In a perfect world, it would have been a Cinderella story: The scrappy come-from-behind team goes all the way for the big trophy. The Verona High School girls lacrosse team entered the Essex County Tournament as the No. 4 seed and, for the first time in the Verona program’s history, made it all the way to the tournament finals.
But when the crumb rubber settled settled Saturday afternoon, the Lady Hillbillies had a second place trophy in their hands, not first: Verona fell to No. 2 seed Glen Ridge, 14-6.
The Ridgers got on the scoreboard first, and for a time it seemed as if Verona would keep them close at hand. When But Glen Ridge was hit with several penalties in the first period, Verona’s Emily Coppola and Ava Anderson pulled the scoring to just a one point deficit. Anderson was the lead scorer for Verona in the game, with a hat trick. Coppola, Maggie Ashley and Dana Pena had a goal apiece and Ashley was also credited with an assist. Glen Ridge’s Colleen Grady had a game high eight goals and one assist.
With its second-place trophy, Verona continues the season knowing it took on some of the toughest teams in the state. In addition to Glen Ridge, the Essex County tournament field includes West Essex. The VHS girls made history on April 30, by beating the Knights–a team that won the ECT eight times–in the semifinals, 10-9. 
Photos copyright 2016 Fred Goode. Used by permission.
