FIELD HOCKEY
By Tim Falls, Sports Editor
A persistent offense paid off for the Lawrence High School Varsity Field Hockey team.
The Cardinals defeated Nottingham, 5-0, at Mercer County Community College Tuesday night with a strong offensive effort.
Lawrence improved to 2-1 with the win following a tough 3-0 loss to Lawrenceville on Saturday.
The Cardinals started the season with a 1-0 win over Hamilton last Friday.
Playing under the lights at the college stadium added to the intensity as Lawrence, time after time, put pressure on the Nottingham defense.
”I love these night games,” said Lawrence junior Jamie Hargraves. “It’s such an adrenaline rush and when you win you feel on top of the world.”
Lawrence’s lone senior, Devon Harris, led the Cardinals’ scoring with two goals an assist.
”It was so exciting an so intense, everybody just worked so hard,” said Harris. “We had a lot of offense and a lot of defense. Our defense stayed strong and our goalie, Jordan Montgomery, pulled through with another shutout.”
Niki Ikeda, Sammi Peralta and Molly Sorensen each added a goal while Kaitie Birkbeck, Hargraves, Harris and Rachel Wallitt all had an assist.
”Everbody really stepped up out there,” said Harris. “Everbody got their turn and everybody pulled through.”
Lawrence spent most of the game working toward putting the ball in the back of Nottingham’s goal and the few times the Northstars challenged, the Cardinal defenders kept Montgomery from having to make a save.
”We stepped up and fought hard for the ball,” said Lawrence coach Kristin Shields. “We were very aggressive in the circle and I think we worked really well as a team.”
Lawrence built a two-goal lead in the first half and scored three second-half goals by applying constant pressure.
”We try to think offensively,” said Shields. “We try to make sure we’re strong in all areas, but we don’t want to think defensively.”
Lawrence had to be on the defensive in the loss to Lawrenceville, but Harris went on the offensive with a second-half goal in the Cardinals’ opening win.
Harris scored the game’s only goal as the teams contended with wet weather.
”In the rain it was so exciting,” said Harris. “Everybody just worked so hard. It was a lot of pressure, we just needed to get that goal. We were dominating the whole game, we had to get it in.”
Lawrence led in shots, 5-2, and Montgomery started the season posting a shutout with two saves.
”It’s real exciting to win,” said Harris. “We were kind of underdogs coming out and I think we really proved ourselves.”
Lawrence is scheduled to play Princeton today and take on Montgomery on Saturday.

