The biggest challenge for the Red Bank Regional High School girls lacrosse team was set even before the season opener. In the same division as traditional powerhouses Shore Regional and Rumson- Fair Haven, the Lady Bucs have a tough A Central schedule to battle through.
But first-year head coach Ashley Schulte shook things up, instituting a zone defense that helps keep the offensive attacks of Shore, Rumson-Fair Haven and other opponents at bay .
“The zone makes a difference. There’s a lot less running, and it’s easier to shut down the isolation,” Schulte said, adding that she doesn’t foresee using the man-to-man defense typically used by other teams in the area. “There’s no reason to chase people around.”
Zone defensive schemes require high levels of communication and teamwork, something the Lady Bucs have excelled at early this season. The return of seniors Clara Osmont, Hannah Doherty, Jade Saybolt and Natasha Hottman gave Red Bank Regional (6-3) a head start, while the other pieces are starting to fall into place.
Osmont set a school record with seven goals in one game against Holmdel. In the same game, which Red Bank Regional won, 14-2, sophomore Murphy Davis scored six goals.
“We have some individual players, but that’s not our basis for winning,” Schulte said. Doherty anchors the defense, and freshman goalie Mia Nelson is already proving herself at the varsity level. Against St. John Vianney on April 17, Nelson registered 25 saves on 30 shot attempts in a 15-5 win for Red Bank Regional.
“[Nelson] doesn’t look like a freshman in goal,” Schulte said. “Referees tend to tell me that they’re surprised she’s only a freshman.”
The Lady Bucs are making a difference off the field as well. During a program-wide “pink game” last Saturday, Red Bank Regional girls lacrosse raised more than $700 for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure cancer research foundation. Teams at every level, including varsity against Point Pleasant Borough, used a pink ball and asked attendees for donations. And to cap a successful fundraising effort, the Lady Bucs routed Point Boro, 19-8. Red Bank Regional jumped out to a 13-3 lead at halftime, allowing the defense to go to work and hold onto the victory.
Red Bank Regional was schedule for a rematch against St. John Vianney on April 24, followed by another game against division rival Rumson-Fair Haven on April 26. The Lady Bucs lost the first match-up with the Bulldogs, 19-5.
The team will host Colts Neck onApril 28 and then travel to St. Rose on May 1. Red Bank edged St. Rose, 12-11, in the first meeting between the A Central opponents.