The Nutley High School field will be the place to be this Saturday afternoon: That’s where the Verona High School girls lacrosse team will be for a championship game after scoring a stunning upset of Essex County’s reigning chief, West Essex.
The VHS girls made history last Saturday, April 30, by beating West Essex in the semifinals, 10-9. To put that in perspective, West Essex has made the Essex County Tournament Championship game every year since 2004, and has won it eight times. The game was the first time that VHS girls lax has ever defeated West Essex, which is ranked #11 in the entire state this year. The Essex County Tournament is one of the most competitive tournaments in New Jersey high school girls lacrosse, featuring a field that includes state powers Montclair, West Essex and Glen Ridge. Just making it to the final is a great achievement.
Ava Anderson and Dana Pena led the scoring for Verona against the Knights, with three goals apiece. Maggie Ashley had two goals and Julia Mackey and Ally Madigan had a goal each. Senior Amanda Maguire was a rock in goal, with 14 saves. Verona’s overall record is now 6-7.
This coming Saturday will be another first for Verona girls lacross: Their first ECT championship game. The game is slated to start at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday at Nutley High School, which is located at 300 Franklin Avenue in Nutley.
Relive last Saturday’s upset win at the buzzer here:
