By Jaclynkelli Kronemberg
TopLaxRecruits.com, Posted 4/17/16

COLD SPRING HARBOR , N.Y. – It was one of nine games played Saturday at Cold Spring Harbor involving nationally-ranked girls’ teams, but few could match the excitement of the Garden City-Moorestown thriller.

Jenn Medjid took a feed from Kerry Defliese off a Katie Muldoon pass and scored with 3.6 swconds left in overtime to give Garden City (NY) an 8-7 thriller over Moorestown (NJ) at the Gains For Brains tournament at Cold Spring Harbor.

The Trojans improved to 6-1 while Moorestown – No. 11 in the STEPS Lacrosse Rankings – fell to 5-1. In all, Long Island teams ranked by STEPS Lacrosse won the battle over New Jersey ranked teams, 3-1.

The game was one of nine Saturday as 18 of the top-ranked girls’ teams in the country from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut competed in an event that raises money to benefit the Making Headway Foundation, dedicated to the care and comfort of children with brain and spinal cord tumors. The event was founded by MSG Varsity’s Andrew (Raff) Rappaport.

“This was a great team effort,” said Medjid, tallied two goals and one assist.. “We played really well together. We knew Moorestown was such a good team so we just prepared really well and we finished it.

“Shooting the game winning goal was really nerve wreaking. It was just having confidence in my teammates and finishing strong. It means a lot to play in this tournament. It is for a good cause. We wanted to really come out and play our best to support this cause.”

Garden City led, 5-4, at halftime, but the Quakers forged ahead, 7-6, on goals by Kayla Frank (with 13:15 left) and Genie Santarpio (11:58 left). Michaela Bruno tied the game with 6:59 left in regulation. Both defenses stepped up for the remaining time sending the game into overtime.

Bruno tallied three goals and one assist and Defliese tallied one goal and one assist for Garden City.

“I thought this was a great team effort,” said Garden City head coach Diane Chapman. “That’s one of the processes of our team. We’ve had great games but this was such a complete game from start to finish on both ends of the field.

“ Our defense played phenomenal. Moorestown is such an aggressive, skilled and fast team. Our offense did some great things. We spread out trying to break down their aggressive defense. We got some great looks but their goalie made some incredible saves. I’m really proud of the way my offense persevered and kept going. It’s for gains for brains, to be a part of this is such an incredible honor.”

Jessica Goralski grabbed 13 saves and Genie Santarpio tallied three goals for Moorestown.

“We are honored to be a part of this tournament and fight for an amazing cause,” said Moorestown head coach Deanna Knobloch. “These kids are suffering from this awful disease and anything we can do to help cure it; we are more than happy to do.”

Garden City 8, Moorestown 7

GC: 5-2-1-8
MT: 4-3-0-7

GC: Michaela Bruno 3G, 1A; Jenn Medjid 2G, 1A; Kerry Defliese 1G, 1A; Katie Muldoon 1G; Celia Concannon 1G
MT: Genie Santarpio 3G; Quinn Nicolai 2G; Kayla Frank 1G; Annika Nissen 1G; Olivia Alvarez 1A
Saves: Julianna Kubler (GC) 5; Jessica Goralski (MT) 13