Monica Curry was a little embarrassed and very relieved.
A Vernon sophomore, Curry scored her 74th goal to break the all-time record on an indirect kick about three minutes into the 6-2 home victory against Boonton on Oct. 17.
But she really didn’t want to talk about it. Instead, Curry, who has been playing soccer since kindergarten, was focused on getting Vernon another victory.
But her sister, freshman defender Vanessa Curry, and the rest of the Vikings had been plotting a celebration for about two weeks. They knew about the record all season, and set up a group text without Monica to make plans.
“It’s different,” Monica said after much prompting. “It’s exciting, putting my heart into the team. We’re all just working together. I just want to win.”
Lee Ann (Wyble) Best had 73 goals and 34 assists in 63 matches when she graduated from Vernon in 1992.
Curry already broke her single-season record with 33 goals as a freshman, notching seven hat tricks. The overall record fell in just 35 matches.
Already a member of the Sussex County Sports Hall of Fame, Best will be inducted into Vernon High School’s Hall of Fame on Oct. 21. She was on the Vikings’ first two SCIL soccer titles in 1990 and 1991, as well as a sectional title in ’91.
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Sports family
One of the other inductees is Susana Garcia Woods, Monica’s aunt and a former Vernon field hockey star.
The whole Curry family is planning to attend the Hall of Fame ceremony.
Dad Mike Curry played football and basketball at Vernon. Mom Alicia (Garcia) Curry played field hockey, basketball and softball, but when she tried to coax Monica onto the middle school field hockey team, it was clear her daughter’s heart already belonged to soccer.
An attacking midfielder for her club, Monica – called “Moni” by friends and family – has transformed herself into a scorer because that’s what the Vikings needed.
“To have an opportunity to be part of her story and her journey is so cool. It’s surreal,” said Vernon coach Casey Jacoby, whose family has deep roots in the school district. “I don’t even know how to explain it, because you don’t ever expect to see anything like this. She’s a special talent. You can’t compare it to anything.”
Composed on the ball and calm under pressure, Curry started the season with seven straight hat tricks. She has multiple goals in all but one Vernon match in which the team has gotten on the scoreboard. The Vikings were shut out by Sparta, 6-0, on Oct. 9 for their only loss. The only other blemish is a 5-5 draw with Warren Hills on Sept. 23.
Vernon is the undefeated leader in the NJAC-Colonial.
Curry has 43 goals and nine assists, both team highs.
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Sister, Sister
Monica and Vanessa Curry played very competitive games using the outside their house, often ending with the loser in tears. Vanessa said if she ever won, Monica would make the sisters play again and again until the result was different.
Monica Curry started playing on a Vernon Youth Soccer travel team in kindergarten, coached by defensive midfielder Reese Hamilton’s dad, Ken. Her schedule expanded in third grade, when she joined Force FC in Monroe, New York. Curry, Hamilton and Vernon center back Sophia Haw have played together ever since.
Curry played alongside most of her current high school teammates with Vernon travel until they moved up to high school while she was still in eighth grade.
“She’s such a good player because she does it for the team, not just for herself,” said Vanessa Curry, who was able to play with her sister starting in seventh grade.
“It’s fun always cheering her on and seeing what she can do. She’s always cheering everyone else on.”
Jane Havsy is a multimedia journalist for DailyRecord.com, part of the USA TODAY NETWORK. For full access to live scores, breaking news and analysis, subscribe today.
Email: JHavsy@gannett.com Twitter: @dailyrecordspts
