By Chris Goldberg
TopLaxRecruits.com, Posted 1/20/14

A group of 240 of the top 2016 and 2017 girls’ lacrosse players from the East Coast competed Saturday and Sunday in the Nike Elite 120 at The Indoor Sports Pavilion in Randolph, N.J.

The invite-only event drew 94 Division I coaches as 120 players in each class participated in SPARQ Testing in four events and then a two-day championship tournament.

One of the highlight players was Garden City (N.Y.) 2016 midfielder Katie Muldoon (Long Island Top Guns), who had the top times in two of the SPARQ events (20-yard dash at 2.96 seconds and 5-10-10-5 Agility at 6.5 seconds) while adding a fifth in the Powerball (40.1 feet). She was 13th in the Vertical Leap (27.8). Muldoon – who competed in the event last year – also was a member of the 2016 team champion Eagles.

“I was familiar with the testing because of last year, however, it was a little different this year,” said Muldoon. “Regardless, I wanted to do even better this year, which I was able to do because of my winter track training. I was really excited about my results and it helped me gain confidence as the games began.”

Muldoon said her team, guided by Radnor (PA) coach Brooke Fritz, worked together.

“Our team was successful because of our teamwork,” Muldoon said. “Our coach told us ‘make our teammates look even better then yourself’ which really made us work together and play like a team. I thought I played well because I didn’t worry about the number of goals I scored; instead, I worked as hard as I could and hustled to help my team be successful.

“From this tournament I learned that playing as a team is much more important than playing like 11 individuals. I learned that with hard work anything can be accomplished and my team thought the same which is why we did so great.”

“It was very competitive, but I think I did pretty well,” said Emily Mathewson, a 2016 attack from Brandywine Majors (PA) and Garnet Valley High. “I was a little nervous seeing all those coaches, but our team played like the ‘comeback kids’ and made it to the semifinals where we lost by one goal.”

Mathewson enjoyed competing in the SPARQ testing for the second time in less than a year. She first was tested last summer at the Nike Ride.

This time she excelled, testing as the top 2016 player in the vertical leap with a leap of 27.8 inches. Players also were tested in the Kneeling Powerball (testing core strength).

“It was awesome doing the SPARQ again,” Mathewson said. “It was the same four stations I did at Nike. I think my basketball skills came into play for me.”

Mathewson said she is close to committing to a Division I college.

“I am finalizing the list and I will be making a decision very soon,” she said. “It was awesome to get one last look. And it was a really nice tune-up to get ready for the school season.”

Natasha Rahal, a 2017 midfielder from ADK and Queensbury High (N.Y.), said she learned a lot about her skills from the event.

“One of my goals coming in was to just improve on anything and always do my best,” she said. “I really enjoyed it; it made me realize everything I need to work on, and I realized all my hard work will pay off.”

Rahal said it was challenging at first to blend in with new players, but she and her team adjusted.

“Sometimes players wanted to just go to the goal, but when we passed we did well,” she said. “There were a lot of good players out there.

“I learned I needed to have more confidence in myself in dodging and talking a little more. I got to know all the girls on the team and I tried to create a bond. I wanted to show the coaches I could get open and when I had the ball I wanted to spread out the whole team.”

Rahal was satisfied with her performance in the SPARQ Testing.

“I was thinking about how I scored on the testing and I don’t think it shows how much I hustle on the field,” she said. “When I am out on the field and I’m surrounded by all these other great athletes, it gives me more motivation to be faster and stronger than everyone else.”

Did she notice the coaches on the sidelines?

“I knew a lot of coaches were watching, but once I was playing I was fine,” she said. “Having the coaches looking makes me want to do even better.”

Concluded Muldoon: “This tournament is a great one for recruiting. It exposes you to many different coaches and the level of play is very competitive. I am in the middle of the whole process and I am visiting all different schools to keep my options open. I am looking for the school that will fit me best both academically and athletically.”

2016 SPARQ winners
20-yard dash (IN SECONDS) Katie Muldoon (Long Island Top Guns) 2.96
5-10-10-5 Agility (IN SECONDS) Katie Muldoon (Long Island Top Guns) 6.5
Powerball (IN FEET) Maddie McDaniel (MD United) 40.1
Vertical Leap (IN INCHES) Emily Mathewson (Brandywine Majors) 27.8

2017 SPARQ winners
20-yd Dash (IN SECONDS) Brittany Faye Bruno, (t3) 2.58
5-10-10-5 Agility (IN SECONDS) Hannah Cermack (STEPS) 6.75
Powerball (IN FEET) Molly Baechler (South Jersey Select) 45.6
Vertical Leap (IN INCHES) Amelia Cole (Capital Blue 2017) 25.1