New Egypt High School’s Makenzie Magnotta (1) pressures Red Bank Catholic High School’s Catherine Luick (8) as Luick takes a shot on goal during the Caseys’ 16-5 victory over the Warriors on April 13 at Count Basie Field in Red Bank. Cortney Natalicchio, New Egypt High School’s girls lacrosse all-time scorer, is headed toward a milestone as she closes in on 200 career goals before embarking on a college career at NCAA Division III power The College of New Jersey.
Natalicchio has 164 career goals as the Warriors are off to a 2-3 start in 2012.
“She is an awesome pressure player,” Warriors coach Katie Sawicki said. “I want her to have the ball to make things happen. She is a good leader and is handling it well.”
Natalicchio is one of only four seniors on a team that has weathered a tough start in 2012. The Warriors have lost to Holy Cross of Delran, Moorestown and Red Bank Catholic, and defeated Cherry Hill East, 19-18, in double overtime on a goal by, of course, Natalicchio, and Rancocas Valley, 13-9.
New Egypt High School’s Jessica Andreula (8) tangles with Red Bank Catholic High School’s Emily Kerekes during an April 13 lacrosse game in Red Bank. PHOTOS BY JEFF GRANIT staff The Warriors this week played Lawrence on April 17 and Northern Burlington on April 18 in Burlington County Scholastic League action.
Natalicchio is the lone scorer back from last season. The other seniors are Julie Ciak and Kassandra Stillwell on defense, and Danielle Solinski as goalkeeper.
Kaylee Waldron and Christina Peacock shared the goalkeeping duties last year before graduating.
“Julie has been the most valuable defender the last two years and has taken 30 to 40 charges,” Sawicki said.
Junior home Emma Bunce played earlier in her career at Northern Burlington before transferring to New Egypt.
“Every day, she’s been an awesome player,” Sawicki said of Bunce. “It’s exciting to see youth and how they can make things work with an experienced team. Last year we were experienced and it did not always pan out the way it should have. This year we have no expectations, but we get the best out of them.”
Danielle Andreula, a junior attack, was the leading scorer for the New Egypt field hockey team that was 16-3 last fall.
“She is stepping up to her new role in lacrosse as a midfielder,” Sawicki said of Andreula. The coach said junior home Nicole Miller “is coming into her own” with good speed.
“What helps is having other girls who know how to play and can handle the pressure so teams aren’t focusing just on me,” Natalicchio said. “A lot of it now is players getting used to each other, because a lot of them have never had varsity experience. But a lot of the girls are dedicated and really athletic, so it’s been easy for them to catch on.”
Two sophomores are also helping — Brianne Lammerding and Makenzie Magnotta.
“Lammerding uses the skills she has, andMagnotta plays center and a key role as a great defender and communicator,” Sawicki said.
Freshman low defender Jessica Andreula “is completely fearless, with great instincts,” according to the coach.
What the team needs more of right now is a sense of teamwork, Sawicki said, adding that her players “have to realize they are all in this together.”