Teams like the Manalapan High School girls lacrosse squad are best to be avoided come tournament time. That’s because the Braves are a team that is peaking at the right time and playing better than their record.
In the tournament world of one-anddone, teams like this are the last ones a higher-seeded club wants to see.
Manalapan has won five of its last six games, fitting the bill of a team peaking when it matters most.
“The season has been a good one so far,” Braves head coach Kerry Eisman said. “While we’ve lost some close games, we have certainly been competitive.” Among the losses are two to undefeated Wall High School (15-0). They have also played defending Shore Conference A North Division co-champions Freehold Township High School and Colts Neck High School close.
A good sign for the Braves (8-5) was their signature win on April 28 when they defeated Howell High School, 10-8. Howell beat the Braves the first time around, 13-10, on April 5.
Five different players scored for Manalapan, with Carly Niro collecting the hat trick. Liz Eckoff, Cassidy McBride and Brianne Nealon each scored two goals, and Brianne Wilkinson notched the other score. Goalie Tabitha Gravius made 13 saves. McBride, a co-captain with Nealon, has scored 46 goals this season and is closing in on 100 for her career (she has 96 through play last week). Niro (29) and Erin Rotundo (19) have helped balance the attack with their goal scoring.
Rotundo is the top playmaker with 14 assists. Wilkinson and Niro have 11 each.
The Braves have been able to win games by maintaining possession, which has required winning ground balls and the draw, as well as making the right passes.
Gravius, a three-year starter, has been every bit as good as expected from someone with her experience. Eisman called her a “great leader.” Marissa Lerner has been her backup.
In front of Gravius, Marissa Fox, Alisa Suarez and Kelly Mazzotta anchor the defense.
Eisman was concerned about how the team would gel, having lost some key players to graduation. That isn’t a concern now, and the team is as balanced as he wanted it to be.
“The team is a close team and, more importantly, really nice to be around,” the coach said.
Manalapan has three big games this week. It hosted Freehold Township on May 5 and stays at home to play Colts Neck on May 8. The Braves step out of the division on May 9 to play at Holmdel High School.
Teams have to be .500 or better after play on May 10 to make the state playoffs. Freehold Township (11-3) and Howell (5-4) are also above .500 heading into play this week. The cutoff for teams to be .500 or better to make the Shore Conference Tournament is May 11.