Tie Wraps Up Hawthorns’ Second Successive Unbeaten Season
11/21/10 — Sunday’s end of season clash was a perfect example of just how exciting a 0-0 tie can be in soccer. The Hawthorns spent the majority of the game inside the Chatham half of the field, trying to prise open the defense with some slick passing and well-timed through-balls. The pressure on the hosts — aptly named the Cheetahs! — was relieved from time to time, however, by lightning fast counter-attacks that threatened to catch the undefeated Parsippany girls off-guard. Nevertheless, neither team was managing to find the net, and it became apparent as the second half wore on that a single lapse by either defense would probably decide the outcome. Every half-chance, therefore, was greeted with exhilaration or panic, depending which direction the ball was heading. Both teams continued to press forward relentlessly in search of a winning goal. Yet both defenses stood their ground for the full hour, and the two teams ended their season with a share of the spoils. The 0-0 tie marks the second successive season that the Hawthorns have remained unbeaten throughout their entire league campaign.
Parsippany Finally Finds Scoring Touch in 3-0 Shut-Out
11/14/10 — At last, the Hawthorns finally managed to turn their possessional advantage into goals. For the opening few minutes of this faced-paced game, the Parsippany girls looked unusually timid and had to survive some early pressure from Millburn Monarchs. But they soon started to move the play into the visitors’ end of the field, and shortly after that they found the net for the first time. Another strike before the break gave the Hawthorns some breathing room, and a third during the second period added some emphasis to their performance. This win now takes Parsippany 8 points clear at the top of the flight.
Hawthorns Clinch First Place with 8th Straight Win!
11/7/10 — A 2-1 win against Elizabeth Desportivo marked the Hawthorns’ eighth successive league victory and ensured that they will end the Fall season in first place. There are still two games remaining before the league campaign closes out, but with a total of 16 points so far, the Parsippany team is now in a position where they cannot be caught. The Hawthorns’ achievement is particularly remarkable given that they had originally been slated to play in a lower flight. The win that sealed the title was very much a game of two halves. Parsippany started the contest with a slightly different attacking strategy, which paid dividends almost immediately. They put themselves ahead within the opening 5 minutes with a well-worked strike straight from the training ground, and added a second just moments later. The second half was fast and furious, and both goalies were called upon to put their bodies on the line. A last-minute goal for Elizabeth — only the second goal that the Hawthorns have conceded in their eight league encounters — did not look likely to affect the outcome or upset the Parsippany girls’ celebrations.
Millburn Monarchs 0, Parsippany Hawthorns 2
10/30/10 — In a lively and exciting game of contrasting styles, the Hawthorns drew upon their core qualities of teamwork and passing to overcome a skilful and determined Millburn side. The Monarchs came into Saturday’s clash with the highest goalscoring record in the flight and the second-lowest goals-against tally, so this was always going to be a tough battle. But the Hawthorns got off the mark inside the first 15 minutes, and then went on to slice through the home team’s defense on several occasions. The Parsippany girls had to deal with a few nervous moments in and around their own 18-yard box, however, before finally putting the game out of reach when some nice combination play midway through the second period ended in a crisply taken goal.
Parsippany Hawthorns 1, Westfield Wizards 0
10/24/10 — For once, it looked as though the Hawthorns’ league game would not end in a 1-0 scoreline! The Parsippany team got off to a lively start against Westfield, taking the lead after about 8 minutes with a well-struck goal from around 20 yards. And it certainly felt as though more would follow. For most of the first half the home side moved the ball effectively and made better use of the space than they had in their previous games. Some nice combination passes produced several goalscoring opportunities, but once again the Hawthorns failed to capitalize within the strike zone. As the game wore on, both teams had chances to add to the scoring — including a spectacular Parsippany header that was just wide of the top corner. In the end, however, the referee’s whistle closed out yet another 1-0 win for the Hawthorns.
Monroe Purple Storm 0, Parsippany Hawthorns 1
Parsippany Hawthorns 1, Chatham Cheetahs 0
10/16-17/10 — It was “Superweekend” for the Hawthorns with two tough league games on the schedule, and the Parsippany team emerged with all four points to maintain its position at the top of the table. Although both games produced plenty of action in and around the 18-yard box, goals proved hard to come by and in each case it was a single strike that sealed the outcome.
Elizabeth Desportivo 0, Parsippany Hawthorns 1
10/3/10 — The Hawthorns bounced back from their State Cup exit to overcome a tough Elizabeth Desportivo team and consolidate their first place league position. The awkward playing surface did not provide optimal conditions for a skillful game. Nevertheless, both teams were able to conjure up some exciting moments in a clash that was ultimately decided by a single goal mid-way through the second half.
State Cup | MAPS Team Shuts Out Hawthorns
10/2/10 — The Hawthorns produced their strongest performance of the season in this entertaining State Cup clash with STA Spirit from Morristown, but it was not enough to overcome their quick and well organized opponents from the MAPS league. Despite good scoring opportunities at both ends of the field, the two teams remained deadlocked until late in the first half. A couple of simultaneous defensive lapses gave STA a clear cut chance to take the lead, and the home side took it well. The academy team then added a second goal after the break and, although the Hawthorns applied plenty of pressure in an effort to claw the game back, they were unable to find the net. The 2-0 loss—the Hawthorns’ first defeat of the season—was of course disappointing, but the level of commitment and the quality of play certainly were not.
Parsippany Hawthorns 2, Monroe Purple Storm 1
9/26/10 — Despite a more feisty performance from the Hawthorns than we saw in their league opener, there was an unquestionable feeling that the team still has more to offer. The girls hustled more urgently in this encounter than they did last week, and they frequently managed to work their way to the perimeter of the visitors’ 18-yard box. Once they had broken into the danger zone, however, the Parsippany team was not ruthless enough, squandering some good opportunities to put this game out of reach. At the other end of the field, despite conceding a goal for the first time this season, the Hawthorns’ defense was generally composed, and responded effectively to a number of surging attacks by Monroe.
Westfield Wizards 0, Parsippany Hawthorns 1
9/19/10 — The Hawthorns’ first league game started brightly with some crisp passing and several early goalscoring opportunities. Shortly after the 10-minute mark, the two Parsippany strikers combined well to break away from the Westfield defense. The Westfield goalkeeper was able to parry the resulting shot, but the rebound was struck neatly into the back of the net to put the visitors ahead. After that goal, the play became more scrappy. The Hawthorns managed to engineer a number of chances to increase their lead, and the hosts’ determination earned them a late penalty kick. But in the end, one goal was enough to enable the Hawthorns to return home with maximum points.
Hawthorns Display Strong Teamwork to Lift Essex Trophy
9/11-12/10 — The Parsippany Hawthorns got the new season off to a flying start by taking first place in the Essex Fall Tune-Up tournament. Three shut-out wins in the first round over Livingstone Lady Lions (3-0), Cougar Fire (4-0), and Verona Velocity (7-0) set up a cup final showdown against the West Orange Comets. The two finalists played out a tense goalless first half in the rain, before the Hawthorns struck twice in the second period to clinch victory. Parsippany’s success at this tournament was a result of cohesive teamwork in all areas of the field. The defense remained focused and disciplined for more than three hours of soccer to ensure that the Hawthorns’ goal was never breached, while, at the other end of the field, several different players contributed to the 16-goal tally. There is no doubt that the Hawthorns still have plenty of work ahead as they embark on a tough Fall campaign in Flight 2 of the Mid-New Jersey League, but wining this tournament provided the team with the best possible start to the season.
1 Team, 10 Games, 0 Defeats
6/3/10 — The Hawthorns closed out their Spring season undefeated, with a 4-0 victory over Franklin Township Tornadoes. Five of the Parsippany team’s games were shut-outs and six of their eight wins were by a margin of three goals or more. Yet the enduring feature of the campaign, beyond the scorelines, is one of a unified team. One visiting parent remarked after last night’s game: “Congratulations, that team is awesome — you can tell they have been together for a long time.” The emphasis was on together. It is clear, apparently, even to somebody watching one of their more mediocre performances, that the Hawthorns play as one cohesive unit, frequently looking for each other and, when they are at their best, finding each other.
HAWTHORNS HEADLINES !
In the Hawthorns’ Flight 1 debut at Livingston, the girls did a lot of things right, and the 0-0 scoreline at half-time felt like a fair reflection of the balance of play. At several moments I was delighted to see the girls attempt to execute movement and passes that we have talked about and worked on over the Winter. Excellence begins with those efforts, and it will gradually emerge from persistence.
On several occasions throughout the game, we were able to create openings behind the Livingston defense, and against previous opponents we would have expected to be rewarded with shots on goal. At this level, however, our breakthroughs were stifled by the hosts’ ability to quickly react when their defense was breached. This is the kind of capability that we have not really seen before, and which we should expect to confront us every week.
Even at the professional level, it is often possible to debate a referee’s decision at crucial turning points in the game. But the direct free-kick awarded to Livingston early in the second half did not seem unreasonable, and when a 10-year-old girl can arch the ball so precisely into the top corner of the net from 20 yards away, it is difficult to say that she does not deserve a goal for her efforts!
After Livingston had taken the lead, there were a few times when it seemed as though the Hawthorns might level the scores. But total commitment to offence — and to finding a tying goal in the closing minutes — left us too short-handed at the back. Again, in the past we probably would have got away with taking off a defender in favor of an extra striker. That substitution, however, left a gap in our back-line, and we are now sharing the field with teams who are just waiting to pounce on gaps!
Branchburg Breakaway 1
Parsippany Hawthorns 1
Branchburg finished the Fall season in second place in Flight 1, so we travelled there knowing that they would provide the Hawthorns with another very tough test. But once again, the Parsippany team rose to the occasion. The deadlock was not broken until early in the second half, when the Hawthorns’ hard work was finally rewarded. Growing in confidence, the Flight 1 newcomers came close to striking again as the game wore on. But it was the hosts who found the net with a well taken shot that once again illustrated the firepower that will face us at this level.
Livingston Lady Lightning 2, Parsippany Hawthorns 0
PIcture courtesy of Mia's Mom.... Thanks!
2010
Oceanport Lady Knights 2, Parsippany Hawthorns 0
An unfocused performance saw the Hawthorns toppled by Oceanport in a game that requires little in-depth analysis — although the Parsippany team had plenty of possession and showed some good moves at times, they simply made too many mistakes at the back and created too few opportunities up-front.
After being shut-out by Livingston in their Flight 1 debut, the Hawthorns started the return encounter explosively. They split open the visitors’ defense several times in the opening 15 minutes, before finding the net for what would prove to be the decisive strike. There is no question that Lady Luck played a small part in the goal, but the hard work, creativity, and determination displayed by the Hawthorns throughout this very tough battle were surely deserving of a little good fortune.
Parsippany Hawthorns 1, Livingston Lady Lightning 0
Drab Tie Followed by Mother’s Day Thriller
Parsippany Hawthorns 0, SPF Freedom 0
Cranford Hawks 3, Parsippany Hawthorns 3
After a two-week break the Hawthorns struggled to find their rhythm on Saturday morning, grinding out an uneventful 0-0 tie with Scotch Plains. But the Parsippany girls were firing on all cylinders on Mother’s Day when they traveled to Cranford to face the Flight 1 leaders. The Hawthorns were first to get onto the scoreboard in a thrilling end-to-end goalfest, and they came close to extending their lead just moments later. Both teams squandered some easy scoring opportunities, but together they still managed to entertain the spectators with some high-quality soccer and a total of six goals.
2011 SPRING
2011 FALL
The Hawthorns burst out of the starting gate for their opening encounter of the new season — drilling 4 goals past a Bloomfield team that had only given up a total of 6 goals during their entire Spring campaign. The Parsippany defense looked as solid as ever at this year’s annual Piscataway Fall Classic, the midfield was energetic and organized, and the forwards were constantly menacing.
The meeting with old friends Monroe had a familiar flow. Despite periods of intense pressure, the Hawthorns just couldn’t find the net, and the game ended in a 0-0 stalemate. Sunday morning’s encounter with Metuchen provided an opportunity to experiment a little, while still notching a 3-0 win — the third Parsippany shut-out in successive games.
That left the Hawthorns to close out their weekend against Flight 1 rivals, Cranford. Both teams were creative and made a number of good opportunities. But both were also determined at the back, and a single well struck shot that found the roof of the Parsippany net was enough to take the first-place trophy to Cranford.
Many of the moves that the girls worked on during boot camp surfaced over the course of the weekend, the new faces began to settle in and show flashes of what they will bring to the team, and, overall, there was a more vibrant feel to the Hawthorns’ play. All of the signs indicate that the coming season will be even more exciting than last year’s campaign. So bring your chairs to the games early to make sure that you get a good spot, and prepare to be on the edge of them until the final whistle!
Fall 2011 Season Kicks-Off with Strong Performances by New-Look Hawthorns
State Cup Heartbreak
Parsippany Hawthorns 0, Torpedoes 2
The Hawthorns gave 100% in an effort to get past a very fast and skillful Torpedoes team in this year’s State Cup, only to see the opportunity slip away in the closing stages. For more than 50 minutes, the Parsippany defense absorbed long periods of pressure, while threatening on the counterattack. But with only 8 minutes remaining, the Wykoff forwards pounced on an uncharacteristic defensive error to take the lead. In State Cup, the score is almost irrelevant — the winner advances, the losing team does not. So the Hawthorns had no option but to throw everything into attack in search of an equalizer. And they might have been rewarded, but a close range opportunity was squandered. With the Parsippany defense short-handed at the back, the Torpedoes were able to ensure the outcome with a second goal in the dying seconds.
League Campaign Kicks-Off with Point for Hawthorns
Parsippany Hawthorns 2, Scotch Plains 2
Once again, the Hawthorns enjoyed most of the territorial advantage in their opening league game, but failed to turn enough of the opportunities into goals. Scotch Plains took the lead against the run of play, but the Parsippany team reversed the advantage just before the break with a perfectly struck shot from the edge of the 18-yard box, followed by a spectacular volley from some distance. Scotch Plains once again made the most of their opportunities in the second half to steal an equalizer, while the Hawthorns did not capitalize on numerous chances to turn their possession into further goals.
Gritty Hawthorns Present United Front at Long Branch
Oceanport/Long Branch 1, Parsippany Hawthorns 1
Last season’s trip to Long Branch ended in disappointment for the Hawthorns. This time around, however, the outcome was much more satisfying. The hosts were a physically imposing team! Yet the Parsippany girls made themselves big by playing as a unit — supporting each other and looking for players in open space — in what was one of their grittiest performances to date. The first half provided an impressive display of high-caliber soccer. OLSA took the lead with a well-struck shot from around 20 yards, but the Hawthorns leveled before the break with the two forwards combining effectively to put pressure on the host defense and goalie. The second period was a more scrappy affair during which both teams battled vigorously in the middle of the park and demonstrated solid defensive capabilities at the back.
Thrills at the Hills
Hawthorns in Exciting Final at Columbus Day Tournament
October 8-9 — The Hawthorns made hard work of their first round games at this year’s Pride Invitational, but they did manage to edge their way into the final at the Parsippany Hills complex. There they faced the Brooklyn Patriots, who had drilled a total of 18 goals past their three first round opponents! On paper, the encounter looked as though it might be a mere formality for the New York team. And indeed, the Patriots managed to surge to a 2-0 lead by half-time. However, the Hawthorns were resolved to battle until the final whistle, and the second half proved to be an absolutely electrifying encounter during which the Parsippany girls managed to reduce the gap to just one goal. In the end, they simply could not find the equalizer and had to settle for the runner-up trophy — and the satisfaction of having produced a spectacular display of soccer against an impressive opponent.
Hawthorns Return to Winning Ways
Scotch Plains 1, Parsippany Hawthorns 2
October 23 — Despite falling behind to an early goal, the Hawthorns bounced back to take both points from this important clash at Scotch Plains. On what felt like a very large field, the Parsippany girls’ put together several strings of accurate passes that enabled them to use the space to their benefit. At the mid-point of the season, the Hawthorns’ league record now stands at exactly 50%, with one win, one loss, and three ties.
First League Defeat for Hawthorns
Cranford 3, Parsippany Hawthorns 2
October 16 — For the second time in successive seasons, the Hawthorns’ visit to Cranford produced an uncharacteristically high-scoring game. Although the Parsippany girls got off to a bright start, some costly errors during the second half saw them record their first league defeat of the season.
DID YOU SEE THAT!!!!
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A TEAM THAT SITS TOGETHER.......STAYS TOGETHER!
Best and Worst of Hawthorns Seen Over Weekend
Parsippany Hawthorns 0, Branchburg 2
Livingston 1, Parsippany Hawthorns 3
November 5-6 — After a bright opening first half at home to Branchburg on Saturday morning, the Hawthorns turned in an uncharacteristically clumsy second period, during which they leaked two goals without reply. But the Parsippany girls bounced back on Sunday at Livingston. They were more determined in competing for the ball and more controlled in their passing. As a result, the Hawthorns were able to play much of the game in their opponents’ end of the field, and three impressive strikes ensured that they came away with both points.
Strong Ending to Fall Season
Parsippany Hawthorns 2, Oceanport/Long Branch 2
Parsippany Hawthorns 2, Cranford 2
November 19-20 — The Hawthorns closed out their Fall season with games against the league’s top two teams. A thrilling Saturday evening battle with first-place Oceanport/Long Branch saw the Parsippany girls surge into an early lead. But both teams were in an attacking mood, and after a total of four goals had been struck, the two sides each had to settle for a share of the spoils. On Sunday, it was the Hawthorns who got on the scoreboard first once again, only to fall behind, and then draw level towards the end. These two results ensure that the Parsippany girls end their Flight 1 season with a precise 50% record — 2 wins, 2 losses, and 6 ties. They sit behind Oceanport/Long Branch, Cranford, and Branchburg in the standings, but comfortably ahead of Scotch Plains and Livingston.
Hawthorns Take Point at Branchburg
Branchburg 1, Parsippany Hawthorns 1
November 13 — Just one week after their disappointing loss to Branchburg, the Hawthorns seemed determined to erase that blemish on this season’s record. They got off to a vigorous start with a well taken goal, but allowed the hosts back into the game before the break. Although neither side was able to find the net during the second half, for the Parsippany girls, the performance was certainly a more satisfying one than the previous encounter.
