Montclair's Zinn Comes Up Big
In Leading Way To N1G4 Title

LIVINGSTON- When she has a few minutes for reflection away from what promises to be a busy next fall while establishing herself in a new role as a freshman for the University of Richmond's women's soccer team, Montclair's Morgane Zinn will be able to look back with pride when it comes to her positive impact on the young Mounties who will look to carry on the tradition of one of Essex County's more history-laden programs.

"The sophomores and a key freshman who strepped up for us this fall have been big contributors to our success," said the Mounties' senior star. "We had a nice bounce-back season this fall and our younger players really came through for us.

"Our soccer program has had some great teams and players through the years and these younger kids are going to help carry on that tradition."

Montclair's superb 2024 season was highlighted by last Thursday's 2-1 victory at top-seeded Livingston in the North 1, Group 4 state sectional final as Zinn scored both her team's goals as the second-seeded Mounties (17-5) gained redemption for two losses this season to the Lancers (17-4-1).

For her efforts, Montclair's 4-year varsity standout is the latest Parisi Fairfield/Sideline Chatter Athlete of the Week.

The Mounties' season ended on Monday (Nov. 18) with a 4-0 loss to a superb Westfield side in the Group 4 state semifinals at Fortunato Field in Montclair.

While Zinn's scholastic carer is now over, her imprint on the Mounties' proud girls soccer program will live on for years to come as she will be remembered as one of Montclair's best players in the sport's rich history.

And no Montclair fan will soon forget her performance in the Nov. 14th N1G4 final at The Jake.

Zinn tallied her second goal of the contest - and what proved to be the game-winner - in the 51st minute for a 2-1 lead.

Montclair junior standout Maya Barrett fed Zinn from 30 yards out and the senior moved quickly near the 18-yard area on the right side of the field.

Livingston's goalkeeper Antonia Giordano moved out as Zinn was racing with the ball down the right side. The Mountie senior leadersaw an opening and booted the ball to the left of Giordano.

”I was very happy to see her come out,” said Zinn "It made it easy for me and I kicked it to the left of her. I didn’t see it go in and just saw that it went past her.”

Zinn's heroics with what proved to be the winning goal did not surprise Montclair's interim head coach Dan Contreras who took charge of the team during the five games of the state tournament when the team's usual head coach Ashley Hammond was in Spain helping to organize and coach in the Cerebral Palsy World Cup.

“Morgan is a big-time player at a big-time moment,” said Contreras. “Mya is an unsung player throughout the season who can find the splits in the backline.”

Zinn would score what proved to be the game-winner in the 51st minute when she got behind the Lancers' defense once again and fired home a 20-yard blast from the right side for a 2-1 lead.

Her coach was very pleased that the Mounties had answered his rallying cry during the intermission.

"I had told the girls at halftime that we needed to get behind their back line and - all of a sudden - we have a girl (sophomore Pia Olkwoski) slip a pass in between and Morgan - being the terrific player and outstanding athlete that she is - was able to get behind them and with the goalie running woard her, then have a very composed finish," said Contreras. "After that we dropped her to her natural position at center back and from that point on we played to hold on to that one goal lead."

“After Morgane scored that second goal, we knew that we had to put her in the back and lock down on defense,” said junior captain and defender Carla Osborne. “It’s better safe than sorry. When it comes to desperate measures we needed to put her back there.”

Montclair's ability to withstand any further scoring attempts by the Lancers was enhanced with the fact the home team managed just one more corner kick in the final 40 minutes and a close-in direct kick also failed to create another dangerous situation in front of the Mounties' reliable junior goalkeeper Sophie Porter (seven saves).

The ever-present Osborne along with fellow junior Ella Overton and freshman Kaitlyn Moshovos have combined to be one of the better trio of backline defenders in the state. When Zinn drops back to center back the defense just becomes that more inpenetrable.

It's a Montclair team which has worked in a superb cast of young players into a successful mix this fall with the freshman Moshovos along with sophomores such as midfielder Deliah Nicoll and forwards Autumn Donegan and Raina Ali all providing strong play along with veteran seniors such as Zinn, midfielder Angie McGloughlin (University of Albany-bound) and forwards Cara Flynn (University of Vermont-bound) Anna Brower.

Zinn took her leadership role with a predominantly young team to heart in terms of preparation as well.

She took extra time to study the film of the ECT semifinal game when Montclair lost to the Lancers on penalty kicks after a 0-0 match through 100 minutes of soccer.

“I watched the (ECT) semifinal game and just realized that when we were first to every ball that was when we were on the attack,” she said. “I told all our girls that we need to be quicker and faster to get to the ball first.

"What was great to see is that our entire team responded to that message in a big way!"

Zinn got the Mounties on top early with a goal in the 10th minute of the match and with her clutch second half score she finishes the 2024 season as her team's leading scorer with 12 goals to go along with three assists.

A versatile talent who could seamlessly move back and forth between her natural center back position to then be a prime scoring threat at forward, Zinn had a career-high 15 goals and 7 assists as a sophomore for the 2022 Mounties who finished a solid 15-2-1, losing to West Orange, 1-0, in the N1G4 semifinals.

Sonia Neighbors, who currently plays for the University of Miami, scored a team-high 22 goals that season for the Mounties while Zinn provided a solid and very reliable second offensive threat up top.

Montclair, which won an overall Group 4 state championship in 2014, has also won state sectional titles in 2001, 2011, 2012, 2015 and 2019.

The 2020 team won a regional tourney crown during the covid-truncated season when there was no full NJSIAA state tourney.

For Zinn, who remembers being in the 8th grade when Montclair won a state sectional title in 2019, it was a matter of making sure that 2024 would not end without a win against Livingston.

"We were determined not to lose a third time to them this season," said the Mounties' leading scorer and hero of the Nov. 14th N1G4 final. "We have continued to gain more and more confidence as the season has progressed and today was a full team victory that we can enjoy before getting ready for Monday's next biggest game."

When all was said and done on Montclair's first NJSIAA state sectional title since 2019, a great deal of credit had to go to its senior leader and future Richmond Spider.

She will join a college roster at the Virginia school that featured 11 New Jersey players on the roster, including starters in senior defender Ellie Dzidzio of Pingry and graduate student Brigitte Bussiere, a midfielder and forward from Monroe Township.

The Spiders, who entered late-season action with an overall record of 4-10-3 while competing in the tough Atlantic 10 Conference, are guided by second-year head coach Adam Denton.

"I love the Richmond campus and I formed a great connection with the coaching staff," said Zinn, who said she has a strong interest in studying marketing in the Business school. "I'm looking forward to joining the team this summer and getting ready for next season."

Follow Steve Tober on Twitter @Chattermeister

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