Unedited SPF Goalies

Take two high school programs from the same town-one the benchmark for successin Central Jersey, the other trying to make its reputation. Add two coaches,one a legend nearing 500 wins, the other in his second season. Combine thatwith the specter of each team losing a multi year starter at goalie tograduation last year and you have the formula for the almost unfathomablereality of both Scotch Plains Fanwood high school soccer teams startingfreshman goalies this fall.

And if the early results are any harbinger, the coaches Tom Breznitsky(Boys)and Kevin Ewing(girls) should feel vindicated about their confidence and gutsto start previously untested newcomers in the most high profile and pressurefilled soccer position. Through five games Bryan Meredith had been unscoredupon including whitewashes of local rivals Westfield, Cranford andPlainfield. Girls keeper Lauren Mains was no less impressive, helping theRaiders to historic triumphs over previous nemesis Westfield and Cranford whilealso leaving the goal to score against Newark East Side.Breznitsky, nearing a quarter century as Raiders’ coach has won an impressive467 games but none of those wins had come with a freshman starting as goalie.

“We have had some freshmen get time in the goal but none was an actual starter.Bryan has done an excellent job thus far this season. He plays well beyond hisyears, “ said Breznitsky.Ewing’s team has reversed their inauspicious 0-4 start to his initial season in2002 by winning their first four games due in no small part to four freshmenstarters led by Mains.

“Lauren is a great athlete,“ said Ewing.“She doesn’t play or act like a freshman. “While their talent was evident from an early age where both joined travelingteams as early as allowable, they have recently taken different paths tosuccess. Mains is an all around athlete excelling in softball, basketball andfootball at Park Middle School where she held her own with the boys. Soccer isnot necessarily her favorite sport.“I don't have a favorite sport, I like to play all of them,” said Mains, whoadmitted a soft spot for football.“I do miss football. Sometimes at water breaks I would sneak a look at thempracticing, but I couldn't be happier playing soccer with this team.” Meredith, on the other hand, has eschewed other sports to be a year roundplayer, starring for the two time defending state club champions PlayersDevelopment Academy (PDA) Socrates of Zarepath, NJ. “I don't play any other sport because I prefer to focus on Soccer. Manyof my teammates on the Varsity team and at Socrates play baseball, andbasketball and other sports at a competitive level, I just love soccer,” saidMeredith. Among his PDA teammates are two other town residents Robert Cunningham andBrian Hessemer, whose older brother Mike is a three year starter for theRaiders.“Playing with Brian on Socrates and Michael on the Varsity team is greatbecause it is one less new name to remember. They are both great players andteammates”, said Meredith who appreciates how easy his teammates have acceptedhim.“ Michael and Ryan(Breznitsky)made me feel welcome right away during tryouts “,said Meredith.“We had seem him play enough at PDA to know how talented he was “, said theyounger Breznitsky. “ He has a tremendous amount of poise and confidence for afreshman.”.“PDA has prepared me very well because we have played in many high leveltournaments with great competition. As a Goalie they also provide megoalkeeping training. Mr. Blogett is my trainer he works us very hard tomake us better,” said Meredith.There is little rest for Meredith who continues to play on weekends for his PDAclub which is a veritable who’s who of outstanding young New Jersey soccertalent who attend schools like Delbarton, Pingry and St. Benedicts.. Thisweekend Meredith hopes to contribute to a third straight state title for PDA.“So far there has not been a problem I have told Bryan our expectations ofhim and have working together with his club coaches to work out anypotential conflicts,” said Tom Breznitsky.The girls’ co-captain Chelsea Mintz is just as impressed with Mains. “She hasthe strongest hands I’ve ever seen on a goalie, “ said Mintz.. “When she getsto the ball nobody is going to take it from her.”For Mains the toughest adjustment to high school play has been taking charge ona field with older players. “Before this year I never really said things, likeman on, or you mark # 7. I learned that as a goalie you have to talk to yourteam, because you can see the whole field,” said Mains. The two freshman have become friends and mutual admiration societies.“Lauren is in some of my classes and we are friends so I am veryaware of the great start to the girls season as well as our own,” saidMeredith.“I have never thought about trading tips with him, but I like that idea. I knowhim pretty well, we are in the same Spanish class,” said Mains. Lauren andBryan the Spanish word for great goalkeeper is Gran encargado de la meta