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As Title IX hits 50, new NorthJersey.com column devoted to female athletes

By Jaime E. Love 10 hours ago

Women’s sports are having a moment — not the kind of moment that will pass, but the kind that will be remembered and reflected on.

Nearly every day there is another breaking story that illustrates another glass ceiling shattered, or another historic milestone reached. Be it when Kelsie Whitmore became the first woman to start in an Atlantic League game, or when the Barcelona Femení beat their own record for the most attended women’s soccer match in history with 91,648 spectators at Camp Nou. Or — you get the idea.

Even as I’m sitting here typing this column, news broke that FIFA, the governing body for world soccer, named three women among the 36 referees chosen to officiate at the men’s World Cup in Qatar later this year, and three more in the group of assistants. This year’s tournament, the most high-profile soccer event in the world, could be

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15-year-old golfer’s love for the sport saves him from the war in Ukraine

By Jaime E. Love 1 day ago

ROANOKE, Va. – More than 160 golfers teed off this weekend in the Scott Robertson Memorial Tournament in Roanoke.

But for one teenager, golf ended up rescuing his life from the war in Ukraine.

Nearly three months ago, 15-year-old Misha Golod found himself not on the golf course but traveling miles away to evacuate from his home in Ukraine.

“It’s been crazy,” he said. “I’ve been falling asleep hearing explosions, and I’ve been waking up hearing explosions. So it’s awesome to get away and to be here right now, but my parents are still there.”

Misha said his parents are now safe, but he misses them every day.

“It’s extremely nerve-wracking knowing that they are still there and anything can happen,” he said.

Misha’s passion for golf started at nine years old after watching his father play.

But once he recognized the sport required a strong mindset, Misha knew it

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Aaron Wan-Bissaka first casualty of Erik ten Hag reign, duo could follow

By Jaime E. Love 3 days ago

New Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has told Aaron Wan-Bissaka he is not in his first-team plans for the future, according to a report.

The full-back, who was a £50m signing in July 2019, has been told he can leave the club by Ten Hag.

The Dutch boss arrived in London on Wednesday night for talks with chief executive Richard Arnold and football director John Murtough. And it appears news has been leaked of Ten Hag’s intentions because Sky Sports are reporting than Wan-Bissaka is available for transfer.

Wan-Bissaka had been a regular at right-back under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer this season. But he has found game time harder to come by under Ralf Rangnick. Of his 20 Premier League starts only seven have come under the German’s interim charge.

The former Crystal Palace man is contracted until 2024, with a year’s extension option. So United will expect a

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Pep showing interest in prolific Augsburg youngster Dzenan Pejcinovic

By Jaime E. Love 4 days ago

Manchester City are reportedly one of the top clubs keeping a watchful eye on young Augsburg frontman Dzenan Pejcinovic.

City and Italian giants Juventus have ‘great interest’ in the 17-year-old attacker, who has made a particular impact at international level with Germany’s Under-17s.

Pejcinovic was originally with the Bayern Munich academy but after leaving he’s become one of the hottest properties in Augsburg’s youth ranks.

He has scored 12 goals in 21 Under-17s games so far but internationally is where he’s done most of his damage.

The forward has notched 17 goals in just 14 outings for Germany’s Under-17 side, leading a number of clubs to show interest in his signature.

However, according to Sport 1, City and Juve could have their work cut out to land the player.

Pejcinovic keen on Germany stay

The report states that Pejcinovic is ‘very much at home’ in Germany and that a

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