LAWRENCE: Seniors lead Cardinal girls lacrosse

by Bob Nuse, The Packet Group
   Heather Rainey has modest goals for the Lawrence High girls lacrosse team this year.
   ”I want us to focus on improving each day and getting better as a team,” said Rainey, who is set to begin her fourth year as the Cardinals coach. “I think after each season when we look at it we’ve improved our stick skills and fundamentals a whole lot each year.
   ”I want us to continue to improve one step at a time and continue to get better.”
   The Cardinals top two returning scorers are senior midfielders Lauren Raymond and Mary-Kate Rogener. They are just two of 11 seniors on the roster this season. It’s a group Rainey hopes will provide leadership for a team that was 5-10 last year.
   ”I am looking at the seniors to be the leaders on the field for us this year,” said Rainey, whose team will open the season on Wednesday against East Brunswick. “This is a good senior class. They started with me as freshmen the first year I was the coach. They’ve been with me the full time and I have grown close to them as a group.”
   The other seniors are Meghan O’Brien and Niki Krawczyk on attack, Carly Lapidus, Anna Brownschidle and Kari Van Treuren in the midfield, Brynne Kelly, Jene Rice and Annie Turkowski on defense, and goalie Adrianna Gonzalez.
   The Cardinals also have seven juniors and three sophomores to round out the roster. Juniors Hannah Ryan, Molly Sorensen and Katie Soto join sophomore Niki Ikeda on attack. Junior Megan Robb and sophomore Shannon Robb will play in the midfield. The defense includes juniors Kristen Molinelli and Jillian Petrone, as well as sophomore Nicole Ryzuk. Junior Clarissa Sullivan is the team’s other goalie.
   ”I’m very open-minded about the season,” Rainey said. “We’re looking to improve day-to-day. We had a rough season last year and we’re looking to close the gap. It’s a good group of girls and we’re looking forward to the season.”