Golf team shoots for first place

Golf

By: Jim Green
   The Lawrence High School golf team found itself in an unenviable position Thursday.
   After being defeated by a strong Hopewell Valley squad on May 21, the Cardinals were left needing to win two straight matches against West Windsor-Plainsboro South in order to claim their first Colonial Valley Conference Colonial Division title during the three-year tenure of co-coaches Sam Cacallori and Mark Rowe.
   They certainly did not shy away from the challenge.
   Lawrence improved its CVC record to 13-3 last Thursday with a 193-208 victory over the Pirates at Princeton Country Club. West Windsor-Plainsboro South dropped to 10-3, meaning the Pirates and Cardinals were tied in the loss column heading into their match yesterday at Knob Hill.
   "They rose to the occasion," Cacallori said of his team’s performance during its first match against the Pirates. "They scored their best of the season."
   The Cardinals, whose previous best team effort came during the Mercer County Tournament earlier this month, had easily their best match performance of the year in snapping a two-match losing streak.
   Junior Jared Husch shot a season-best 1-under par 35 to lead the way.Senior Dan Shin chipped in with a 36, senior Pat Moyle notched a 38, junior Steve Marencik shot a 42, and senior Steve Molinelli finished with a 43.
   "They (the Cardinals) knew if they didn’t win, their season was over," Cacallori said. "They didn’t want their season to end yet. The whole team responded quite well."
   Still, the Cardinals knew their task was only half completed. With the next match against West Windsor-Plainsboro South on the Pirates’ home course, completing the sweep would be difficult for Lawrence.
   "That’s what you play for," Cacallori said. "You want to end up the season with a regular season match that’s a championship match."
   The cold and rainy weather over the weekend gave the Cardinals another obstacle to overcome as they chase a division title. Since they were unable to practice on Saturday or Sunday, their match Friday against South Hunterdon essentially served as their only practice prior to Tuesday afternoon.
   Lawrence moved its overall record to 15-3 with a 201-270 thrashing of the Eagles at Heron Glen. Moyle set the pace with a 1-over par 36, while Husch and Marencik each came in at 39. It was the sixth straight match in which Husch shot a 40 or better. Shin notched a 41, and freshman Chris Trapp shot a 45.
   "The weather’s been bad ever since (beating South Hunterdon)," Cacallori said. "And that was a difficult match to play."
   The Cardinals are playing at such a high level that they are impressive even in defeat. Their 200-206 loss to Hopewell Valley at Hopewell Valley Golf Club was hardly disappointing, considering the Bulldogs are 19-2 and undefeated on their home course.
   Husch led Lawrence with a 1-over par 36 against HoVal. Moyle (40), Molinelli (42), Marencik (42) and Shin (45) also had solid performances in less-than-ideal conditions.
   "I was still proud of the way we played in the Hopewell match," Cacallori said. "To go to Hopewell and play in the rain and average a 40, I was proud of that."
   The Cardinals hoped to match that effort yesterday at Knob Hill, where West Windsor-Plainsboro was 7-0.
   "They (the Cardinals) are showing a tremendous amount of excitement to play in that match," Cacallori said Tuesday. "I think they’re ready."