh Dalmass, Fr.; D, Alyssa Ogle, Sr.; G, Erika McCool, Jr.

Here are the projected Lenape starters:

F, Natalia Torosian, Sr.; F, Katie Rigby, Fr.; M, Carlie Mason, Sr.; M, Chelsea Cannon, Jr.; M, Katie Duffy, Sr.; M, Jill Hampton, Jr.; D, Kali Mentzer, Sr.; D, Nicole Curry, Soph.; D, Carley Carmody, Jr.; D, Carolyn Wiley, Jr.; G, Sarah Zieman, Sr.

Team Record

Records through Monday. Last week's rankings are in parentheses.

1.

Lenape (1) 18-0

2.

Moorestown (3) 13-2

3.

Gloucester Cath. (2) 15-1

4.

Cherokee (4) 10-4-1

5.

Washington Twp. (5) 9-6

6.

Bishop Eustace (6) 9-2-4

7.

Seneca (7) 13-4-1

8.

Rancocas Valley (8) 10-3-1

9.

Cinnaminson (9) 13-3-1

10.

Clearview (NR) 12-3-3

Under consideration (listed alphabetically):

Eastern (6-8-4), Paul VI (11-5), West Deptford (13-3).

- Marc Narducci