Allentown girls’ lacrosse team clinches spot in states

9-1 win over Ewing qualifies team for state tournament

By: Kyle Moylan
   With a 9-1 win over Ewing this past Friday, the Allentown High School girls’ lacrosse team qualified for the state tournament.
   Not too bad for a varsity program that has only existed for a couple of months.
   "It’s a pretty big accomplishment," Allentown Coach Jeff Hanford noted. "It’s our first year and first state appearance. I couldn’t be more proud of the girls."
   Colleen Giglia led Allentown with three goals and Brittany Petrella added two. Carly Boyce, Laura Franks, Corrie Payson and Dominique Cerulo added a goal each. Boyce had two assists, and Franks, Kelsey Grant and Payson added one each. Trish Timony had seven saves in the win for Allentown.
   "She (Timony) shut the door on Ewing in the second half," Hanford noted.
   Earlier in the week, Allentown was defeated by Hopewell Valley, 18-2. Becca Wishbow scored both goals in the loss, which left Allentown at 5-5.
   "We rested a lot of people against Hopewell Valley," Hanford said. "I know it was a big game and a gamble, but we were pretty banged up and Hopewell was going to be a tough game to win."
   The gamble paid off as Allentown was rested and ready for Ewing.
   "I got the Gatorade bath and everything," Hanford said. I didn’t even mind. It was nice on Friday."
   Hanford probably wouldn’t have even minded it if was a little chilly. The team had accomplished a great deal and the coach wanted to see them celebrate.
   "To be able to do this in such a short period of time is a major accomplishment," Hanford said. "Like I noted before, I couldn’t be prouder of the girls."
   New Egypt was scheduled to face Princeton yesterday. It will learn when its playoff match is sometimes this week. Hanford anticipates the playoff game will be on May 23 or 24.
   NEHS
   Despite losing the only game it played this past week, the New Egypt High School girls’ lacrosse team managed to get the win it needed to clinch a spot in the state playoffs.
   Saturday’s canceled game against New Providence has been approved as a forfeit.
   "It looks like we’re going to sneak in at 7-7," New Egypt Coach Jeff Murray said. "The forfeit has been approved and it should all work itself out, but nothing is official until the brackets are posted."
   This was good news to what had been a frustrating week for New Egypt, which had two games canceled.
   New Egypt got back into action after a week layoff and lost to Cinnaminson this past Monday, 17-8. Lisa Malloy and Michelle Malloy both had three goals scored. Margaret Ecke and Katie Hamilton also scored goals. Hamilton added two assists and Ecke had one.