Brett Carroll
Staff Writer
The Allentown High School girls’ lacrosse team has played with “high intensity” as the state tournament moves forward.
Allentown advanced to the final of the Central Jersey, Group 3 state sectional tournament when the top-seeded Redbirds eliminated fourth-seeded Jackson Liberty High School with a 15-4 victory on May 23 in Allentown.
The victory in the state sectional semifinals improved Allentown’s record to 14-4 for the season.
Allentown coach Jen Garavente credited Allentown’s intensity and togetherness as keys to the victory over Jackson Liberty.
“There was a lot of pressure with our season on the line so the girls played with high intensity,” Garavente said. “Everybody came together. The defense did their part. Goalies did their part. Midfielders controlled the ball. We did it as a team.”
Garavente expected her girls to play with intensity, confidence and to be dominant in the state tournament.
“Going forward,” Garavante said. “If we play together, and play with intensity and play with confidence and not be intimidated, I’m really hoping that we can be dominant.”
Garavente praised some of her key players such as senior midfielder Marin Hartshorn and juniors Kaitlyn Bergen and Abby Howell.
“Its not just a few people,” Garavante said. “We have a lot of depth and everybody has stepped up and we need everybody to continue to step up.”
One of those leaders, Hartshorn, stated that preparation would be the key to future success.
“We’ve been preparing for this the past whole year,” Hartshorn said. “Honestly, we just need to play as a team and keep doing what we’ve been doing and we’ll be alright. It would mean the world to win the state sectionals.”
