Chatham High School (N.J.) Girl’s Lacrosse team has used the same tried-and-true formula that has worked like a charm: get out to quick lead and allow the defense to smother the opposition’s offense.
Well, it worked to perfection, as the Cougars (16-6) jumped out to a 4-1 advantage in the first quarter and refused let up en route to a 16-6 victory over Morris Knolls (10-11) in the North Jersey, Group 3 State Sectional Final Wednesday afternoon at Hass Field at Chatham Middle School.
Cougar head coach Helen McCutcheon Oliver said the team aspired to reach at least the 10-goal mark, after beating the Golden Eagles by larger margins (17-7, 15-8) in its last two meetings this season. That amount, if achieved, would give them a good shot of winning the contest, she noted.
“We have had two games against this team, with (us) scoring more than 10 goals, and that was our goal,” Oliver said. “So obviously, you only need to win by one, so we’re glad we won by more than that.”
But each year, with turnover due to graduation, she said she is not sure if the new club will accomplish the same type of success, it had the previous year. However, through sheer hard work and determination, Chatham earned its fourth straight sectional championship.
“Every year you think, it’s a new squad and you’re not really sure if it’s going to be the same. And they continue to show up and work hard. I’m so proud of them. The staff and the kids wanted it, and they did it.”
The Cougars extended their lead to 9-1 in the second period behind two goals from junior Grace Hallahan, and one each from Annie Irish, senior Addison Barrett, and Ashlyn Carpentar.
Senior Cameron McGlynn followed that up with a quick-stick, bullet goal that rattled the cage for a 10-1 advantage with 8:54 to go in the third quarter.
After the Golden Eagles recorded their second marker of the tilt, Hallahan stole the ball in front of the net and banged home the ball for a 11-2 lead with 6:17 remaining in the third period.
Hallahan, Barrett and senior Josie Pruss each found the back of the net, with Morris Knolls scoring one of its own, for a 14-3 advantage with 1:34 left in the third.
Senior Lily Keane and Kayla Grom added goals to cap Chatham’s scoring at 16 under heavy rain in the fourth quarter.
Golden Eagle sophomore Lucia Nash tallied two markers and an assist late in the game to reach 100 points for the season.
— Jerry Del Priore
NY NJ Sports World/Brooklyn Sports World 