Hastings Soccer Preview: Lady Jackets Ready To Rebuild

A piecemeal group of returning veterans and less-experienced newcomers--all vying for meaningful minutes on the field--make up this year's girls varsity soccer team in Hastings. 

While it's too early to pinpoint who will take the lead as key scorers, and top defenders, the Yellow Jackets' coach Timon Munting said establishing chemistry and training the team to work as an organized unit are at the very top of his priority list.

The Yellow Jackets were a senior-laden squad last year, propelled by the collective veteran leadership and offensive prowess of powerhouse Kari McWalters, who boasted 14 goals and 13 assists for the season.

The Jackets finished with an impressive overall record of 12-5-1.

The Yellow Jackets' roster has been thoroughly cleansed from last season, with 2010's graduation claiming six starters, including McWalters--also an academic All-American--and Maud Reavill.  

 "We only have four seniors coming back, so it's definitely going to be a transitional year for us," explained Munting, a well-traveled Netherlands native who played at Rockland Community College.

"The whole theme of this year is building off of last year. We would have liked to take the league last year; we missed out by a game and a half. Still, we expect to be solid. We have a lot of young talent coming in. There's a decent section from last year that's still around," Munting said.   

Captains Hannah Wyman, Julia Salinaro, and Andrea Stephens will play prominent roles. The trio has knows what it means to work together toward victory and will undoubtedly help control the Jackets' methodical tempo that has traditionally been characterized by crisp ball movement.

Wyman is a senior sweeper who helped seal the net and played a physical and intimidating brand of defense last year.

Stephens, who tallied 12 goals and dished out eight assists last season--including a hat trick during the 9-1 victory over Woodlands--will likely shine as one of the go-to players. 

Salinaro seemingly shredded up defenses at will last season, depositing 17 goals and doling out 11 assists. The senior's unique blend of skill, speed, and sheer athleticism has her anointed as the focal point of the offense.

 How everything shakes up with the handful of unproven rookies will determine Hastings' ultimate ranking in the league.    

"If there's one thing we can build off of from last year, it's momentum," said Munting. "We had great momentum last year and it really carried through. We expect it to translate onto the field this season."

The Jackets' momentum reached its pinnacle during a stretch that spanned from mid to late October. They reeled off five straight victories and avenged a loss to cross-town rival Dobbs Ferry.

Prior to their season-ending loss, Hastings had been on a hot streak, compiling eight straight games without a single loss.  

Munting said that he'd like this year's team to refine their skills and work on the defensive aspects of the game. He's shifted his  strategy a bit, aiming to cultivate a team that clamps down on top scorers and keeps strikers in check.    

While the rebuilding process and the loss of eight seniors may create a seismic shift in his offense, Munting realizes that melding together as a unified force--in which the group as a whole is stronger than the sum of its parts--will be the most vital factor heading into the competition season.