By Warren Rappleyea
North Brunswick Township High School’s girls lacrosse team looks for its second Greater Middlesex Conference (GMC) championship in three seasons this spring.
The Raiders, who were 15-7 a year ago, seemed on the verge of winning the GMC for a second straight year, but Old Bridge High School rallied and then scored a late goal to claim the title. The shock from that loss carried over into North Brunswick’s opening-round game in the NJSIAA North Jersey, Group IV tournament, where the Raiders were uncharacteristically thwarted by Hillsborough High School.
“The GMC loss definitely carried over,” coach Danielle Bussiere said. “Old Bridge and its coaches did a great job. Our girls were disappointed, and we’re looking to use that as an incentive for this season.”
With arguably the most offensive firepower in the GMC, there is plenty of reason for optimism. With a midfield that consists of Sam Mehalick, Tatum Altman and Tori Tucci, the Raiders are able to control play and quickly transition to attack mode.
Mehalick, a four-year starter who has committed to Marist College, is the Raiders’ all-time scoring leader with 300 goals and 89 assists. Last season she led the team with 126 goals and added 36 assists.
Altman is equally dangerous. The West Chester University of Pennsylvania commit scored 102 goals last season and topped North Brunswick with 66 assists. Also a four-year starter, Altman has piled up 232 career goals and holds the team record with 131 (and counting) assists.
If that’s not enough, Tucci also lines up in the middle. The junior scored her 100th career goal last spring en route to a 65-goal, 33-assist year. Tucci has committed to play for Wagner College in the fall of 2017.
Bussiere expects opposing teams to ramp up their defensive coverage of Mehalick, Altman and Tucci this season.
“They’ve been face guarded before, but we think it will be more intense this season,” the coach said. “We’re working on that in practice. We’ll be setting more picks and working on other things to help get them open.”
The increased attention on the midfielders should create opportunities for junior attackers Sophia Galioto, Nicole Gutierrez and Ianna Sukhram, who each scored one goal last year. Sophomores Elena Vargas (eight goals), Cassie Oake (six goals) and Katie Panitch should provide additional punch up front. Junior midfielder Rhica Austin scored nine goals and added two assists.
North Brunswick has a quietly efficient defense anchored by rearguard Megan Illes, another four-year starter. Joining Illes are juniors Angela Kassous and Rebecca Amoako. The versatile Oake will also see some time on defense. Sophomore goalie Natalie Chapman had a solid freshman year, turning aside more than 200 shots.
“We’ve been focusing mainly on our defense so far,” Bussiere said. “They have to go up against our offense every day, and it’s making them even better.”
