MOUNTAIN LAKES — Anna Gominiak found out she was the Morris County coaches' Player of the Year shortly after Madison defended its NJSIAA North 2, Group 2 title. Though Gominiak had converted a penalty kick to help win that match, and led the Dodgers in scoring for the second year in a row, she was "really surprised and honored."
Gominiak was formally recognized at the Morris County luncheon on Dec. 9, along with the rest of the first and second team. A four-year starter in Madison's midfield, Gominiak is heading to Dartmouth, where she plans to continue to play soccer.
"To step up to first team and get Player of the Year was a really big accomplishment," said Gominiak, who had gotten home from a soccer tournament in California with STA at about 2 a.m. She thanked her coaches, teammates, opponents, parents and older sister Alexis.
"I'm humbled and honored to accept this award. I will continue to keep pushing and battling to become the best version of myself."
The Morris County Girls Soccer Coaches Association also named its Coach of the Year and recognized other honorees.
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? Anthony Correale, who led Chatham to four straight Morris County Tournament and North 2, Group 3 titles, and two overall Group 3 championships during his four years at the helm, received "a tip of the hat" from his peers, according to the association's president, Marc Dovico.
Dovico, the Madison coach, presented the awards to both Correale and Gominiak.
"I had the opportunity to coach in this amazing county, to coach some amazing girls right here, and against these amazing girls," Correale said. "Any coach who wins this award, it's impossible to win it without each other. It pushes me to work harder, study more. I want to give a big shoutout to everyone in this room, because no one sees the extra hours you put in. We do this as a hobby, because we love it. I really tip my hat to all of you, and all the girls in this room."
Morris County produced five sectional finalists, four champions – Madison, Chatham, Pequannock and Morris Knolls – and Chatham as the overall Group 3 champion.
"Everybody here's got talent. Everybody here's got work ethic," West Morris coach Ken Rossi said. "It's no secret, when I watch you play, that you busted your butt at some point: physically, mentally, emotionally. ... Everybody here is my inspiration. I admire the way you carry yourself, the way you play, the way you represent your team."
? Pequannock senior Caitlin Zegler received the inaugural "More than a Player" scholarship. The president of her class, Zegler also led the Golden Panthers with 26 goals and 10 assists en route to the North 1, Group 1 title.
Tara Madigan, who led Northern Highlands to a 384-55-12 record, including 12 sectional and seven Group 3 titles over 20 years, gave a feminist keynote. She pointed out myriad ways girls and women show strength and leadership, and encouraged the players to have a broader impact.
"You're not just here to fit into old structures. You're here to design new ones," Madigan said. "Female athletes don't just break ceilings anymore. You build new rooms."
First team
Anastasia Showler-Little, Boonton junior; Alex Donoghue, Chatham senior; Lucy Arps, Chatham sophomore; Amanda Thornton, Chatham senior; Anna Gominiak, Madison senior; Kate Reigle, Madison senior; Karolina Bodyziak, Montville sophomore; Avery Arcaro, Montville senior; Julianna Critchley, Morris Knolls senior; Maggie Krasnomowitz, Morris Knolls senior; Ashton Parker, Mountain Lakes junior; Carlie Wysocki, Randolph senior; Amiyah Soto, Randolph junior; Lulu Wenger, Randolph senior; Dana Cozza, Randolph sophomore; Maddy Anderson, Roxbury senior; Ara Ameri, Roxbury junior; Logan Knapp, Roxbury junior; Alanna Vieira, West Morris junior; Alexa Bowe, Whippany Park
Second team
Charlotte Nelson, Chatham sophomore; Leah Tapper, Chatham senior; Gabriela Markwell, Chatham senior; Sydney Shepard, Hanover Park senior; Camryn Visich, Madison junior; Kate Mack, Madison senior; Zoe Valianatos, Mendham sophomore; Maeve Robbins, Mendham junior; Alaina Berkowitz, Montville senior; Zara Serukur, Montville junior; Emma Dirmann, Morris Knolls senior; Shea Sutter, Mountain Lakes junior; Kristine Squeglia, Mountain Lakes senior; Katelyn Molina, Mount Olive freshman; Caitlin Zegler, Pequannock senior; Emily Zegler, Pequannock senior; Macie Wysocki, Randolph sophomore; Pia DiGregorio, Randolph senior; Georgia Hostler, West Morris junior; Kaylee Vieira, West Morris junior; Caroline Sardeira, West Morris sophomore
Third team
Eliana Chavarria, Butler; Michelle Alvarez, Dover; Olivia Franco, Hanover Park; Josie Myers, Jefferson; Kelly Donaldson, Kinnelon; Olivia Kurzecki, Kinnelon; Sydney Kukan, Mendham; Faith Bode, Morris Hills; Tariyana Sango, Morris Knolls; Lydia Uhlman, Morris Tech; Gianna Laratta, Morristown; Addison Emge, Morristown; Caitlin Carr, Morristown Beard; Olivia Smith, Parsippany Hills; Audra Crane, Parsippany Hills; Jane Anderson, Villa Walsh; Kaylee Bascom; Villa Walsh
Honorable mention
Rebecca Johnson, Boonton; Alexis Visioli, Boonton; Mariana Montoya, Dover; Leandra Alfaro, Boonton; Andrea DiSessa, Hanover Park; Tory Henning, Hanover Park; Eelana Walters, Jefferson; Gwen Silipena, Jefferson; Taylor Mulch, Kinnelon; Madison Gigante; Jefferson; Sammy Nielsen, Madison; Mariella Canino, Mendham; Chloe Fitzpatrick, Mendham; Marli Nekich, Morris Hills; Emily Jennings, Morris Hills; Alexa Grazioli, Morris Knolls; Tessa Simone, Morris Knolls; Julia Kass, Morris Tech; Annabella Romeo, Morris Tech; Catalina Mangone, Mount Olive; Alexa Smith, Mount Olive; Lindsay Park, Mountain Lakes; Samantha Trimble, Mountain Lakes; Sofia Cascio, Parsippany; Charlotte Inauen, Parsippany; Ewa Amourgianos, Parsippany Hills; Michella Campos, Parsippany Hills; Delaney Opper, Roxbury; Ashlee Martin, Villa Walsh; Grace Boler, Villa Walsh; Mia Marinelli, West Morris; Ella Fuller, West Morris; Ella DiCostanzo, Whippany Park; Nicolette Liloia, Whippany Park