So far, entering yesterday’s important Colonial Hills Conference match at Boonton, the Cougar stickers have done quite well for themselves, sporting a 3-2-2 record through the first seven games.

"We knew that people were going to have to step up to fill some vital roles on the field," said MKA head coach Injoo Han. "We still have a lot of work to do to get to where we want to be, but this team has not missed a beat from the team that beat Mountain Lakes, 2-0, in the last regular season game in 2007.

"The girls really have a close bond, stronger than the teams they’ve been on in the past, and what impresses me is that they all want to play not for me, the other coaches, or even themselves, but instead for each other.

"Freshman or senior captain, each player on the team is willing to take criticism from one another to better their play, and they all know that it’s for the betterment of the entire team. This is definitely the most selfless, team-oriented and coach-able team I’ve had."

MKA, the fourth seed in the Essex County Tournament, hosts fifth-seeded Livingston, 3 p.m., Saturday in the quarterfinals at Muenster Field.

Should the Cougars advance, they would face top-seeded West Essex in the semis on Oct. 11.

"When the county seedings were drawn, the girls were very excited to know that we have the possibility of playing West Essex in the semifinal round," said Han. "It would be such a great opportunity to play a strong and talented team like West Essex, but we like to focus on one game at a time."

One of the key areas contributing to MKA’s early season success has been in the all-important defensive corners, where the Cougars have a unit that has saved the team a number of times in tight games by coming up with the ball when it’s most beneficial for the team.

"Our defensive corner unit consists of our speedy and fearless flier, Lacey Silvano, outside trail Meredith Moran, inside trail Paige Barrett and post player Katie Arena, and, of course, our starting goalie, Devon Barrett," said Han. "As a two-year starter, Katie has come up big for us in the sweeper position. Even in the tightest games, she stays extremely composed and is able to skillfully come up with the ball and begin our momentum forward into our offensive end.

"Devon Barrett recently had one of the best games of her career thus far at Morristown-Beard [0-0 tie, Sept. 26]. The team played on turf, a surface that we don’t practice on much, and she was able to stop 21 shots on goal as well as a penalty stroke. We battled competitively, ending in a scoreless battle that went into overtime."

Among the leading scorers for the Cougars so far in 2008 are center forward Mallory McDonagh (four goals, three assists), Paige Barrett (one goal, two assists), outside midfielders Marion Nammack (two goals and an assist) and Skylar Zlotnick (one goal, one assist) and wing forward Kerry Fusco (one goal),

Entering yesterday’s action at Boonton, MKA’s victories to date have been against Governor Livingston, 2-0, on Sept. 13; Newark Academy, 2-1, Sept. 18; and Dwight-Englewood, 4-0, Sept. 23. The two losses were to Pingry, 2-0, Sept. 20; and Whippany Park, 2-0, Sept. 22. The tie came in the aforementioned Morristown-Beard match.

Health-wise, the Cougars are ready to roll toward a successful second half of the campaign.

"The girls are healthy and we don’t have any injuries, knock on wood," said Han. "With a small squad like ours [27 for the entire varsity and jayvee rosters], it is extremely important to keep every single player fit and, so far, they are doing a good job taking care of themselves."

MKA hosts Mountain Lakes tomorrow before focusing on Livingston in Saturday’s county match, and then is off nearly a week before returning to action to host Glen Ridge on Friday, Oct. 10.