Hustle Heroes: These North Jersey girls soccer players go the extra mile

Coaches love them. Teammates look up to them. But the box score doesn't always do them justice.

These are the North Jersey girls soccer players who win games beyond just scoring. They're the ones who fight for 50/50 balls, set an example at practice and take on new roles for the good of the team.

Alana Anton

Passaic Tech senior

The Hawthorne native has started since her freshman year and is known for encouraging teammates on and off the field. She captains the Bulldogs from the centerback position and also competes in lacrosse and flag football.

"She is gritty and physical, no fear," coach Caitlin Kiernan said. "Loves to direct her team and if the ball is in the air, she will get her head on it."

Andrea Blandon

Ridgefield Park senior

Scarlets coach Amanda Lax called Blandon one of the toughest athletes she's seen in her 12-year career after watching Blandon play hurt in an upset win last Monday. A high IQ player, Blandon has started all four years and played four different positions. The captain is often used as an example for what to do and how to do it.

"As a coach, for any sport, you'd take 20 Andreas," Lax said. "She is coachable, respectful, and always the hardest worker on the field."

Evelia Contreras

Mary Help of Christians senior

Some teams leave the grunt jobs to the freshmen. Contreras takes them on herself, making sure to load the equipment onto the bus or lend a hand to set up practice. She's a four-year player who's the first to arrive and the last to leave.

"When not in the game, she volunteers to be a ball runner," coach Ken Van Rye said. "Evelia is always seen helping underclassmen or comforting a player who might've made a mistake."

Stella DelSordo

Immaculate Heart senior

Blue Eagles coach Eric Pfeifer calls the Muhlenberg commit an irreplaceable player for her work at holding mid. She is key to breaking up counterattacks and serves as an option if IHA needs to switch the field. DelSordo is more of an attacking player on the club level, but learned to adapt her game to suit IHA.

"You'll never find her on the stat sheet because she's busy winning 50-50's and passing the ball along to others to attack," Pfeifer said.

Blake Gelenius

Saddle Brook sophomore

Gelenius has emerged as a impact player on defense after making some starts sporadically as a freshman. At centerback, she's shown the ability to start up a counter with two goals and an assist this season.

"Her knowledge of the game, tenacity, and ambition is truly a force on this team," coach Deandra Donato said.

Elly Ho

Old Tappan senior

Ho isn't the biggest player on the field, but her fearless attitude has won the respect of her coach. She's in her third year on varsity and works well on corners as an outside mid.

"She is the definition of a player who works hard no matter the competition," coach Laela Henriquez said. "Elly helps our midfield with her speed and connecting passes to help our offense."

Kaitlyn Kelly

Mahwah senior

In her four years on varsity, Kelly has played every position but goalie. She started as a forward her freshman year, slid back to midfield later in her career and didn't blink an eye when her coach spoke to her about moving to defense as a senior. Now, the Thunderbirds captain sets a tone at centerback and outside back.

"It doesn't matter if it is practice or a game, she is the first to sweat because her effort and intensity doesn't ever drop off," coach Allie Graff said. "She takes no days off."

Mackenzie MacGregor

Wayne Valley senior

MacGregor is a defensive midfielder who's counted on to slow down the opposition and make connections between the defense and forward line. She's started for the past two years and got some time as a sophomore during the Indians' state title run. This fall, she is joined in the midfield by her younger sister Sophia.

"Mackenzie's leadership has been key to helping Sophia, as well as the other freshmen on our roster, to fit in seamlessly," coach Kathleen Sinram said.

Abigail McManus

Park Ridge senior

McManus has been one of the steadying forces on a team that's been without three to four starters at times this season. This year, she moved from forward to centerback out of necessity and did so without complaint. Coach Dylan Evans noted that her work ethic helped speed up the learning process.

"She uses her body really well, consistently winning 50/50 balls as well as being a threat on corners and free kicks with her ability to score using her head," Evans said.

Cadence O'Hagan

Hawthorne senior

The small but mighty O'Hagan stepped out of her comfort zone as a sophomore by moving to defense. Since then, she's turned into one of the Bears' most consistent players, holding opponents to three goals in the first seven games this year. New coach Jenny Charles likes the fact that her energy and positive attitude help bring the team together.

"She is aggressive, has an incredibly high work rate, and her ability to see the field, step to the ball, and slow the attack is done so at a high level," Charles said.

Lia Russo

Wood-Ridge/Wallington sophomore

Russo, a.k.a. Biscuits, has been a lifesaver for a team that's gone into a few matches with only 10 players. She switched over to centerback in a win over Lodi and was asked to be the goalie before boarding the bus one game. On offense, she's picked up four goals and three assists.

"We would be lost without Lia," coach Jerry Cala said. "She is a 'yes coach, whatever you need coach,' type of player."

Victoria Sabatelli

Lakeland senior

Sabatelli keeps a busy schedule between soccer, wrestling and softball. She's one of two captains for the Lancers this year and solidifies their back line. Coach Chris Chouljian said Sabatelli has aspirations of joining the Army.

"She is always assisting the underclassmen on any of our three teams to help build future defenders for our program," Chouljian said.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NJ girls soccer: These North Jersey players go the extra mile