“We know that this division and the competition only makes us better and more prepared for the postseason.”
Last season was a solid one for the Burlington Township High School girls soccer team, as it finished with a 10–8–2 record and made the Central Jersey Group 3 playoffs. The Falcons are in a highly competitive BCSL Liberty Division, which saw five teams finish with double-digit victories last season.
Kim Lamenteer is in her 13th year as head coach of the team, and is having early season success in 2017.
The Falcons have a 5–0 record through Sept. 19, defeating their opponents by a combined score of 15–0. Even with a good record, the coach believes the team still needs to improve.
“We’ve been taking accountability and staying focused on the next opponent and not looking further ahead,” Lamenteer said. “The girls have been playing very well against tough teams but are still struggling to maintain a consistent level of play against all our opponents.”
Five players are key to the Falcons this season, and all have played well in preseason and in the early matches.
Senior forward Gabriella Senni tallied 17 goals a season ago, and is a key talent who returns up front. Senior midfielder Nicole Binkley had 12 assists a year ago, while defenders Kate Field and Anissa Crump have helped keep the team strong defensively. Sophomore goalkeeper Erin Turpin is another key player.
“All five of these girls have helped us in one way or another,” Lamenteer said. “Kate and Anissa have worked to shut down our opponents’ best players, while Erin is hard-working and has shown confidence. Gabriella is a true competitor and is always pushing her teammates to succeed. Nicole is one of the hardest-working players to play in the program.”
Playing against the likes of Cinnaminson, Holy Cross, Rancocas Valley and Delran is not easy and brings new challenges every game. However, the challenge of a tough division “adds to the drive to succeed,” states Lamenteer.
“We play some of the best teams in South Jersey, and they keep getting better every game,” Lamenteer said. “We just try to tackle every game as if it’s the most important game of the season. We also know that this division and the competition only makes us better and more prepared for the postseason.”
The art of coaching goes beyond wins and losses. The goal is to also prepare these girls for life after high school, as well as being good students and community members. Lamenteer says she is “fortunate to be coaching a group of hard-working girls.”
“I try to teach them to push themselves from within, strive to be their best and not settle for anything less,” Lamenteer said. “I want them all to feel the satisfaction of hard work paying off. These are the memories and skills that I want to stay with them long after their high school soccer careers have ended.”
The 37-year-old Mt. Holly resident feels her team can be competitive in both the Liberty Division and the Central Jersey playoffs. Her hopes are the players continue to strive in and out of the classroom as well.
“Off the field, I have an amazing group of girls that work hard in and out of the classroom,” Lamenteer said. “They are great mentors to younger players in the program and enjoy giving back to the community.”
