Above: Monroe Township High School’s Teuta Cosaj (l-r) and Sam Clark celebrate after the Falcons defeated Old Bridge High School, 7-6, on April 16. The lacrosse match was played on Lombardi Field in Old Bridge. Left: Old Bridge High School’s Keviann Durgin (l-r) and Monroe Township High School’s Sam Clark look to gain possession of the ball following a face-off. PHOTOS BY ERIC SUCAR staff Monroe Township igh School girls lacrosse coach Ashley Pepe wants what every team strives for, and that is to win even if the players are new.
That will be put to the test this season as the Falcons, in their third season, need to replenish most of a lineup that finished 17-5 and second in the GMC a year ago.
A former player for Jackson Township, Pepe has relied on attracting the best athletes and turning them into lacrosse players. The formula has paid handsome dividends.
After six games, the Falcons are 4-2, with their lone conference loss to Old Bridge. Monroe avenged that defeat with a victory over the Knights last week. Their other loss is to perennial Monmouth County power Allentown.
“Since the first day of practice,” Pepe said, “I’ve preached to the girls that I want Monroe to develop a tradition for excellence through hard work. If we continue to develop players with this as their focus, we’ll become the program I envision.”
While a priority is to replace the goal production that was depleted by the graduation of seven of the top eight scorers, Pepe is fortunate that her team starts one of the best in the conference at preventing them. Senior Sam Capers, a fourth-year starter, is a major reason why the Falcons will have a decided edge in goal. She was just as skilled as a field hockey goaltender and will soon announce where she will play in college.
The top returning scorer is senior midfielder Cosaj Teuta (21 goals, 25 assists). After that, the team starts players who saw token action. The attack features junior Kristin Junquet, and joining Teuta in the midfield are juniors Samantha Clark and Victoria Clayton and sophomore Amanda Salvatore. In front of Capers on defense are seniors Alexandra Deitche, Geralyn Troncone and Sara Nale.
Other members on attack are seniors Sara Saieva, Julie Kelly and Nicole Russo. At midfield are sophomores Melissa Salvadore, Caress Fenton and Danielle Tomminelli, and on defense are senior Grace Lee, juniors Natalie Consola and Amanda Chin and sophomore Colleen Janzekovich.
“I’m pleased with how far we’ve come,” Pepe says, “but we have a ways to go before we can become established. I’m fortunate that we not only have dedicated athletes but outstanding support from the community.”
That includes a recreation program that has exploded onto the scene since lacrosse became a sport at MTHS.
“I can’t say enough positive things about the recreation program,” Pepe says. “When I leave practice, I get excited when I glance over to the lacrosse turf and see it packed with young girls holding sticks. Coaches from other teams continually commend us for our program. One even asked to speak with Jeff Marshall, who directs the rec program, about how he gets such a huge turnout.”
Monroe hosted Wall Township yesterday and will visit defending GMC champion South Brunswick today.