By Tim Morris
This is the time of the season when all high school coaches want their teams to peak. It’s tournament time, with the one-and-done format that can make or break a season.
With the NJSIAA sectional tournament, Freehold Township High School’s girls lacrosse coach Patra Aquaviva is certain her team is peaking. A monumental comeback in the round of 16 at the Shore Conference Tournament convinced her of that.
Trailing sixth-seeded Ocean Township High School, 8-3, at halftime, the 11th-seeded Patriots rallied in the second half and outscored the Spartans, 8-2, to pull out an 11-10 win. Cai Martin converted a free shot after she was fouled with just six seconds left in regulation to steal the win for the Patriots.
“It came down to intensity in the second half,” Aquaviva said. “They wanted it. They played with more intensity and determination than we’ve seen all season.
“They won the draws and the 50/50s, which made a big difference.”
What stood out the most to Aquaviva was the attitude her club showed at halftime. She was proud to see the players didn’t hang their heads and pack it in. They remained positive and determined.
“I’m more proud of that than the win,” the coach said.
The first half was a nightmare in more ways than one for the Patriots. Injuries forced their coach to make lineup changes. When an injury took one of her attack players off the field, Aquaviva turned to Maddie Hoskins, who hadn’t played for the varsity team all year, and the results were remarkable.
“This was [Hoskins’] first game, and she made a difference with her hustle,” Acquaviva said.
There were other adjustments that worked.
“I moved Cai Martin from defense to midfield, and she gave us a huge spark,” the coach said. “Jessica Applegate stepped up on defense and filled Cai’s role.”
Martin provided the game-winner. She was fouled driving toward the goal and converted the free shot to send Freehold Township to the quarterfinals. She scored three goals and assisted on three.
The Patriots’ leading scorer was Michelle Pascrell, who had an eight-point game with four goals and four assists.
Raegen Dunn had two goals, and Victoria Camassa and Emily Zuccarelli scored one goal each.
Goalie Lindsay Smith made eight saves.
The Patriots’ quarterfinals opponent was No. 3-seed Red Bank Catholic High School. The Caseys had dismissed No. 14-seed Manalapan High School — the only other Freehold Regional High School District team in the tournaments — by a 22-8 score.
The Braves’ Erin Rotondo scored three goals in the loss, and Carly Niro had two goals and an assist.
Manalapan is 7-8.
Freehold Township (9-6) bounced back from the Red Bank Catholic loss to beat a good Manalapan team, 9-6, in a Shore Conference A North Division match. Pascrell had two goals and three assists, and Martin had another big game with three goals.
The Patriots are ranked No. 10 in power points in the NJSIAA South Jersey, Group IV bracket. The NJSIAA were slated to officially announce the brackets for the 16-team sectional tournaments May 16.
The sectional tournaments are scheduled to start May 18.
Colts Neck High School head coach Christine Latteri will get what she wants for the 2016 Cougars: postseason experience. Her Cougars are No. 13 in South Jersey, Group III and are playoff bound.
The Cougars (8-7) have only one senior with freshmen and sophomores playing important roles.
“It will be good experience to get into the tournament,” Latteri said.
Having the opportunity to experience postseason play will be important for a young team heading forward.
