Soccer Recap: Lenape seniors look back on season they led

As freshmen three years ago, Lenape's Lindsey Walsh and Jen Pfeiffer looked up to their seniors.

As team leaders trying to string a state championship to their diplomas this fall, they looked to each other and to their fellow seniors to make soccer school
history.

Receiving crucial play from their seven seniors, the Indians over came a rash of injuries to post a 22-2-1 record, including a 3-0 victory over Bridgewater-Raritan that unlocked the school's first-ever Group 4 Championship.

That's why Walsh, only a summer away from lacing up for Monmouth University, has no trouble looking back on that special season, one that was four years in the making and shared with a seasoned, determined cast of friends.

``When you work so hard together, when you work through the ups and the downs,that's who you want to be with,'' the midfielder said.

Most of the team saw it all, from the buds to the bloom, including coach Kevin Meder.
An assistant during Walsh's and Pfeiffer's freshman year, Meder took the whistle the following year, breathing life into a fledging program.

``I think he knew how to spark enthusiasm among us and get us excited,''
Walsh said. ``He really made you work hard to get closer to your
goals.''

He wasn't the only one who assumed new responsiblities that year.

Nine starters turned tassels in 2005, guaranteeing a rebuilding year
if only their replacements would've allowed it.

Along with co-captains Walsh, Pfeiffer and Sara Hancock, seniors Kelsey
Andrade, Stephanie Lam, Brittany Faunce and Jessica Birchler displayed signs of lead
ership with each game.

``Some of the good players matured into stars and some of the players who struggled earlier on became good role players,'' Meder said. ``The
seniors really knew what their roles were.''

But nobody led as vocally as Pfeiffer, Meder said.

``When we would let up a tough goal, she'd be the first one to grab the
ball, bring it to midfield and say 'Don't worry about it, we can get this
one back,''' Meder said.

``She knew how to pick the team up if we had a really tough game. But she always did it in a really positive way which just shows how the kids respected her.''

Pfeiffer said she took after Allison Williams, a senior captain during her freshman year, during her more challeng
ing moments.

``I'm willing to take the blame for everything. If we get scored on, I'll fix
it,'' said the Saint Joseph's University-bound forward. ``Picking a team up after a goal is huge because your head will droop and that's the time you need to come
back strongest.''

At the behest of others, Pfeiffer met with teammates during the offseason to practice drills and lend advice.

Under the guidance of her and others, the Indians earned their fifth South
Jersey Coaches Association Tournament title, their fourth Courier-Post Cup and
a No.8 spot on the NSCAA/adidas National Rankings.

Losing seven seniors next year hurts, but Walsh knows with juniors Natalia Torosian, Sarah Zieman and sophomore Carolyn Wiley onboard, the team is left in good cleats.

``I think they can overcome that very easily,'' Walsh said.