High school rivals now finding themselves pushing each other
By tim morris
Staff Writer

CHRIS KELLY Randi Ginsberg and Jen Margolis are headed to Bucknell University together after spending the last four years as opponents on rival high school soccer teams.

Jen Margolis and Randi Ginsberg are helping each other get a leg up on their next challenge: Division I college soccer.

The one-time high school rivals (Margolis was a star forward for Manalapan High School, and Ginsberg, an outstanding marking back at Marlboro) will be teammates at Bucknell University in the fall. That has brought the two of them together, and now they are getting ready for college by training together, one day at Marlboro and the next at Manalapan.

"It benefits us both," Margolis said of the workouts. "It makes you get out there and do it just knowing you have someone else there to push you."

Ginsberg noted that, by working out together, each sees to it that neither is slacking off. There are no off days.

"It makes it so much easier having someone else to workout with," she said. "I hate running, and having someone to run with makes it less boring. We push each other."

Ginsberg added that they are a perfect mix. As a defender, she can help Margolis do some of the drills more familiar to her, while Margolis, an attacking player, can do likewise for her on the offensive end.

Before they became future Bison teammates, the high school stars were, at best, acquaintances. They knew each other in passing from Olympic Development Program tryouts and of course, as high school opponents. Manalapan and Marlboro are natural rivals and there is little time for friendship.

However, through their common interest in college, they have learned that they have far more in common than just soccer players. They have become good friends.

"I didn’t really know (Jen)," said Ginsberg. "I only knew her on the field.

"I’ve gotten to know her well and we’re a lot alike. We have the same interests. We’ve become friends."

Margolis found the same qualities in Marlboro rival.

"We get along very well," she said. "She’s very nice."

The two did have a healthy respect for each other as players and are happy to finally be on the same team together.

"It’s a nice relief not to be playing against her," noted Ginsberg. "She’s very, very fast and very good with her feet."

Margolis remembers Ginsberg as a tenacious defender.

"She’s a tough girl and always comes to play," she remarked.

It was Ginsberg, Margolis said, who helped her decide on going to Bucknell.

Ginsberg made her college decision be­fore the 2002 season even began.

"The first time I saw Bucknell I imme­diately knew that that’s where I wanted to be," she said.

When Bucknell began to express an in­terest in Margolis, she called Ginsberg.

"She’s the reason I’m going there," said Margolis. "I found it very nice when I vis­ited Buck­nell," she added. "It is a good competitive team."

Ginsberg remembers Margolis’ inquiry.

"She called me and asked me about the school," she noted. "She chose the school for itself. I just re-enforced what she thought."

Margolis and Ginsberg may have re­mained just acquaintances who now have the same college in common until their Bucknell University women’s soccer train­ing programs arrived. When they saw the thick booklet that contained drills and running and weight-lifting programs that they had to follow before joining the Bisons in August, it was overwhelming. It was then that they realized the best way to get through it was together. So they made the arrangements to work out together, al­ternating between high schools, and that has led to a friendship that will help them beyond the soccer field.

"College is a big adjustment and this makes it easier for us," said Margolis of the other aspect of her friendship with Ginsberg.

For both, playing college ball is the fulfillment of their long-time goals.

"I remember my freshman year, when coach (Rick) Garretson told me ‘you’ll play soccer in college,’ I said ‘not me,’ and he said ‘can you imagine not playing?’ I couldn’t think of such a possibility and it made me work hard."

College soccer is what Ginsberg has been playing for.

"I wanted to play college soccer so much," she said.

Bucknell will be getting two very de­termined athletes anxious to make a differ­ence.

"I’m going to work hard to be on the field playing," said Margolis. "I can’t stand the bench."

Ginsberg figures that going the extra mile will win her playing time.

"I know it’s going to be a challenge," she pointed out. "I know that I’ll have to earn my way. I’m going to work to earn the playing time."

That is why she and Margolis are in the gym or running around their schools push­ing and encouraging each other to make each better.