GMC Champion girls lacrosse team showcases outstanding freshmen

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Samantha Carigga, who scored two goals in a home game against rival East Brunswick, gets into position as she anticipates the outcome of a draw.

BY ANGEL CHIARAVALLO AND KAYLEE WEINGARTEN

            Freshmen Reagan Connolly and Samantha Carigga have started their varsity careers with a bang. These two prodigies have already helped the team win the GMC Red Division and the GMC Tournament Championship. 

            The two freshmen have clearly positively impacted the team. “The team has become higher scoring in games and more competitive,” said Jordan Connolly, Reagan’s teammate and sister. 

            Playing attack, Reagan has scored 64 goals and added 9 assists. “It feels amazing, knowing all my hard work has paid off and all the extra clinics, practices, and workouts actually did something,” stated Connolly. 

            Connolly, who leads the team in goals, has proven to herself and everyone else that she deserves to play at the highest level. “My goals for my future varsity seasons are to stay consistent, so I can continue to be a dominant shooter on the field,” said Connolly. 

Reagan Connolly, who scored three goals in the GMC Tournament Finals, cradles the ball while moving towards the goal.

            The standout freshmen on a team that features 15 underclassmen and just five seniors have benefitted from the experienced leadership of senior captains Jessica Chin, Karina Cracchiolo, and Gaby Malanga. “We work together during practice and after practice to get better,” stated Jordan Connolly. 

            Carigga, who plays midfield, also made the jump straight to varsity in her first high school season. “I have adjusted to such a big change by learning to adapt to the faster pace of the game and making decisions on the spot,” stated Carigga.  

Samantha Carigga, who notched a goal and an assist in the first round of the NJSIAA Tournament, positions herself under a pass from a teammate.

            Carigga has scored 7 goals and assisted on 3 while helping the team control the middle and move the ball up the field to the attackers. “It feels rewarding because I put in so much time and effort to be where I am now,” said Carigga.  

            The notable success for the young team has set high expectations for the program moving forward. “My goals for the rest of the season and future varsity seasons are to consistently grow and improve as a player,” stated Carigga.  

            Both Sam and Reagan fit into the varsity team well, based on skill and effort. According to sophomore Adrienne Cabrera, who has scored 51 goals herself, “Sam and Reagan are valuable to the team because they are both very skilled and have important jobs on the field!”

Reagan Connolly, the team’s leading scrorer, runs down an opposing player from behind.

Posted on 5/24/24

Photos by Francesca Panetta and Dayami Viloria