1990/10/18 Westfield Record (New Jersey)
Rebels Erase Regional Misconceptions
by David Wheeler
Westfield's girl’s varsity soccer team lost 2-1 to a strong Franklin, Tennessee team Saturday before a huge crowd at Tamaques School. Despite a strong effort in the fourth quarter, Westfield was unable to overcome two goals by Franklin striker Dria Arenth, and lost for the first time this year.
The Devils, seeded No. 1, open the Union County Tournament with a game against either Union Catholic or Kent Place tomorrow (Friday) at home.
Franklin was coming off a 1-0 loss to East Brunswick, its first loss since 1988. Its record since 1986 is 121-2-4.
The scoring began early in the second quarter when Arenth kicked it just past goalie Amy Korchak. "It was really a garbage goal," Arenth said. "The ball more or less just bounced off my leg and into the goal."
After the ensuing faceoff, Westfield striker Rebecca Krohn brought the ball downfield and kicked it in from 20 yards out It was Krohn's 23rd goal of the season, and sixth of the week Arenth broke the tie late in the second quarter when Korchak blocked a shot but couldn't hold onto It When she fell, all Arenth had to do was tap the ball in Westfield controlled play in the second half, and especially the fourth quarter Krohn had several opportunities, but one shot hit the left post, and another sailed over the goal. "We had a lot of opportunities in the second half, but we were unable to capitalize on them," fullback Rosemarie Miller said.
Overall, Franklin found its two New Jersey games to be physical ones. "It was rough in the beginning, but our girls adjusted well," Rebel Coach Gary Shrader said. "By the second half, we started playing yalls game." Play was also rough in the East Brunswick game, during which fullback Erin Shea broke her leg.
The Rebels headed to New York City after the game, a new experience for most of the players. The Westfield players also appreciated the new experience of playing a team from a different region. Some players exchanged addresses with the Franklin players, and as they walked off the field, Arenth gave Krohn a miniature confederate flag.
Westfield Coach George Kapner also saw many good things come out of the weekend "It was a fantastic experience," Kapner said. "They had misconceptions about us, but instead found a bunch of lovely people We also had misconceptions, but discovered they were just like us." Kapner looked at the game from two angles. "As a human being, it was nice to see them win. A loss would have sent them back to Tennessee with two losses plus the girl's injury. "As a coach, obviously I .vould have preferred to win the game But the (Westfield) girls played great."
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