BY JAMIE HAZEL
The GMC Champion girl’s lacrosse team lost nine of eleven starters to graduation, giving underclassmen no choice but to step up. Last year, the girls finished 8-0 in their division and 16-5 throughout the season, and this year’s team hopes to add to that legacy.
The graduated seniors have left, but their impact hasn’t. “I had a good freshman season because I had amazing upperclassmen who always answered any questions I had, and they gave me the best tips. I really cannot thank them enough for how they supported me and for how much they taught me,” explained sophomore Adrienne Cabrera, who finished fifth on the team in scoring last year with 25 goals.
Senior captains Gaby Malanga and Jessica Chin will lead the young team on defense and offense respectively. “I think once we get comfortable and learn to play with each other we will definitely have another stellar outcome” explained Chin, who finished third on the team in assists with 36 as a junior.
“We are preparing the same way we prepared last year, just with new additions to the team, including talented underclassmen like Cabrera, Laila Vaughan and Reagan Connolly,” explained senior Gaby Malanga. Last season, Cabrera earned a spot in the starting lineup as a freshman, and Vaughan earned some playing time and scored five goals, while Connolly will take the field with the varsity team for the first time this spring.
The underclassmen will need to quickly rise to the challenge and play like experienced athletes. “I’m excited to play at a high level and have good competition,” explained Conolly.
“This season I’m going to be more of a leader. It’s my turn to encourage everybody to keep up our winning percentage,” explained Vaughan, who already led the field hockey team to the Regular Season White Division Championship in the fall. The Knights had the highest winning percentage in the county last season.
The three highest scorers all graduated, but their young replacements hope to fill the gap left behind. “This year will be different because so many seniors left, so with new talented players filling in their spots, we will all need to learn how we play and how to use our skills together to be successful,” explained Cabrera.
The senior leaders are doing everything they can to make sure the team is ready. “I have prepared by motivating the girls and showing them the ‘ins and outs’ of the way we play. I make sure they recognize the big shoes they have to fill, and so far, they’ve really adjusted successfully!” stated Chin.
Malanga, the goalie, had 111 saves in her first full season in the net, bringing her career total to 120 and moving her more than halfway to her goal of 200 saves. “The excitement is off the chart,” explained Malanga, “I know if I continue working to my best ability, I can certainly reach that goal.”
Just like last year, the girls will open up against East Brunswick followed by Monroe, and they will look to repeat last year’s success with another 2-0 start. “I’m most looking forward to playing East Brunswick,” said Connolly.
Last season, the girls had three successful wins against rival Monroe, including the GMC Tournament Finals. “They are always a great program,” Malanga said, “I love the rivalry and intensity of the game.”
Coming off a GMC Championship win after beating Monroe 8-7 last season, the girls prepare to do it again. “We will work together and get better throughout the season and hopefully bring home another GMC championship,” said Vaughan.
Although the team lost many girls, they have found success rebuilding so far and will prove it on the field on April 2 at 4:30 at Upper Gieck. Be there!
Posted on 3/25/24
Photos by Jayden Junaid, Frank Papeo, and Emma SantaMaria
Knight Life 