The Mendham Minutemen girls soccer team has an opportunity at history
MENDHAM, N.J. — The Mendham Minutemen girls soccer team has an opportunity to sketch their names in history forever.
It is undeniable how talented the Mendham girls soccer team is this year. They were rewarded with the ninth ranking in the state, per NJ.com. The Minutemen girls soccer team is undefeated thus far and is recognized as one of the best teams in the state. The Minutemen earned the top seed in the Morris County Tournament and a first-round bye. The girls are looking to take on the winner of Villa Walsh who is ranked 16th or the number 17th ranked Boonton squad in the second round.
“The team has been playing extremely hard and staying disciplined with their roles on the team,” said Sean Goldsworthy, who is in his second year as head coach. “We are off to a 4-0-1 start. This group of girls are locked in, ready to learn, and prove they belong with some of the best teams in the state.”
The Minutemen are built to win now
This team contains nine seniors, 11 juniors, and three sophomores. While this team may not be very young and prepares for years of domination. This team is most certainly ready and is built to win now. The Girls have bought into Goldsworthy philosophy and they seem to be playing with a swagger that’s unmatched and scary for opposing teams. The chemistry is undeniable and everyone accepts and understands their role on the team and it has led to tons of success.
“Each player understands what their role is on the team, and they work hard every day to improve,” Goldsworthy said.
They have found immense success with this group. They defeated Morris Knolls, 4-3; Montclair, 1-0; Scotch Plains-Fanwood, 1-0 and Randolph, 1-0. They have a tied game against West Morris Central in which went scoreless. However, this success has not made this team complacent their coach instills the rankings mean nothing if they can’t win big games and give people proof for being rewarded that ranking.
“This team knew that this season was about proving themselves, and they have done just that so far,” Goldsworthy said. “They played No. 2 state-ranked Montclair and won in overtime, knocked off a perennial state powerhouse in Scotch Plains-Fanwood in overtime, and drew with sister school West Morris Central. The team earned a No. 9 ranking in the state, but they are well aware that being ranked only means something if you can back it up every practice and every game.”
Challenges the team had to overcome
The team has faced several challenges as the year has continued. Many teams face these obstacles such as injuries, suspensions, and tough losses, etc … The goal for these obstacles as a coach and as a leader is to remained focus and keep your team away from distractions as much as possible. Goldsworthy attempts to make sure everyone is always prepared and capable of making logical decisions that can affect themselves as well as the team.
“Every year you have to plan to make sure every player is ready when called upon because you never know when there will be an injury,” Coach Goldsworthy said. “This team has made a name for themselves so far, and we know that with every game we play we are going to get the best of what our opponents have to offer. Since we are still dealing with the pandemic, the team must be diligent in all the on-field and off-field decisions that they make.”
“As a coach, my goal for this team is to have them prepared for every practice, game, and team event,” he continues. “I know that if I work to put each player and this team in the right position, then it will give this team a chance to be successful.”
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