State play a great end for AHS’s first varsity lacrosse seasons

Game a lot closer than score indicated

By: Kyle Moylan
   The Allentown High School girls’ lacrosse team was defeated by Red Bank Regional, 9-5, in a state playoff game this past Saturday that was a lot closer than the score indicated.
   Kelsey Grant scored three goals and Colleen Giglia added two. Allentown Coach Jeff Hanford was also very impressed by the play of Brittany Petrella, who was assigned to shut down Brie Moran, the top scorer in the state.
   "I couldn’t get over how impressive she (Petrella) was," Hanford said. "She’s one of the better defenders in the state. She did a good job of shutting her (Moran) down. Her goals came off of direct fouls that didn’t involve Brittany."
   Of course, Petrella wasn’t the only defender to have an impressive game for Allentown.
   "The other team’s coach even pointed out what a good goalie Trish (Timony) is," Hanford said. "We’re a new program. That hurts the girls in terms of notoriety. A lot of people don’t know about us yet. We still have a ways to go."
   Allentown will have to do that without seniors Boyce, Cerulo, Conk and Payson.
   "The four of them have been building blocks for the program," Hanford said.
   In regular season action last week, Allentown won two out of three games and was able to finish the year with a record of 8-7.
   A 9-0 win over South Plainfield clinched the winning record. Timony only had to make four saves to record the shutout. Carly Boyce, Dominique Cerulo, Caitlin Conk, Brittany Petrella, Giglia and Kelsey Grant did the scoring for Allentown. Payson had two assists, and Jakie Turner and Becca Wishbow added one each.
   Timony had nine saves in a 9-3 win over JP Stevens. Giglia scored three goals, Payson and Laura Franks two goals, and Grant and Petrella added a goal each.
   Timony had 13 saves in a 10-5 loss to Princeton. Grant, Giglia, Franks, Conk and Lindsey Smith scored a goal each.
   BOYS
   The Allentown High School boys’ lacrosse team ended the season with an 8-9 record. What no one should ever forget, however, is that Allentown ended its first varsity season ever with a playoff appearance.
   Allentown was defeated in the playoffs by Bernards, 8-1, this past Saturday. Mike Ferro, assisted by Marc Payson, scored Allentown’s goal.
   "At the end of the day, it was probably the best lacrosse we’ve played," Allentown Coach Rob Castro noted of the loss. "We were just up against a very good team. That team didn’t drop any balls and passed very well. They were just bigger and stronger than us."
   But it was a playoff game. And Allentown was there.
   "Next year there are a few holes to fill, but we are returning a lot of players," Castro said. "Things are looking up for next year. We’re looking to get back to the states next year. You can expect that from us now."
   If Allentown does make it back to the states, it will be without the seniors that played a big part in getting the lacrosse program off the ground at the school.
   Matt Turowski (midfield), Clay Heinzel-Nelson (midfield), Andrew Falco (defense), Austin Sarte (midfield), Rob Devenney (midfield) and Riley O’Neil (midfield) have all played their last game for Allentown.
   In regular season action, Allentown was defeated by Lawrence, 6-5. Payson recorded three goals and an assist. Eric Todd and Justin Darlea also scored.