Jackson girls are confident that this is their time of year

The Jackson High School girls soccer team suffered its share of disappointing setbacks this season. Most recently, the Lady Jaguars dropped a 2-1 decision against Toms River South High School in the quarterfinals of the Shore Conference Tournament.

Despite a couple of heartbreaking losses, finishing the year with a record of 11-6-1 was good enough to qualify the Jags for the state tournament. Jackson, the No. 9 seed, squared off against No. 8 Rancocas Valley High School Tuesday afternoon in a first-round New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association Group IV state tournament game. Jackson coach Scott Baker was confident his team could put forth a solid showing at Rancocas Valley.

"I know that they are a pretty good club," Baker said. "I know a few coaches down in that area, and I asked about Rancocas. I know that they didn’t play in that strong of a conference. They’re talented in the midfield and up front. However, their defense is the area in which they are a little shaky. We need to keep the ball in their zone and create scoring chances."

However, scoring goals has been a problem for the Jags this season. Baker is hoping to get solid play in the midfield that will lead to a few scoring opportunities. And now that the state tournament represents a new season for Jackson, anything can happen, Baker said.

"Our focus for the entire season has been on the states," Baker said. "Not that our regular season games aren’t important. Every single game we play is important. We do our best all season long with the hopes of getting to the state tournament. We accomplished a goal that we set at the start of the year."

Jackson brought a few injuries into the Rancocas Valley game. Nicole Montegary, who has been sidelined the last three weeks with a knee injury, is back. Just how effective she would be was uncertain. In addition, the Jags had a few other minor, nagging injuries to deal with.

"We’re a little banged up," Baker admitted. "Having Nicole back is a plus for our team. I’m not sure if she is 100 percent, but even if she is 80 percent, she is going to help out." Montegary injured her knee in the Brick Memorial game. Earlier in the season, she suffered a broken nose.

"She is a tough kid," Baker said. "We really missed her when she was forced to sit out those couple of weeks. We’re happy she is back for the states."

The winner of the Jackson-Rancocas Valley game meets top-seeded Lenape. Last year Lenape shut out Jackson 5-0. Yet on any given day Baker believes the Jags can beat any team in the state.

"I truly believe we can play with just about any team in the tournament," Baker said. "On the flip side of that we can also lose to any team in the tournament. But if we come out and play the way we are capable of, I feel comfortable saying that we can hang with any club. We need to go out there with a positive focus."

In the season finale, Jackson edged Marlboro High School 2-1. Katie Batiuk, the team’s leading scorer, scored a pair of goals to lead the Jags.

"We sort of went in with a relaxed attitude," Baker said. "We had kids playing in different positions. We wanted them to have a chance to lighten the intensity level before the state tournament begins."

— Mike White