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Health & Fitness

Oak Knoll Juniors Earn Soccer Accolades

Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child congratulates two junior members of the varsity soccer team who recently earned recognition by two coaches associations.

Morgan Ryan of Maplewood was recognized by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) as a Regional All-American and named by the New Jersey Girls Soccer Coach Association (NJGSCA) to the All-State Top 20 team. These elite awards are earned by attaining votes of member coaches. In 2013, Morgan was also named to the All-Union County First Team by The Star Ledger. Morgan began her Oak Knoll varsity soccer career as a freshman at center midfield and has started every game since, earning MVP status all three seasons.

“She scores crucial goals at key times and sets up goals for her teammates as well," said Jonah Silk, varsity soccer coach. “She enables our team to hang with and compete against anybody in the state. Certainly one of the most special athletes Oak Knoll has ever had.”

Teammate and classmate Melissa Dunn of Summit received sectional recognition by the NJGSCA. Melissa has also started every varsity game since her first as a freshman as center back. “We would be in a lot of trouble the past three seasons without her expertise and experience anchoring our young defensive back line," said Coach Silk. “She is disciplined, focused, extremely mature, and is my organizer on the field. One of the smartest and most coachable players I have ever worked with.”

Coach Silk added, “These are very impressive awards…both players were leaders even as underclassmen; the other girls look up to them as athletes and as strong young women. Hard work and loyalty to their program, their school, and their sport has now given them both some extremely honorable awards."

Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child is an independent Catholic school enrolling boys and girls in kindergarten through grade six; and young women only in grades seven through 12.  For more information about Oak Knoll, please visit www.oakknoll.org or call 908-522-8109.
 
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