No. 1 Rutgers Prep girls soccer bests No. 3 Freehold Township in opener

The absence of the state’s top striker was palpable, but Rutgers Prep never let it become an issue.

The Argonauts, No. 1 in the NJ.com Top 20, will be playing the next few weeks without Virginia commit Addison Halpern, who is away with the U-20 National Team at the World Cup in Colombia. That anticipated void at forward was a lingering question mark coming into the year. It was answered in 57 seconds.

Junior Nyla Lopez scored off a free kick from classmate Alexa Lee in the opening minute of playing against No. 3 Freehold Township. Junior Olivia Robinson and rookie Kyrah Lormiladded scores for Rutgers Prep and the Argonauts never looked back during an impressive 3-1 win over the defending Group 4 champion.

“We knew we had Freehold Township coming in for our first game and we’ve had this date circled on the calendar,” said Louisville commit Brielle Baker. “We knew they’d come out hot. Freehold Township played great today and Gaby Parker was great today, but we were really happy to work as a team, especially with Addie away at the U-20 World Cup. We were worried about our goal scorers coming into today and who they’d be, but we were able to find some and we really took advantage on our finishes today.”

Rutgers Prep took over the top spot in the state a year ago when it knocked off Freehold Township in the the pouring rain during Tropical Storm Ophelia. The Argonauts never let go of it and capped off the year with their second straight Non-Public B title. Rutgers Prep has won three state titles in the past five years.

Halpern scored the game-winner that afternoon at the Mountain vs. Seas event in Hillsborough.

Rutgers Prep hasn’t played without the senior since a COVID-impacted 2020 season, but it has been through this scenario before with Melina Rebimbas, who played in the U-17 World Cup in 2022. Halpern was the guiding light during that time though, so this situation was a bit foreign for the Argonauts

You never would have known that with the way the season-opener played out.

The first goal was a little shocking and Freehold Township felt caught off guard with the way things played out off that free kick. The second goal was a great sequence though and that showed Rutgers Prep is even deeper on offense this fall. It started with Baker slipping the ball to Lormil and the freshman reared back and ripped a rocket into the back of the net. It was an eye-opening debut for the first-year player.

Robinson added a blast off a rebound after an incredible save from Rider commit Ashley Moore.

Lopez and another rookie, Gladys Robinson, started alongside Lormil at forward. Lee, Virginia Tech commit Ellie Robertsonand Arianna Peart made up the midfield. Baker, Robinson, Sandra O’Neill and Ava Mason returned on the back line and sophomore Jordan Reigrod made her debut in net with five saves.

Senior Lily Siegel and sophomores Savannah DeBarros, Alyssa Manasse and Blair Vera also checked in.

“Coming in as a freshman, you don’t really expect to be on the field, but these girls helped me play strong, hold the ball up top, take shots and we really played nice as a team,” said Lormil. “Everyone stayed positive and we worked well together. This was really nerve-wracking and specifically stepping into Addie’s shoes like that at the 9, but I feel like I came into it and all these girls really made me comfortable when I came in.”

Freehold Township started out slow and needed to find its footing after giving up that early goal. It took some time, especially with Providence commit Sophie Tonino out, but the Patriots came on strong late.

Bucknell commit Gaby Parker raced down the sideline, cut in on her defender and broke into free space in the 61st minute. The senior is an elite talent and when it came down to her and the goalie, Parker made sure to finish on that opportunity. A few minutes later Freehold Township just missed another goal.

That shot rang off the far post and the chance to make it a one-goal game vanished.

Bucknell commit Danielle Howard did a good job keeping possession with Freehold Township in the final stretch and the Patriots put pressure on Rutgers Prep, which was dealing with some cramping late. That rally came a little too late though and the lead that Rutgers Prep built up was safe.

Rutgers Prep passed the first test of the season with style and it proved this team will be tough to beat.

“There are always going to be teams coming after us and there’s always going to be hard competition, but that’s what makes it so great,” said Baker, whose part of a senior class that is 58-6-1 and has won two state titles, three sectional championships and a Somerset County title. “We all come from such a high club level and we keep that level high here. It’s intense here and it’s great to always be surrounded by great soccer.”