Improving HoVal off to fast start

HOPEWELL VALLEY GIRLS LACROSSE

By: Tim Falls
   The Hopewell Valley Central High School girls lacrosse team doesn’t take it personally when the opposing team scores.
   Coach Pam Edwards wishes they would.
   The Bulldogs opened their season with an impressive 11-8 victory over Voorhees on Saturday and added another win by defeating West Windsor-Plainsboro South, 18-10, on Tuesday.
   Ali Cahill led the scoring in both games.
   The freshman had a hat trick in the win over Voorhees and tallied seven times against the Pirates.
   Even though Hopewell Valley led in both games, the Bulldogs were not quite able to shut down the opposition at times and Edwards knows that could hurt them in the truly tough games. The Bulldogs have to take it as an affront and go on offense when another team scores. They have to want to get right back on the attack and punch in a goal of their own.
   In the first half against WW-P South, Hopewell Valley went ahead, 9-1, but the Pirates got back in the game with four goals and kept the Bulldogs from scoring for the rest of the half.
   "When a team comes down and scores on you like that you have to take it personally," said Edwards. "You have to answer back. They scored and we didn’t answer back for those goals."
   Even though Edwards is hoping to see a little more of a killer instinct, the coach is extremely happy with how her team has played this early in the season.
   "They’re improving each game," said Edwards. "We have a young team with a lot of talent. They’re learning and gaining confidence in each other."
   Claire Grimwood is right behind Cahill in goals for Hopewell Valley.
   Grimwood and teammate Sammy Novolbilsky each scored twice against Voorhees, while Grimwood scored six goals in the win over WW-P South. Eileen Carroll, Kaitlin Cahill, Kyle Pagano and Tyler Orr also scored against Voorhees. Eileen Carroll had a hat trick against WW-P South, while Kaitlin Cahill and Viv Gilmitt each accounted for a single tally.
   Hopewell Valley fired on target against the Pirates, scoring on 18 of 27 shots. The Bulldogs scored two goals for every three shots they took, an obvious reason for Hopewell Valley’s victory.
   "I thought some of the girls had phenomenal goals," said Edwards. "I didn’t know how they were doing it. Some seemed to score just by their own determination. If they could do that every game, that would be great."
   Goalie Lauren Apgar recorded her second win defending the Hopewell net.
   "She was really impressive in the second half," said Edwards, referring to the game against WW-P South. "She was getting pounded but she made some good saves and smart clears."
   Apgar made 11 saves against the Pirates and 12 against Voorhees.
   "Lauren is still learning," said Edwards. "She knows there are saves she can get next time."
   There were times, however, when the opposition took control of the scoring and was able to climb back into the game.
   "We let it get as close as a few goals," said Edwards who pointed to the game against WW-P South. "We were almost beating ourselves. We were playing hard, but we were making fouls or not catching the ball or overthrowing it."
   When the Bulldogs were settled, they were able to repel the attacks and take back control. Edwards just wants them to do that all game long.
   "They have to take control, maintain and play steady," said Edwards. "We’ve hit some bumps and muddled through it. We’ve pulled together and pulled out the win."
   Hopewell Valley plays Princeton Day School today (Thursday), and if it can keep up its two-thirds shooting percentage the Panthers defense will really have to work.