Lady Barrons race to top of White Division
BY MIKE McDONALD
Staff Writer

Needless to say, Glenn Lottmann is happy with the way his Woodbridge girls soccer team has responded to last year’s successful season.

The Barrons have picked up right where they left off, and at 6-0-1, appear poised to make a run at the White Division title.

“I am very proud of the way we have opened the season,” he said. “I set high expectations for this team. The kids worked really hard. The kids deserve the success they are having.”

What makes the start of the season that much more impressive is the fact that last year’s team snuck up and surprised a lot of teams during its run to the Greater Middlesex Conference (GMC) Tournament final. This year, the other teams knew what to expect but still can’t beat this Woodbridge team.

“I like to think that we are experienced, but young,” Lottman said. “We have only one senior and five juniors on the team. We have two freshmen and all the rest are sophomores. Our success last year was able to get these girls experience for this year.”

And the results of that success are apparent.

Ashley Grabowski, who is only a sophomore, has already notched three goals and two assists, and is emerging as one of the GMC’s top players.

“She is perhaps my biggest surprise,” Lottman said. “She is a good player. She worked hard this off-season and is in great shape. She is a dominant midfielder. I knew she had the potential to be a great player, I just didn’t know we would be reaping the benefits so quickly.”

Another star this year has been junior Daria Bialik, who has notched 11 goals and two assists. Her strong play has not come as a surprise.

“Daria has been phenomenal,” Lottman said. “Last year, she scored 24 goals and was recognized as one of the better goal-scorers in the county. This year, she has come out looking just as impressive. She works hard to be as good as she is. She is an example of hard work paying off.”

Also playing well for Woodbridge is a girl who some coaches doubted would develop into a legitimate star player. Sophomore Kourtney Brodniak played well last year, but some coaches didn’t think she had the toughness and ability to be a great player. Well, they’re eating their words this year, as not only has she played well all year, scoring six goals and one assist, but she has played especially well inside the White Division. All of her goals have been scored against those same coaches who doubted her.

“Kourtney is one great soccer player. She plays well normally, but once you fire her up, she is even better,” said Lottmann.

The goalkeeper has been bowling standout Amanda Small. She has looked impressive in goal, although this is her first year playing soccer goalie for Woodbridge.

“Amanda is a great bowler. Now she is trying to turn some heads by playing soccer,” Lottman said. “She is a great goalie and has learned the position very quickly. If she puts her mind to it, I am convinced Amanda can do anything.”

With Woodbridge firing on all cylinders, the division race is on. Coming into this week, the Barrons were atop the division, with Colonia (6-1, 4-1) and Sayreville not far behind at 3-1 in the division.

Woodbridge got a big win over Colonia on Saturday, as Bialik notched a pair of goals, and were hoping to put a little distance between themselves and the Bombers yesterday, before playing at home against Perth Amboy tomorrow and away against Monroe on Saturday.