LINWOOD — The Mainland Regional High School girls soccer team had Ocean City pinned back in its own half for most of the game but failed to capitalize on its many chances until late in the contest Oct. 1.
With 3:52 remaining, Mustang senior Emma Preissman received the ball from senior teammate Maddie Taylor at the corner of the 18-yard box and fired it over the head of Red Raider goaltender Madi Adams and just under the crossbar into the net to win the game 1-0.
It was the Linwood resident’s fourth goal of the season and second in two games to go along with 2 assists. Taylor now has 4 assists.
“So that seems to be the shot now, because against AP Schalick (Sept. 29), I had the same exact position and place, and I made it the same way,” Preissman said. “I was really excited because we were down to crunch time and to make that shot, that really sealed the deal.”
The midfielder said she was man-marked in the first half and had difficulty getting the ball “but our midfield really controlled the field and Maddie Taylor, we couldn’t have done it without her.”
Mainland controlled possession throughout much of the game, sending most of the players across midfield on a regular basis. When Ocean City did get possession, speedy midfielder Savannah Rhubart (3 goals) darted downfield but a strong defense of center back Addie Pepper and outside backs Lacey Wagner and Maddie Meade kept her and her teammates from getting a lot of good looks on net.
“The girls worked really well together. It was a good team effort, I thought,” head coach Fred Napoli said. “The defense played good, they played hard, and we were creating opportunities.”
The Mustangs had multiple shots from leading scorer Emma Tenaglia (7 goals, 2 assists) and freshman Nola Person (4 goals) that were turned away by Adams, a sophomore who has shared time in net with junior Callie Erney.
“I thought it was just a matter of time, but they’re a hard team, they’re a tough team. They play hard,” Napoli said.
Preissman said Person has been a great addition to the team.
“She is doing phenomenal this season, scored multiple goals. She’s amazing with her feet, can play the ball really well,” she said.
The Mustangs improved to 6-2 overall, 4-2 in the Cape-Atlantic League American Division, while the Raiders fell to 6-5-1 overall, 6-2 in the CAL American Division.
Mainland ended a losing streak to Ocean City of at least five games dating back to 2023. The latest was a 2-1 result Sept. 8 on the island.
“It’s always a rivalry, they always play physical. They always play hard. And it was a good high school soccer game I thought today,” Napoli said.
Led by junior Riley Townsend between the posts, the Mustangs now have five shutouts this season, topping Millville 5-0, Vineland 3-0, Middle Township 6-0 and Schalick 2-0. Townsend has surrendered only 5 goals.
“She’s improving every day, and she’s becoming more of a soccer player, which is really nice to see,” Napoli said of Townsend. “And she’s taking a little bit more of a leadership role back there, which is really nice to see too. She’s demanding the ball, she’s organizing the kids, she’s becoming more part of the team.”
Mainland has goals from seven different players, including 3 from senior Savannah Jones and 2 from junior Reilly Nagle. Taylor and Maddie McBride have 1 each.
“I’m trying to coach that they use each other. And, you know, I think the nice thing about the team is we have a lot of girls that are scoring,” Napoli said. “It’s really nice to spread the ball around, get more people involved.”
Last season the girls were 12-7 in the regular season and lost to Toms River East in the first round of the NJSIAA South Jersey Group III playoffs.
The Mustangs defeated Our Lady of Mercy Academy on Oct. 3 beat Vineland on Oct. 6 to improved to 8-2. They are scheduled for a rematch with Egg Harbor Township, which topped Mainland 2-0 earlier in the season, at 4 p.m. Oct. 9.
Ocean City head coach Sean Matteo credited Mainland for playing well.
“That’s a really good Mainland team that’s better than we’ve seen,” Matteo said. “Fred’s doing a great job with them and they’re dangerous. When you have a girl like Emma Tenaglia — that’s only a junior, unfortunately — that can beat you and you put so much emphasis there, they still have playmakers elsewhere.”
The second-year coach said defense has been a struggle at times this season.
“I thought we played very well to limit a lot of their top girls. It’s unlucky that the one brilliant shot they got was the one that beat us,” Matteo said.
He said when the Raiders gained possession, they did not complete their chances.
“What matters is when you get it if you finish the opportunities you have. I don’t think we created enough and we’re still trying to find out who’s going to be our creator to get us the goals and they made the most of theirs,” Matteo said.
Freshman Mya Dever leads the team with 6 goals, 2 assists, followed by junior Emma Vince with 4 goals, 5 assists. Seniors Liv Adams and Gabby Cupit have 3 goals apiece.
Last season Ocean City was 20-5 in the regular season, losing 2-0 to Shawnee in the NJSIAA South Jersey Group III final.
The Red Raiders, now 7-5-1, lost to Eastern 1-0 Oct. 4 and then defeated Our Lady of Mercy Academy 3-2 on Oct. 6. The girls will host Vineland at 6 p.m. Oct. 9.
– STORY by CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff
– PHOTOS by DAVID NAHAN/Sentinel staff
