By Suie Choi ‘20, Sports Editor

There is no doubt that many changes occurred in the Newark Academy girls’ soccer program (NAGS) in preparation for this season. After losing Coach Hamilton and five starting seniors from last year (including goalie Gabby Neibart ‘19, who is now competing D1 at the University of Pittsburgh), the team did not know what to expect coming into the season. The team was the underdog coming into this season and knew they needed to raise their standards to be successful. 

NAGS did just that, defying the odds and expectations of all the teams in their current division. Not only is their current record of 14-4-2 a stark improvement from last year’s 5-11, but they also earned the 2019 SEC Liberty Division Championship title with a 2-1 win against Belleville for the fifth time in NAGS history and the first time since 2011. Co-captain Aashna Parameshwar ‘20 says, about the team’s notable win, “It felt incredible to see all our hard work the entire season paying off by winning the division. To know that 2019 NAGS broke an 8 year drought of winning the title makes us even more excited to continue one of the best seasons we have ever had into the Prep and State tournaments.” The team’s determination and gritty mindset are two of the biggest contributors to its success. 

Additionally, the offensive punch is one of the strongest components of the team. The young dynamic duo of Kate Fishbone ‘22 and Ava Cole ‘22 is unstoppable. Fishbone leads the team with 15 goals and seven assists, and Cole is right up there with 14 goals and eight assists. Fishbone notes, “Ava and I are really close off the field, strengthening our chemistry on the field. We bring different things to the table, and our strengths complement each other. Without the talented and hardworking team playing with us, we wouldn’t be having the successful sophomore season we are.” Alongside the invincible duo, Aashna Parameshwar ‘20, Nora Gaby-Biegel ‘20, and Lexi Guastello ‘21 all make up arguably one of the strongest starting offensive line-ups that NAGS has ever seen.

But the powerful offense would be nothing without its great defense.  Co-captains Kyra Hermans ‘20 and Maddie Verrone ‘20, along with Rachel Glickman ‘20 and Jordan McCray-Robinson ‘21, make up the defensive line in front of goalkeeper Kaitlin Weiss ‘21. When asked about the defense team dynamic, Kaitlin Weiss ‘21 says, “Mistakes happen on defense, but I have never seen a group of girls pick each other up so quickly and fight so hard for each other. Our captains have been the backbone of the defense all season long and having such strong leadership in the back has absolutely contributed to our success.” The leadership in the back has fostered a strong support system, creating a supportive and closer team as a whole. 

As a result of their hard work, NAGS has had one of the most successful seasons this fall than it has had in awhile, and the team is not slowing down either. Come out and support the team on the fields as the mighty NAGS fight to take on State Championships.