BRICK TOWNSHIP — Girls lacrosse at both township high schools is taking hold, especially with much of the roster at Brick Memorial filled by players who developed their skills over the years in the Brick Lacrosse Club program.
“A lot of the club — about 10 to 15 — come out of the club and many of our freshmen do,” Brick Memorial coach Courtney Richardson said.
Along with a few who have gone on to the college ranks since the program’s launched four years ago, the latest college acceptance is a noteworthy testament. Brick Memorial midfielder Corinne Coyle has accepted a full financial package to Georgian Court, an NCAA Division II program, even though she missed half of last season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee.
“It feels good now,” Coyle said. “I was lucky. The coach got to one of our games (early in the season) and saw me play.”
Coyle said she is excited about heading to the Lakewood college program that was in second place in the conference. But over the weekend, the team knocked off conference leader Philadelphia University.
“She’s such a hard worker and wants to get it right,” Richardson said. “She works hard every practice.”
Brick Memorial finished 8-12 last year, coming close before falling short of making the Shore Conference and NJSIAA Tournaments. Brick Township was 5-12 under coach Kristen Pike, including a solid victory over Toms River East.
“We lost a decent amount of players from last year’s team — five or six players — but all but one midfielder and pretty much our entire defense is returning,” Richardson said. “We’re very strong in the midfield.”
Lydia Stanislawski, a junior backup goalie last season, is the starter this season in place of graduated starter Jess Khalil when Brick Memorial gets under way on April 2 at Toms River South. Its home opener is on Saturday against Toms River East at 11 a.m., followed by a Tuesday, April 7 home game against perennial conference contender JacksonMemorial.
A number of the players also competed for the two-time Shore Conference A South champion girls soccer team, including seniors Alex Montalto, a midfielder; and Brianne Toomey, a center. Both are two of the four captains on the team with Coyle and senior defender Joanne Corino, who moved over to midfield capably last season for Coyle when she was injured.
The goalies from the soccer team also are on the lacrosse team, including senior Amanda Simon on defense and junior Amanda Heerwagen, who missed last soccer season because of a broken collarbone suffered while playing for her club soccer team.
Also looking sharp on defense are seniors Melanie Caruso and Jackie Janicky, a fullback on the soccer team out for lacrosse for the first time.
“We couldn’t ask for a better group of girls,” Richardson said. “They’re more motivated than in the past.”
Her team closes its scrimmage schedule on Saturday morning at home against Point Pleasant Borough in a 10 a.m. start.
Pike’s Brick Township team plays its final scrimmages on Friday at Lacey and on Saturday at Pascack Valley this week before opening on April 2 at home against Toms River North.
“They’re focused this year and playing as a team,” Pike said. “They have to do that because we don’t have one big standout. It takes the whole team to do this.”
Last year’s squad had the marquee player in Kaitlyn Pike, the coach’s daughter, who is one of six players who graduated after compiling a school career record 111 goals. Two other key players also graduated: center Heather Murphy and defensive wing Julie Matsutani.
“The girls really want to play and are excited about the season,” Pike said. “They want to learn. They look a little better this year. I’m happy with their progress based on what we’re working with. These kids really want to win.”
Although Pike said the offense “was OK last year,” the defense “needed a little bit of work,” and is anchored this year by seniors Katie Fratterman, a goalie who was third in the Shore Conference in saves last season, and defender Cathryn Clarkin. Senior Alyssa Perrotti, playing the home spot, was the team’s second leading scorer last season. Two defensive wings also return in Kourtney Pike (also the coach’s daughter) and Shelby Kempfe, both juniors.
Pike calls Helene Doskalavitz a “secret weapon” at A wing coming off her solid performance on the junior varsity team last season.
With 13 juniors, many of them are promising players, including centers Stacy Romsthaler and Sam Schley, A wing Kelly Domgauer, along with versatile players Brittany Bixenman, Jeanette Martinez and Michaela Wallis. It is a young team that Pike feels can come of age quickly