Despite a hard fought game, the Girls’ Lacrosse team couldn’t get past Glen Ridge in the semifinals of the Essex County Tournament Sunday at Forest Avenue School in Glen Ridge. The Girls fell by a score of 19-10 to a Glen Ridge (11-1) team that is currently ranked number 8 in the state.
In the first half, the Girls kept it close and battled back and forth with GR the entire time. Julieanne Mascera netted a goal to knot the game up 3-3 before Glen Ridge went on to score three in a row and regain the lead. Caroline Brenneis and Mascera both added another goal in the first half but Glen Ridge answered and GR took a 9-5 lead into the break.
Coach Suzanne Giarrusso said, “I felt like we played well the first half. We played really good defense and had some really good transitions. The 2nd half we made some mistakes and Glen Ridge was able to score off our turnovers.”
Once the second half began, it seemed as though every time Verona appeared to begin a comeback, Glen Ridge would answer with a goal or two of their own, extending their lead. The game was definitely closer than the score indicated and Verona was within striking distance for most of the game. Despite three goals by DonnaJo DiNorcia in the second half, Glen Ridge proved to be too much for the Hillbillies and eventually went on to win 19-10.
For Verona, Mascera had 4 goals, DiNorcia had 3, Caroline Brenneis had 2 and Casie Milmoe had 1.
Despite the loss, Coach Giarrusso is very optimistic about the game. “I am really pleased with our performance today. They never gave up and I feel they did a really nice job. The girls have improved everyday and it is great to see. GR is ranked 8th in the state at this point. So of course a win would have been better, but I feel like we can hold our heads up high because I feel like the game seemed closer than the score reflects.”
The Girls hope to shake off the loss quickly when they take on Hanover Park on the road this afternoon.
Home page photo courtesy John McClellan
