Jogan’s joy memorable

By: Rich Fisher
   If they ever do a remake of the movie Groundhog Day and decide to cast a female in Bill Murray’s lead role, Alana Jogan would gladly audition as long as the repetitive day was Saturday, May 20, 2006.
   "It’s a day to remember forever," a beaming Jogan said. "That’s what it is."
   First off, Jogan was part of a South Brunswick High girls lacrosse team that made school history by winning its first state tournament game.
   Secondly, in that game, she made school history on a personal note by scoring her 103rd career goal, breaking the record of 2004 graduate Kate Marowitz.
   Finally, after that eventful morning, Jogan got ready for Saturday night’s Junior Prom. And how many girls can walk into their junior prom with new gown and new record all in one day?
   The question is, when Jogan is telling her kids about that day 20 years from now, what will rank first on the list.
   "Definitely breaking the school record," she said, before quickly adding "But I couldn’t do it without my team. We just really clicked a lot this year."
   Unlike Tanya Earl and Marowitz, the only other 100-goal scorers in SBHS history, Jogan has another year to pad her record.
   But for now, she is glad it finally came, as the pressure was starting to build.
   She tallied her 100th goal in a tie with Rutgers Prep, then tied Marowitz’s record with her 102nd goal against North Brunswick on May 15. After being shutout for the first 35 minutes against Freehold Township Saturday, Jogan went to work.
   Lori Schmon spun away from a defender and the top of the circle and tossed a pass to Jogan on the right. The speedy attack stormed to goal and finally got the record with 14:56 remaining.
   Did she think it would ever come?
   "Oh my God no," Jogan said with a laugh. "We were aggravated about losing to North Brunswick, I’m excited for the prom. Everything was just happening at once, but I finally did it.
   "I really wanted it against North Brunswick, but I spread it out. I got 100 in one game, tied the record in the next one and broke it in the next one."
   Jogan had several other chances, getting stoned by the Freehold goalie once on a free position, and hitting the crossbar twice.
   "I swear I thought that was going in," Jogan said. "Then I got nervous. That was the only thing on my mind the entire game.
   "I was really starting to get nervous. In the North Brunswick game, I was so nervous I didn’t even catch that many balls."
   Jogan has been outstanding ever since she arrived on the scene as a freshman. A soccer player by trade, Jogan and her friends decided to try lacrosse on a whim when it started at Crossroads. She scored in double figures for SBHS in ninth grade, and exploded for over 50 goals last year despite playing with tendinitis in her foot.
   Early last year, Jogan admitted to setting her sights on the school record, which makes sense since her speed and instincts make her a natural goal scorer.
   This year, with some extra attention being paid by defenders, her output dropped slightly, but she was still dangerous. And on Saturday, it all came to fruition.
   "We knew she would do it sooner or later," coach Lisa Ripa said. "She was sick, most of the week. She missed Tuesday through Friday.
   "But she finally made her goal, so I hope that burden is off her back. At least now that’s done and she can just play her game. I’m glad she got it at home too, that makes it more special."
   As if the day wasn’t special enough already.