A’town looks to knock off Manasquan in semifinals

While the Allentown girls lacrosse program has a pretty formidable attack, it has been the defense rising to the occasion and setting the tempo.

The No. 3 Redbirds (14-5) will need both the defense and the attack as it heads to No. 2 Manasquan (14-5) in a South Jersey Group II semifinal in Manasquan on Friday with the first draw set for 3:30 p.m.

“The key against Manasquan will be capitalizing on our opportunities and maintaining momentum,’’ said Allentown coach Jen Chiusano. “Manasquan is a fast, physical team, and it is going to be important that we play hard, play smart, and we collectively step up as a team.’’

These two met in the semifinals last year in Allentown, and it was an overtime goal by Alyssa Castellano sending the Redbirds to the sectional final.

So, the Warriors will be looking for a revenge.

“I keep reminding my girls that we are absolutely capable of winning this game and this tournament overall,’’ declared Chiusano. “Manasquan is an excellent team, but so are we. We have what it takes; we just need to execute and utilize our strengths. If we do that, I am confident that we will come out on top.’’

One of the reasons will definitely be the continued steady play of the defense.

“We have come together as a team and it has been a great year for us,’’ said senior defender Megan Tanner. “It means a lot to be going to the semifinals and we know it’s going to take a lot of hard work to advance, but I can’t wait for the challenge.’’

One of the things over the years that has made every challenge the Redbirds face a little easier is the family ties that have existed in this program.

Megan Tanner knows the program from her sister, Shelby, who she will join next year at Rowan.

There’s another Castellano on the team in sophomore Lauren; the Mintchwarners, Lane and Ava; and freshman Delaney Nolan, who scored a career-high seven goals in the quarterfinal win over Ocean Township, has her sister, Emily, on the team.

“She is always by my side,’’ Delaney said of Emily, a senior. “She is always telling me what I can do better and she is always keeping me going. Especially when I didn’t believe in myself, she believed in me.’’

When she is not in the game, Emily Nolan is the booming voice of motivation to her teammates on the sidelines.

It has been that family vibe around the team that has brought this team a lot closer.

“I love this team and we are all well bonded,’’ said Megan Tanner. “We have such a good time playing together and we hang out off the field. There is a great team chemistry here.’’

The harmony is obvious in the attacking zone as Jolee Roth leads with 65 goals, Chloe Conti has 42 and 48 assists, Delaney Nolan has 38 goals, Abby von Harten caged 32 and Mya Lourenco chimes in with 22 and 21.

“We have a lot of people that can score and I think when we get the opportunity we can capitalize on them,’’ said Delaney Nolan. “I’m really excited to be going to the semifinals, we have worked so hard to get to this point and we want to move on.’’

It won’t be easy, but with an opportunistic attack, a steady defense and the family ties, you can’t count the Redbirds out.