LHS enjoys successful season

FIELD HOCKEY

By Tim Falls, Sports Editor
   Lawrence High School varsity field hockey coach Kristin Shields set the bar rather high.
   The first-year coach led the Cardinals to a successful season and expects even more from Lawrence in the future.
   ”My expectations were high going into the season,” said Shields. “The girls exceeded those expectations with all their hard work.”
   Lawrence went 11-7-1, a more than respectable finish.
   ”They worked well together,” said Shields. “They bonded with each other. It really was a great season for me.”
   While it takes time for some teams to adjust to a new coach, the Cardinals came into the season strong and ready for the competition.
   Lawrence posted four shutouts among its many wins. The Cardinals defeated Hamilton, 7-0, Hopewell, 1-0, Montgomery, 2-0, and Nottingham, 6-0.
   Lawrence’s senior goalie, Lisa Tamulis, was stellar in those shutouts and all season long, recording 158 total saves this season.
   On the attack for Lawrence, senior forward Maria Eldridge led the scoring with 14 goals and five assists. Lawrence senior forward Melissa Casale was another offensive threat with 12 goals and 10 assists.
   Lawrence fired 180 shots on goal and had 145 penalty corners. The Cardinals scored 46 goals this season.
   The Cardinals’ season came to an end in the NJSIAA Group III Central Jersey Sectional Tournament. Lawrence lost to Moorestown, 4-0. Moorestown went on to win the Group III Sectional Championship.
   With all that success, the Cardinals will have to work hard to achieve similar results next season.
   ”We’ll have the same short term and long term goals,” said Shields. “We want to come out ready to play by working hard over the summer. We want to make it to states again and do well in counties, but still keep working one game at a time. We have to focus on the short term goals so we can reach our long term goals.”