Allentown sets up third showdown with Notre Dame

ALLENTOWN » It wasn’t Jackson Liberty’s impressive record or potent attack that had the Allentown girls lacrosse team wanting to come out quickly and take care of business.

No disrespect to the Lions, but the Redbirds have been chomping at the bit to get back to the sectional final for nearly a year.

With a return date against Notre Dame as the prize, Allentown was nearly perfect in every aspect, taking an impressive 15-4 win over Jackson Liberty in the Central Jersey III semifinals on a beautiful Wednesday afternoon on the grass in Allentown.

So now the stage is set for the sectional final between No. 1 seed Allentown (14-4) and No. 2 Notre Dame (13-3) on Friday with the first draw set for 4 p.m. in Allentown.

“Everyone knew what we had to do to win,” said Allentown’s Marin Hartshorn. “We came in with a lot of aggression and we were just fighting to get back to the finals and play Notre Dame again. After last year’s loss it was a hard loss and we are ready to play them again.”

Ironically, the match will be played on the same day as last year, May 25.

This will be the third meeting of the two Colonial Valley Conference powers and no doubt the most important one.

ND won last year, 8-6, but in the two meetings this year, Allentown won, 7-3, in the regular season and, 5-2, in the Mercer County Tournament semifinals.

“I think it’s really important as a coach not to let your girls get ahead of themselves,” said Allentown coach Jen Garavente. “I told them this game was not just about winning but winning and leaving the game with confidence because of what’s next and we were able to do that.”

Right from the start it was total domination by the Redbirds.

Morgan Vaccaro and Alyssa Castellano paced the attack as both had a hat trick, Hartshorn had a pair of goals as did Kylie Reed, who was exceptional all game. Brianna Samuels and Kaitlyn Bergan also caged two goals and Isabella Walker had one.

Hartshorn had four assists, Samuels two and one each by Walker, Reed and Kennedy Munster.

Jackson Liberty, which did not have a shot until 7:30 remained in the first half, saw Jade Rivera score three and Tsering Badushov one. The Lions

got a great game from Bailey Havens in goal with 10 saves.

“This year the defense has really come together as a team,” senior defender Gianna Skowronski said. “We have been playing together for four years and it has really clicked. We trust each other on and off the field. We know we have each other’s back. We are all working toward the same goal of winning and we are trying our hardest to get there.”

Jackson Lib. (14-5) Allentown (14-4) Goals —

Rivera 3, Badushov (JL). Castellano 3, Vaccaro 3, Reed 2, Hartshorn 2, Samuels 2, Bergan 2, Walker (A).

Conolly, HMcGee (JL). Hartshorn 4, Samuels 2, Walker, Reed, Munster (A). 6 (JL). 24 (A).

Havens 10 (JL). Howell 0, Rekulak 1 (A).

Assists — Shots — Saves — 1 3—4 9 6 — 15