The Alternative Press

BERKELEY HEIGHTS, NJ - Sophomore forward Julia Stirpe tallied two goals and an assist to lead the Governor Livingston High School Highlanders over the New Providence Pioneers, 5-1, in Tuesday's non-conference girl's varsity soccer match.

The Highlanders improved to 9-3 but still trail Cranford and West Morris for first place in the Union County Interscholastic Athletic Conference.

Governor Livingston never trailed in Tuesday's match. Stirpe put the team on the board early when she converted on a penalty kick after being taken down in the offensive box.

Several minutes later, the Highlanders struck again when Lauren Jankowski's corner kick went through a crowd of defenders and off Stirpe's chest for her second goal of the half.

"Julia (Stirpe)  has been a pleasant surprise since she entered the program last year," Governor Livingston head coach Mike Roof said. "She's added certain little things to her game, like chesting the ball down.  She's not afraid to make mistakes or chances or take opportunities that some people wouldn't do... She's getting smarter and smarter the more she plays. You can see it in her decision making."

Despite the two goal lead, New Providence battled back in the later stages of the first half.

After being denied on their first corner kick, Casey Trezza found the back of the net after being awarded a penalty kick for a handball in the box, cutting the Governor Livingston advantage to 2-1 going into halftime.

Following the break, the Highlanders played "the best 15-20 minutes of the season," according to Roof, scoring three goals during the stretch to put the match out of reach.

"We reacted the better of the team teams to start the second half," Roof said.  "The first twenty minutes, what we did, I don't think I've seen that the entire season so far."

Jankowski struck first on a laser from 30 yards out. Her goal was followed quickly with another tally from Lindsay Distaso.

Jenn French sealed the game after receiving the pass from Stirpe through the offensive zone to give the Highlanders the 5-1 lead.

Governor Livingston remains home to face Kent on Thursday, before heading to second place Cranford on Monday night.