GIRLS SOCCER
By Tim Falls, Sports Editor
The Lawrence High School girls varsity soccer team have come together quickly hoping for a strong start to the season.
Cardinal senior Lauren Alexander said she thought the team’s chemistry will be an important advantage.
”This year I think we’re going to be really great,” said Alexander. “We’re really together. Last year we were together, but this year we’re really together. We just started practicing a week ago, but already the combinations are working.”
In addition to connecting on the field, social activities, like getting together to go to the movies have been powerful team building exercises.
”We all get along,” said Alexander, “and our communication on the field is great.”
Lawrence also returns this season with a little more experience.
”We have 14 returning varsity players,” said Lawrence coach Dave Boggs. “A lot of the kids, when we have that first game, they’ll know what it’s all about.”
Lawrence will field seniors Lauren Alexander, Anna Brownschidle, Liz Darbee, Molly Goodell, Jen Korngut, Nicole Krawczyk, Orla O’Sullivan-Roche, Lauren Raymond and Annie Turkowski.
The Cardinal juniors are Nikki Eversberg, Lauren Immordino, Nikki Tracy, Kari Van Treuren and Marissa Walachy. The Lawrence sophomores are Rachel Darbee, Adrian Glass and Erica Scardelletti. Lawrence freshman Sarah Borajkiewicz will also play for the varsity squad.
Boggs said he’s happy to see that players are competing for almost every position on the field.
”Everybody is being pushed, which is awesome” said Boggs. “Nobody really feels safe and it shows with everybody working hard. They know there’s somebody that will step right in if they’re not giving 100 percent.”
Boggs said seniors like Alexander are leading by example.
”Lauren is someone who really works hard,” said Boggs. “You know you’re always going to get 100 percent from her. Liz Darbee is the same kind of player, tough, tenacious and very fit.”
The Cardinals come back this season with Jen Korngut, the team’s leading scorer last season goalie Niki Krawzuc, who Bogg said “comes to play everyday and is extremely hard working.”
Boggs said Lawrence is hoping the experience and team chemistry will help the Cardinals qualify for the state tournament this year.
”We just keep preaching hard work, working smart and working together,” said Boggs. “We want to do better than last year and try to make the state tournament, that’s always our goal. I think we have good chance in our division as well. I think we’re going to compete.”
Lawrence starts the Colonial Valley Conference season with a night game at Zimmer Field next Friday against Princeton.
”I’m feeling good about this year,” said Alexander. “We’re tough, we’re all over the ball and our first touch is good.”

