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Union Girls Soccer Hoping To
Make Noise In Strong Division
By JR Parachini
For sidelinechatter.com

The very best teams in Union County reside in the Watchung Division of the Union County Conference this season, which makes the girls' soccer competition even more challenging for the Union Farmers.

In the second year of the conference this season, the Watchung Division includes the following seven teams: Union, Westfield, Scotch Plains, Cranford, Johnson, Gov. Livingston and Summit.

Westfield won the Watchung Division and Cranford the Union County Tournament last season.

Union managed to tie Westfield 0-0 last year at home, handing the Blue Devils one of their two ties. Westfield reached the Group 4 final, finished 21-1-2 and was ranked No. 3 in the final Star-Ledger Top 20 poll. The Blue Devils also captured North 2, Group 4 for the first time since 2002 and finished as the No. 1 ranked team in Union County.

“We have our hands full, obviously, but it’s a good thing,” fifth-year head coach Eric Shaw said, referring to the constant upgrade in competition.

Moving down to the Mountain Division were Elizabeth, Linden and Plainfield, teams Union beat twice in conference competition last year en route to an 8-11-1 finish.

The UCC consists of the Watchung, Mountain and Valley divisions. Shaw said it was explained to him that teams could not drop down two divisions this year, but could next year.

Of the 15 returning players Shaw talked about Monday, seven started last year including all four seniors.

Those seniors include midfielders Molly Collins and Melinda Kieri and defenders Andrea Garcia and Alyssa Saraceno.

“Those four seniors will be the key to our success,” Shaw said. “They will make sure everyone stays on board with them. They will all be leaders.”

Returning junior starters include goalkeeper Anna Bandley, forward Dana Bergman and defender Brittany Boland. Bandley and Boland are three-year starters.

Bandley was one of the top goalies in Union County last year and one of only three to post a shutout over Westfield.

“Her communication has gotten a lot better,” said Shaw, a 1993 UHS graduate who was a standout keeper for Union’s boys’ team in addition to starring for the men’s squad at Seton Hall University. “She’s more confident in directing the team.”

Bandley only gave up one goal in two games against Westfield and posted several shutouts last season, including one over Rahway 1-0 in a first round UCT contest at home.

Her play in net helped Union qualify for the North 2, Group 4 playoffs, where the Farmers fell at Columbia 1-0 in the first round.

“Anna’s shot blocking, in general, has improved,” Shaw said.

“She has a quick reaction. She’s kept us in many games and we expect her to do the same.”

Boland, who stands 6-1, can be a dominant defensive player at times. She also provides Union with a threat offensively - on head balls - because of her height.

“Her size is intimidating to a lot of girls,” Shaw said.

“On corner kicks and free kicks, she can challenge in the air because of her height.

“For a big girl, she can also dribble out of the back and is good with her feet, which is another strength of hers.

Practice began for Union on Aug. 21, with the team’s first scrimmage scheduled for Monday, Aug. 30 at home at 11 a.m. vs. New Providence. The Pioneers reached the UCT semifinals last year and moved up to the Mountain Division this year.

Union will then host Clifton in its second scrimmage Sept. 1 at 4 p.m. and will host Oak Knoll in its final scrimmage Sept. 7 at 4 p.m.

Union will open at home against Westfield Sept. 11 at 10 a.m.

When Union and Westfield played to a 0-0 conference tie last year in Union on Oct. 7 it was the first time Westfield did not score a goal since the 2008 North 2, Group 4 quarterfinals when Union blanked Westfield 1-0, winning on penalty kicks.

Westfield defeated Union both times that season in conference play.

Bandley made 18 saves in last year’s 0-0 tie against Westfield.

Collins had three assists in an 8-0 conference win at Elizabeth.

Bergman scored two goals and Kieri one in a 5-0 conference win at Linden.

Stephanie Narciso had two goals in an 8-0 conference home win over Elizabeth.

Nicole Bashford had two goals in a 7-0 conference win at Plainfield.

NOTES: Kyarah Foushee, a four-year starter at forward for Shaw who graduated from Union this past June, is now playing at Akron University, which is a Division 1-A school for women’s soccer.

“Kyarah came in the same year I did and was one of our top forwards,” Shaw said. “We looked to go to her as much as possible.”

As a junior in 2008, Foushee was right up there with the leading scorers in Union County after netting 23 goals.

“Kyarah is very quick, can take on people and is able to hit balls with both of her feet,” Shaw said. “We, obviously, as a product of Union High School hope that she does well out there.”

UNION FARMERS GIRLS’ SOCCER

2010 RETURNING PLAYERS

Seniors (4):

* Molly Collins, midfielder

* Andrea Garcia, defender

* Alyssa Saraceno, defender

* Melinda Kieri, midfielder

Juniors (8):

* Anna Bandley, goalkeeper

* Dana Bergman, forward

* Brittany Boland, defender

Tiana Calvache, defender