Difficulty in scoring was a regular occurrence for nearly all the teams that faced the Westfield High School girls soccer team this season.Another difficulty was preventing a powerhouse of scoring threats which would set the stage for the Blue Devils to grab the Union County Conference Watchung Division, the Union County Tournament (UCT), the North Jersey, Section 2, Group 4 and the Group 4 crowns en route to a 20-1 season.
The past four years have been stellar for the Blue Devils, who amassed a 72-3-6 record over that stretch. The 2021 season had the Blue Devils winning the conference, the UCT and sectional (both over Scotch Plains-Fanwood), and the Group 4 crown after dethroning then No. 1 ranked Freehold Township, 1-0, whenAlyssa Martinez hooked in a left-footed goal with eight seconds remaining at Kean University to earn the team the status of No. 1 with a 21-0-1 record.
Another unbeaten season followed when the Blue Devils finished 15-04, when they won the conference and UCT titles but did end up on the short side of a 3-2 shootout with Watchung Hills. Last year, the Blue Devils won the conference, was upset by the Oak Knoll Royals in the UCT semifinal, beat Hunterdon Central for the section crown then lost to Ridgewood in the Group 4 semifinal to finish 16-2.
“Defense has always been the backbone of our team. In 2021, we allowed just 11 goals with 13 shutouts, followed by an incredible 2022 season with only 5 goals against and 15 shutouts. In 2023, we conceded 10 goals with 13 shutouts, and in 2024, we maintained our strength with just 9 goals against and 14 shutouts. Over the past three years, excluding 2021 as most of the girls weren’t on that team, our defense has surrendered only 24 goals in 58 games, amassing an impressive 42 shutouts. That’s a defense that has truly stood the test of time,” Blue Devil Head Coach Alex Schmidt pointed out.”
In all four of these seasons, cocaptain Audra Toth, who had been playing on defense, has been a starter but this time she moved forward and led the team with 23 goals and nine assists for 55 points. Sophomore midfielder Emilie Cadigan finished with 12 goals and 11 assists for 35 points. The pair have worked together this season like a fine tuned machine, setting each other up for many of their goals.
“Many teams can pull off a winning season in a single year, but sustaining excellence in a team sport like soccer over four years requires extraordinary effort, focus, and commitment. Audra has achieved an astounding 12 out of a possible 16 titles, while players who have been on the team for three years have secured 8 out of 12. Winning this many titles was never the ultimate goal – improvement always takes precedence – but the victories are a natural byproduct of the trust, transparency, and strong bonds these girls build every year,” Coach Schmidt explained.
Senior forward Brooke Morrison and junior midfielder/forwardAshley Yenawine became quite an asset with their accurate corner kicks and scorings. Morrison finished with seven goals and nine assists for 23 points and Yenawine finished with six goals and eight assists for 20 points. Another asset was junior forward Mary Lane, who would be quite a threat sprinting down the right sideline. She finished with three goals and dished out five assists for 11 points.
Sophomore midfielder Catherine Oliveira scored three goals and added a pair of assists, and sophomore forward Ava Jasina put in three goals. Sophomore forward Georgia Morrelli finished with a goal and three assists, junior midfielder Maya Nair scored twice and freshman forward Victoria Corcoran added two assists.
But the defense was just outstanding and limited opponents to nine goals (less than 0.5 per game) and recorded 14 shutouts, while the offense put up 61 goals. Heading that nearly impenetrable wall were senior co-captain Erin Hazard and junior centerback Callie Schmidt (5 assists). Both were capable of redirecting the ball back up field in a hurry to their forwards and midfielders. Junior back Andie Janota did score once. Senior backs Olivia Thornton and Lauren Furey, and junior Olivia DiGregorio each provided an assist. Sharing duties at goal were junior Sofia Buoscio, who recorded 52 saves, and freshman Phoebe Klag, who recorded 29 saves.
“Callie has been a stalwart on the backline throughout these years, bringing consistency and leadership. Erin and Olivia DiGregorio, who were standout players last year, elevated their game to new heights this season. We also had some pleasant surprises – Liv Thornton and Lauren Furey played their best soccer in their final year, while newcomers like Mairin Fowler and Nina Rodrigues quickly adapted to our high expectations,” said Coach Schmidt, who added. “MovingAndie Janota to the backline had a transformative effect, much like moving Audra to the frontline. As the season progressed, Andie became increasingly comfortable in her outside back role, ultimately emerging as a key force for our defense.”
The Blue Devils won their first five games but their only blemish came next when they dropped a 2-1 decision in overtime via penalty kick to the Elizabeth Minutemen. Their next five victories resulted in three shutouts and a pair of overtime wins. In the UCT, the Blue Devils blanked New Providence and the SPF Raiders then after edging the Summit Hilltoppers, 2-1, in overtime during a regular-season game, they beat them again, 2-1, for the UCT title.
The section tournament was next and the Blue Devils shut out Phillipsburg and Ridge then got even with Elizabeth in a big way, 4-1, before knocking off Bridgewater-Raritan, 1-0, for the crown. The Blue Devils rocked No. 10 Montclair, 4-0, in the Group 4 semifinal then won the big one with a 1-0 triumph over Eastern at Franklin High School.
In the season opener against Cranford, Toth netted a hat trick (3 goals) and an assist, while Cadigan provided a pair of assists. Cadigan scored all three goals in the win over Wayne Valley and Toth provided two assists. Cadigan scored twice, Toth had two assists and Morrison scored once against the SPF Raiders. Toth added another hat trick against Governor Livingston, Morrison had a goal and an assist, and Cadigan set up two assists.
“We always knew our defense would be rock-solid, but our attack was an area we needed to develop. Moving Audra from the back line to a forward position was a bold move definitely a ‘go big or go home’ decision. Over the years, coaching has taught us to recognize traits that suit different positions, and Audra checked the boxes for many of them. Her chemistry with the attacking unit was immediate,” Coach Schmidt explained.
In an overtime win over West Orange, Morrelli, Lane and Jasina each scored once. Toth added another hat trick against Monroe and scored twice in the UCT win over New Providence. Yenawine scored the goal against the Raiders in the UCT semi. Jasina scored the overtime goal against Summit then Oliveira and Cadigan each scored in the UCT victory over Summit.
Toth did it again with three goals and an assist in the section win over Phillipsburg,whileMorrisonscoredtwice and Yenawine had a goal and two assists. Yenawine had a goal and an assist against Ridge. Cadigan scored twice and Morrison had three assists against Elizabeth then Cadigan set up Toth with the winning goal over Bridgewater-Raritan in the section final.
In the Group 4 semifinal against Montclair, Toth scored twice and Cadigan had two assists. Cadigan then ripped in the winning goal against Eastern for the Group 4 crown.
“Audra’s ability to read the play, especially whenAshley and Emilie controlled possession in the midfield, was remarkable. On the wings, players like Brooke and Mary and others brought speed and dynamism, consistently disrupting the opposition’s flanks, creating crossing opportunities, and winning crucial corners. We’re very deliberate in defining the role of our wingers – at least as much as you can be in a sport as fluid as soccer – and they executed brilliantly,” Coach Schmidt said.
As in the past three years, the Blue Devils will graduate several very talented athletes but the atmosphere of excellence has been set.
Coach Schmidt concluded, “We place a high priority on team-building, and it’s a cornerstone of our success. This team isn’t for everyone, and we fully understand that. It takes a unique personality to thrive here, as we hold our players to high standards – not just during the season but in their preparation and commitment throughout the off-season as well. Our expectations for growth, both individually and collectively, are relentless, and this shared focus has been instrumental in fostering a culture of excellence year after year.”
