Colleen Grady
GLEN RIDGE, NJ – With a solid returning nucleus, the Glen Ridge High School girls’ varsity lacrosse team seeks to have another stellar season, including making strong runs in the county and state tournaments.
Head coach Beth Larkin has emphasized a focus on daily improvement.
“I think our goals are always the same each year,” said Larkin, entering her ninth year at the helm. “Our expectations are always high, with a focus on getting better each day and if we are working as hard as we can, the results will take care of themselves. Of course, we look to going far during tournament time, but with a one-game-at-a-time emphasis.”
The Ridgers last season won the Essex County Tournament title, defeating Verona in the final, and finished as semifinalists in the NJSIAA North Jersey Group 1 state tournament, falling to Mountain Lakes, to end with a solid 14-7 record.
GRHS begins the season March 29 on the road against Montclair.
The returning players are senior attacker Maggie Smith, sophomore attacker Claire McMahon, junior attacker Morgan Connaghan, senior midfielders Colleen Grady, Galen Lew, and Juliann Lisovicz; senior defenders Merritt Davie and Meghan Marhan; and sophomore defender Jenny Lisovicz.
GRHS has experienced offensive contributors in Grady, Lew, Juliann Lisovicz and Smith. Grady last season had 82 goals, 23 assists, 42 groundballs, and 32 draw controls en route to being named to the First Team All-Stars & Stripes North, First Team All-Super Essex Conference Team, All-Essex County Tournament Team, First Team All-Group 1, and Third Team All-State.
Lew posted 60 goals , 20 assists, 55 groundballs, and 63 draw controls to make First Team All-Stars & Stripes North, First Team All-SEC, All-ECT Team and Second Team All-Group 1.
Lisovicz notched 57 goals, six assists, and 26 groudballls to earn honors on the Second Team All-Stars & Stripes North, First Team All-SEC, All-ECT Team; and Third Team All-Group 1.
Smith had 32 goals, 17 assists and 28 groundballs to make Second Team All-SEC.
Davie had 45 groundballs, 24 caused turnovers, and 43 draw controls and was selected Honorable Mention All-Stars & Stripes North and First Team All-SEC, while Meghan Marhan also made Second Team All-SEC and All-ECT Team.
The Ridgers also have three freshmen who will look to contribute. They are midfielder Gretchen Gilmore, and midfielders/defenders Madison Grady and Sarah Looney.
Raising their intensity, along with solid teamwork and chemistry, will prove to keys to another great season.
“We need to push ourselves harder this year in practices and games,” said Larkin. “Trust and supporting one another all over the field is also key.”
Schedule
March 29, Montclair (Away), 4 p.m.
April 1, Chatham (A), 11:30 a.m.
April 3, Northern Highlands (Home), 4 p.m.
April 5, Oak Knoll (H), 4 p.m.
April 7, Mahwah (A), 4 p.m.
April 13, West Essex (H), 4 p.m.
April 15, Pope John (H), 10 a.m.
April 19, Summit (A), 4 p.m.
April 20, Saddle River Day (A), 4:30 p.m.
April 27, Immaculate Heart Academy (H), 4 p.m.
May 1, Verona (A), 4 p.m.
May 3, Columbia (H), 4 p.m.
May 9, Morris Catholic (A), 4 p.m.
May 10, Millburn (H), 4 p.m.
May 13, Ridgewood (A), noon
May 15, Mountain Lakes (H), 4 p.m.
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