Pittas’ girls poised for solid 2007

By: Sean Moylan
   Last year the Peddie girls’ varsity lacrosse team was so young and inexperienced that many of the Falcon players basically learned the game on the field.
   Nevertheless, that may have been a good thing because Peddie varsity lacrosse coach Jan Pittas likes what she’s seen out of her team in the preseason.
   "I only lost four seniors. Last year was a building year," said Pittas, who is entering her fourth season as Peddie’s head coach and 10th year coaching lacrosse in some capacity at Peddie. "I’ve got good balance on the field."
   Last year Peddie developed several good lacrosse players. Moreover, the Falcons are very pleased to have its stars, junior Lauren Sokol and sophomore Carolyn Gorajek, back for another season.
   "I’m glad to have both of them back. Those two (Sokol and Gorajek ) are my strongest players," said Pittas. "Lauren Sokol is a defender and she’s a very strong player. She has a huge amount of heart."
   Sokol is also a team captain. Gorajek was so good that Pittas started her as a center mid as a freshmen. Gorajek and other young players worked out so well that Pittas did not hesitate to add two more skilled freshmen, Nora Wilby (defense) and Gabby Horner (midfield), to the varsity roster this season.
   The Falcons will have some senior leadership as well. Senior Katie Lindberg is the team’s goalie and 12th graders Marica Dacey (attack), Caitlin Holtz (midfield), Ashley Walton (attack) and Liz Knopf (attack) are all expected to play pivotal roles on this year’s club.
   Peddie’s other junior players are Christine Lee (attack), Lindsay Bublewicz (defense) and Sara Bellin (attack). However, the Falcons have several talented sophomores including Claire Engelman (defense), Bridget Lang (defense), Caitlin Helm (defense), Lauren Smedley (defense), Katrina Smedley (midfield) and Olivia Wittman (attack).
   Pittas expects this group to post a much better record than last year’s 4-9 mark. And considering the team only has one player with little to no experience, it should be better.
   Peddie was scheduled to have hosted Wyoming Seminary this past Wednesday, but that contest was postponed due to rain. So Peddie will now open its regular season with a game at Blair Academy on Saturday. Then on Tuesday Peddie is scheduled to host Lawrenceville in its new home opener.