BY TIM MORRIS
Staff Writer

If Brookdale Community College’s women’s soccer team is to claim another Garden State Athletic Conference (GSAC) title, it will because the defense held the fort.

Frank Lawrence’s Jersey Blues began the 2005 season with a lot of question marks and injuries surrounding their forwards. Basically, who would put the ball in the net.

The Blues have talent up front with Morgan Ball (Manalapan) and Lauren Lovallo (Old Bridge), but they have been injured, contributing to the team’s 1-2 start.

“We struggled to score goals,” Lawrence said. “Because of injuries, I’ve had to do a lot of mixing. We have a brand-new midfield. It’s made the transition up front not as smooth as it will be.”

But, while the Blues wait for everything to click on offense, they can count on a rock-solid defense, led by returning All-American Erika Thompsen (Raritan), an outside back.

“Our defense is very strong,” Lawrence said. “When you have the kind of defense we have, you’re in every game. We know we can compete because our defense is so strong. We’re not going to give up a lot of goals.”

Although Thompsen is joined in the backfield by three newcomers and a new goalie, the Blues have been playing like a seasoned unit. Katie Miller, Thompsen’s former Rocket teammate, has joined her high school mate on the outside with Laura Fiorentino (Sayreville) and Tara Trainer (Neptune), the inside defenders.

“They work so well together,” Lawrence said. “It’s great how quickly they understood what we want them to do. They got it immediately.

“Everyone is playing their natural position,” he added. “They’re very bright soccer players.”

As the last line of defense, goalie Kim Mergner (Jackson) has been outstanding. She has tough shoes, or rather hands, to fill. She’s replacing All-American Tammy Wood.

However, Mergner did see action last year behind Wood, enough for Lawrence to know the team would be in good shape with her.

“She comes out well on the through balls and clears the ball well,” he remarked. “She has monster punts.”

The Blues are working in four new midfielders, and they are starting to come into their own individually and collectively. They are starting to trigger the transition game and create scoring chances for their forwards.

Kirsten Difenderfer (Shore Regional), Gina Ciccarelli (Monmouth Regional) and Mindy Brickle (Raritan) are playing center midfield, while Amanda Butler (Neptune) and Kim Banach (Long Branch) are playing the outside.

The midfielders all have good speed and cover a lot of ground.

When Ball and Lovallo can get back to playing at full strength, that will be the final piece of the puzzle for the Blues, who were 9-7 last year and won the GSAC for the third straight year.

Brookdale begins the heart of its GSAC schedule this week. Tuesday, the Blues hosted Sussex, on Saturday, they are at Middlesex, and on Tuesday, they are at Morris.

The Blues have a three-game home stand starting Sept. 24 when Bergen makes a call at noon. On Sept. 27, it’s Camden visiting Lincroft (3:30 p.m.), and on Oct. 1, Gloucester makes the trip up north (noon).

Playoffs begin Nov. 1.