Lawrence is applying lessons

FIELD HOCKEY

By Tim Falls, Sports Editor
   Coach Kristin Shields has already seen the Lawrence High School field hockey team apply the lessons she has taught.
   The Cardinals fared well in their preseason scrimmages and are excited about the upcoming Colonial Valley Conference season.
   Lawrence opens its season with a night game against Hamilton at Mercer County Community College. The Cardinals take to the turf at 7 p.m. tomorrow (Friday).
   "It should be a lot of fun," said Shields. "They’re excited to play on the turf field. We’re excited to get going. We’ve been working hard to get ready."
   Seniors Melissa Casale and Lauren Gutierrez will lead the team as captains this season.
   "They’re good leaders," said Shields. "They have a positive attitude and really encourage each other and all the other players."
   The Cardinals will also field seniors Amanda DeFiccio, Maria Eldridge, Emily Rickard, Amanda Sawasky, Lisa tamulia and Corinne Tomsho. With eight seniors Lawrence has an experienced squad.
   The Cardinals will also have juniors Meredith Crane and Devon Harris, sophomores Sarah Gilbert, Jamie Hargraves, Jillian Petrone and Molly Sorensen and freshman Niki Ideda.
   "We have a lot of talent on the team," said Shields. "They work hard for each other and they work hard together. They want it."
   Lawrence won a preseason scrimmage against Florence, 6-1. Eldridge had a hat trick, while Devon Harris scored twice and had an assist and Casale scored once and had two assists.
   "I saw a lot of great things in that game," said Shields. "They worked together very well. They were able to transition the ball and put into play what we’ve been practicing."
   Lawrence also took part in a ‘play day’ at Princeton Day School. In the first of Lawrence’s two 30 minute games, the Cardinals defeated Princeton, 3-0. Then Lawrence tied West Windsor-Plainsboro North, 1-1.
   "I was happy," said Shields, "WW-P North came out strong and we reacted well to their intensity."
   While the scrimmages showed some things Lawrence needed to work on, the Cardinals showed they have been paying attention in their practices.
   "They really took what we’ve been practicing," said Shields, "and really applied it to their scrimmages."