There's still no stopping Lenape

Entering the season, there were several questions concerning the Lenape girls' soccer team, with the leading one pertaining to offense.

That there were several questions might seem odd since the Indians have been state champions and The Inquirer's No. 1 ranked team in each of the previous seasons.

Yet with serious losses to graduation and with the team having to play without all-South Jersey forward Katie Rigby, who is out for the year with a knee injury, Lenape faced more doubt entering the season than in the previous three.

And while three games don't make a season, scoring might not be that much of a problem for the Indians, who continued their quick start with Tuesday's 3-0 win over visiting Bishop Eustace.

Ranked No. 1 in South Jersey by The Inquirer, Lenape is 3-0 and has beaten Toms River North, No. 7 Washington Township and No. 5 Eustace by a combined 10-1 score.

There would have been even more scoring had Eustace goalie Amy-Lynn Friel not made a series of outstanding saves.

"We have a reputation to maintain, and the older players feel it's our time to step up," said junior midfielder Courtney Kovac, who scored twice, including the opening goal in the seventh minute on a nice header.

Lenape also received a goal from Tori Prager, on a blast in the 53d minute from outside the box.

Energetic junior twin midfielders Emmy and Lizzie Duffey had two assists and one assist, respectively.

Yet the player who had the biggest impact didn't hit the stat sheet.

That would be freshman forward-midfielder Kate Walters, who looked like the best player on the field, which considering the talent on display, was saying something.

Walters has an affinity for taking it to opponents, which puts so much pressure on defenses, and she doesn't hold the ball too long.

"She is a natural goal scorer who is very composed with the ball," Lenape coach Kevin Meder said.

Walters, who has three goals this year, has played on a high club level, so she hasn't been overwhelmed by competing in high school, even for a three-time state champion that has high expectations once again.

"Everybody has been so good to me and so supportive," Walters said.

"They have depth, speed, are skilled and can wear teams down," said Eustace coach Andrew Schmitt, whose other loss was to No. 2 Eastern, 1-0.

Meder says he likes the direction his team is going in, but adds that there is plenty of work to do.

Still, for a team with so many new players, this looks a lot like the same old Lenape.

Bishop Eustace   0 0 – 0

Lenape   1 2 – 3

Goals: L-Courtney Kovac 2, Tori Prager.

Saves: L-Allison Johnson 5; B-Amy-Lynn Friel 10.