Field HockeyThus far, the Lawrence High School field hockey team has faced adversity squarely in the face and come up big.
By: Steve Feitl
The Cardinals have recovered from forfeiting its first four games to knot its record at 6-6.
But now the true test comes at 4 p.m. today (Thursday) at Notre Dame. It’s do-or-die for the Cardinals if they are to join the field of postseason teams in the NJSIAA state tournament.
With the deadline for qualification into the tourney set for Friday, the clash with the Fighting Irish is the Cardinals’ last prior to the cut-off.
A win puts the Cardinals over the .500 mark at 7-6. A loss means Lawrence falls just short of its postseason goal.
First-year head coach Lauren Fares thinks her squad is up to the task at hand today.
"These girls know we need these games right now," Fares said. "They know we don’t get another chance.
"Right now, the team has the theme that we may get knocked down, but we will get up again."
Lawrence rattled off three straight wins this past week to keep itself in contention.
On Oct. 10, the Cardinals beat Hightstown, 3-0, before earning a 4-1 win over Allentown the next day. On Monday, Lawrence edged out a victory over Nottingham, 2-0.
Against Allentown, Kathy Kotowski scored two goals, while Allie Gropp scored on a Diane Van Arsdale assist and recent call-up Emily Panasowich struck with an assist going to Kotowski.
In the game against Nottingham, Ashley Russell playing in just her second game after a month lay-off scored both Cardinal goals.
Panasowich and Kotowski had the assists on the goals.
"Kathy (Kotowski) had an awesome game controlling the midfield," Fares said. "Along with Diane Van Arsdale and Liz Casale, she’s been playing really well. The defense did a real nice job holding (Nottingham) back."
But the game was not without its sleepless moments for Cardinal fans.
Lawrence did not strike until the second half, and Fares admitted she was a bit concerned, especially considering the must-have nature of these games for Lawrence.
"It was a little scary in the first half," Fares said. "But it really just took a while to get in the groove. When we did that, the passing began to look really good."

