Brett Carroll
Staff Writer
The time is ripe to be playing your best now that the state tournaments have begun.
That is the case for the Freehold Township High School girls’ lacrosse team.
“We’ve progressed throughout the season,” Freehold Township coach Patra Acquaviva said. “We never stopped progressing. We had a couple tough losses and we really reevaluated, made adjustments, and moved on. It’s an ideal situation. You want to start peaking in the postseason.”
Freehold Township was at its best on May 17 when the Patriots eliminated Howell High School, 20-11, in the quarterfinal round of the Central Jersey, Group 4 state tournament at the Marlboro Recreation Center field.
That victory lifted Freehold Township’s record to 14-4 and into the semifinals of the state sectional tournament. Freehold Township was to play the winner of the quarterfinal game between Brick Memorial High School and Rancocas Valley Regional High School in the semifinals this week.
The Central Jersey, Group 4 final was to be played this week at a day to be determined.
Freehold Township, according to the coach, still needs to sharpen some skills.
“You know, just comradery and bringing it all together,” Acquaviva said. “At this point, our game is relatively strong. Our defense has come a long way.”
Acquaviva has high expectations for her team, which advanced to the Central Jersey, group 4 state final last year where the Patriots fell to Rancocas Valley, 14-3.
“We want to make it as far as we did last year, if not, further,” Acquaviva said. “We want to make it at least to the sectional final. Like I said, we’re peaking in the postseason, so hopefully, we have what it takes to take it all the way.”
Acquaviva has confidence that Freehold Township can make a run due to the play of some key girls.
“We have our midfielders,” Acquaviva said. “[Junior] Kristen Murphy, [senior] Cai Martin, and [senior] Michelle Pascrell. Our goalie, [senior] Lindsay Smith has been doing extremely well. Our defenders, Brianna Coldonato, and Sarah Fakult have been doing a great job as well.”