2019 GMC preview

By Brian Deakyne | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

on March 18, 2019 4:23 PM

GREATER MIDDLESEX CONFERENCE

DIVISIONAL ALIGNMENTS

• Red Division: South Brunswick, Old Bridge, East Brunswick, J.P. Stevens, Monroe, Edison, North Brunswick, South Plainfield, Bishop Ahr

AT THE TOP

Monroe has won two straight Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament titles and should enter this season as the team to beat again. Liz Skobelev will be the top returner for Monroe this season after her impressive 66-goal, 24-assists season as a junior last year.

The losses of Ashley Patten and Paige Gandy to graduation will certainly be felt but Monroe should reload, and not rebuild, this year.

South Brunswick will return a strong nucleus from a team that reached the county final last season and pushed Monroe to double-overtime before losing on an 8-meter. Madison Butler, Margot Costello and Maddy Dombrowski will all be key returners on attack for a team that gained valuable experience a year ago and could contend for a GMC title this time around.

North Brunswick was one of the GMC's best teams during the regular season last year and will look to replicate that success after winning 11 games. Hayley Greenberg will be North Brunswick's top returner after suffering serious graduation losses in Cassie Oake and Elena Vargas.

IN THE HUNT

Old Bridge won 11 games last season and will look to take its run a step further into the postseason. Abigail Zimmerlink, who led Old Bridge with 55 goals last year, will return to lead an experienced team that includes a key returner in Lindsay Shafer.

Lynda Farinella will return as South Plainfield's leading scorer this season as the Tigers will look to build off its eight-win season. Farinella scored 54 goals last year.

OF NOTE

Kenisha Chester scored 28 goals last season and will be the key returner for Edison. Chester just helped Edison to a second straight appearance in the GMCT final in basketball.

Brian Deakyne may be reached at bdeakyne@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @BrianDeakyne. Like NJ.com High School Sports on Facebook.