By Justin Feil, The Packet Group
Alex Moore has taken the jump, and the Allentown High School girls lacrosse team is along for lift off.
Moore, the sophomore attack, scored nine goals to go with two assists in Allentown’s 16-3 win over Monmouth in the South Jersey Group II quarterfinals Friday. Her nine goals put her at 101 for the season, good for fourth in the state as of Monday.
”My main goal in lacrosse is to play DI college for sure,” Moore said. “My goal is to get some state championships, definitely the Mercer County championship. I cannot do anything without my team. We keep getting better and better. I hope we win some state championships and get better and better each year.”
The Redbirds helped Moore’s race for the top of the state scoring list, while also keeping its breakout season going against Monmouth, with stellar defense to match the usual potent offensive output. Monmouth’s leading scorer Tara Patti, who is ahead of Moore in goals scored this year, was held to one goal, by an Allentown defense and first-year goalie Nicole Gerling, who made 22 saves.
”She played freshman last year and was a defender,” said Allentown head coach Mary Ellen McCarthy. “I graduated a goalie and I knew we needed a goalie. I asked if she would play goal. She’s never played lacrosse goalie before. The things she’s doing in goal are phenomenal. Eighteen games is her whole experience in goal. We’re able to challenge her at practice, and Nicole is listening and determined to get better. She’s gotten better and better in practice.
”My defense around her is young and they’re challenged. We have kids in positions they weren’t in last year. Kelsey Lamb, Kelsey Chandonnet, Audrey Miller, they’re playing solid D, getting balls, stepping up to the competition and really putting pressure on.”
And when the Allentown defense does its job, opponents are in trouble with a high-flying Redbirds offense.
”The team is so much better now,” McCarthy said. “Since the beginning of the season and last season, the team is so different. They’re passing the ball better. The team complements Alex well. They’re clicking offensively. Ally Bulk has about 45 goals. Maddie Collins has like 40. I have other girls who have 20-30 goals. We have a multitude of girls scoring. We’re becoming a more offensive threat as the season progresses.”
As the Redbirds put it together at both ends of the field, the results have come. They reached the Mercer County Tournament semifinals and were scheduled to get their shot at Rumson, a top-10 team in the state, in Tuesday’s sectional semifinals.
”I’m happy with the progress,” McCarthy said. “We were 1-5 not too long ago. We’re 11-7 and in the semifinals, so it’s been incredible. It’s really exciting. It was a lot of hard work and a lot of practice, and determination to change it. The assistant coach and I knew the talent we had and we had to get them to click.”
Moore is the center piece of the offense. She does a little bit of everything, but her primary job is scoring goals. She scored 62 last year, but made a big jump this season.
”She’s experiencing growing pains,” McCarthy said. “She’s never had me as a coach. I’ve been fortunate in my career to coach some talented young ladies. Alex reminds me of some of them. It’s my job to motivate Alex and get the best from her. It’s my job to help her grow as a player and a young lady.
”She’s quick. She understands the game. She sees the lanes. She gets open. Her teammates trust her and pass the ball. She’s not afraid to go to goal. She goes right to goal. She really has changed throughout the season. She’s really matured and become a complete player.”
Moore gives McCarthy credit for helping to develop her as a player, and to her teammates for entrusting her with plenty of shots.
Said Moore: “She works us a ton in practice, motivates us, does a lot to make each of us better. She pulled the team together to make everyone the best player we can be.”
Across the board, Allentown has seen its players change. Moore is noticing a difference as the team gains respect locally and now state-wide.
”It was a rough start,” Moore said. “It was a slow few games and our chemistry picked up and we started working a lot better together. It was a different atmosphere with the team. We were working better with each other and we were respecting each other’s jobs and positions and looking to make each other better.”
The Redbirds won eight of 10 games going into the state tournament. They opened with a 20-6 win over Neptune. Moore had seven goals in that win. Collins had five. Bulk delivered four goals and two assists. And Brianna O’Leary had two goals and four assists. Juliana Valesi had a goal and two assists as well as eight ground balls. Sydney Quinn had a goal and assist.
”We’re working a lot harder now,” Moore said. “We have phenomenal talent. It starts with working a lot better than we were last year. Each game, we’re seeing something we’re doing better. It’s a big leap from last year. We have freshmen that came up and they’ve been unbelievable. A few freshmen that start have helped out. Seniors, they motivate us before every game. They contribute a lot. I don’t know how well we’d do without them.
”We have great leadership on the team,” she added. “No one puts each other down. We all understand our role on the team. We’re all looking to contribute to the win. It’s not tough being a sophomore. There are other great sophomores on the team, and juniors and seniors for that matter. We’re definitely a well-rounded team. It’s not hard at all being a sophomore. I work well with all the girls and we all work well together.”
This summer, Moore will play for the South Jersey Pink Select 2013 club team that will allow her to showcase her skills at tournaments out of state. First, however, she’s intent on finishing up her season with Allentown and helping the Redbirds extend their leap.
”We had high expectations for the year,” Moore said. “We came out the first game with a win and saw little highlights of what Allentown could do. We had high hopes and so far we’ve been very successful. We’re looking to go farther in states.”

