By Anthony Caruso
TopLaxRecruits.com, Posted 4/12/14
MOORESTOWN, N.J. – The Moorestown girls’ lacrosse team knew it had a national powerhouse to contend with today.
Vero Beach, Florida’s, eight-time state champion, came to Moorestown with a national ranking (No. 7 in the Brine/TopLaxRecruits Rankings), and the pedigree to end the Quakers 56-game win streak.
In the first half, the Fighting Indians seized a 5-3 lead. But the Quakers dominated in the second half and closed with 12 unanswered goals to take a 13-5 win.
“I wish we had more games like this today,” said Moorestown head coach Deanna Knobloch. “These games bring out the crowds, and I think it’s great for New Jersey. This also brought out additional press, as well.”
Vero Beach is getting ready for the post-season as the clear favorite to win another state title. The Indians were coming off an 11-9 loss Friday to No. 9 St. Anthony’s on Long Island. Its only other defeat as a 12-8 loss to No. 1 McDonogh, which has won 102 in a row.
Indians senior Katy Pridemore had three goals of her team’s five goals. She returned on Wednesday after missing a few weeks with an injury.
Pridemore’s younger sister, Hannah Pridemore, also scored, and Hannah Palau added the other goal as the Indians jump out to a 4-1 lead.
The Quakers would make it 4-2 with back-to-back goals by Melanie Becker. Then, right before halftime, Sydney Dalmass made it 4-3.
“The first half, we struggled a lot with their defense,” said Moorestown senior Marie McCool, who had all three of her goals in the second half. “It was more like a zone than a man-to-man defense, so we couldn’t take it one v one.
“We were really struggling with that. Our coaches did a great job of settling us down and told us exactly what they wanted us to do.”
Pridemore make it 5-3 to open the second half, but Vero Beach was shut down for the rest of the game.
“No, we didn’t do anything different,” said Knobloch. “We had the opportunities, which limited the Vero Beach chances.”
Moorestown’s Alex O’Donnell and Adriana Pedino chipped in with two goals each to increase the lead.
Jessica Goralski, a freshman, started in goal for Moorestown and made some key saves throughout the game.
“I think she played awesome,” said McCool. “I was in her shoes as a freshman, playing against a national powerhouse. I was so nervous, but she was so good at holding her composure and made some amazing saves.”
Moorestown 13, Vero Beach 5
Moorestown 3-10-13
Vero Beach 4-1- 5
Moorestown
Frankie Angeleri 1g
Melanie Becker 2g
Abbey Brooks 1g
Sydney Dalmass 1g
Lauren Martinelli 1a
Marie McCool 3g, 1a
Tristan McGinley 1a
Alex O’Donnell 2g
Adriana Pendino 2g, 1a
Kayla Pruitt 1g, 1a
Kierstyn Voiro 1a
Jessica Goralski 2 saves
Vero Beach
Katy Pridemore 3g
Hannah Pridemore 1g
Hannah Palau 1g