Late rally lifts Peddie to semifinals

HIGHTSTOWN » When the deficit reached two with time running out, Peddie School girls lacrosse coach Gabby Moise just wanted her team to do what it does best.

The Falcons heeded the message and rallied for three goals in the final five minutes to advance in the Prep A tournament.

The game winner came with just 1:09 left off the stick of Maggie Cleary to give the No. 3 Falcons a hard-fought 14-13 win over No. 6 Kent Place on a sizzling Wednesday afternoon on the Falcons’ turf.

“It was all heart that got us back,” said Cleary. “There were about a thousand lead changes and once we got it all calmed down we knew we could get the win.”

Peddie (6-1) advances to the semifinals on Monday against top-seeded Oak Knoll. Oak Knoll was 10-1 heading into Wednesday’s game with Westfield.

Cleary, who is headed to the Naval Academy next fall, led the attack with six goals. Three players — Julia Gorajek, Alex Fanelli and Jordan Baerga — all scored twice with Abby Maley and Shelby Hinchman getting a goal.

Baerga had a pair of assists and Hinchman one. Brooke Perlman was solid in the cage down the stretch with 12 saves.

Kent Place was led by Victoria Blunden with four goals, Hannah Abere and Colleen McAloon each had three with single goals by Isabelle Gilfillian and Megan Sanford.

If the Falcons can play the way they did the final five minutes, Oak Knoll might be in for a surprise.

“Our attack continued to go to the cage,” said Moise. “We decided as a team to continue to fight for it and do the things we do best. That’s going to the cage and tightening up the defense.”

Kent Place (2-11) got the lead to 13-11 with 7:57 left in the game. The Dragons held the ball for a while and then Perlman came up with a save.

Gorajek, who is the third Gorajek to play at Peddie as her sister’s Caroline and Lauren preceded her, scored from the right side at the 4:59 mark to make it 13-12.

Cleary got the draw and went straight down the middle to the goal to tie the game at 13-13 with 1:36 left.

Peddie got the ensuing draw and Cleary was awarded a free position shot and she caged it for the game-winner.

Kent Place (2-11) Peddie (6-1) Goals —

Blunden 4, Abere 3, McAloon 3, Perry, Gilfillian, Sanford (KP). Cleary 6, Gorajek 2, Fanelli 2, Baerga 2, Maley, Hinchman (P). Gilfillian 2 (KP). Baerga 2, Hinchman (P).

24 (KP). 28 (P). Kaufman 10 (KP). Perlman

Assists — Shots — Saves —

12 (P).

7 9 6 — 13 5 — 14