Big second half carries ND to sectional final
LAWRENCEVILLE >> Bryan Fisher’s message to his team at halftime was a simple one.
The veteran coach reminded his Irish of all they have been through this season, how much he cares about them and how he wants them to have a shot at a championship.
The words resonated through every player on the field and sidelines as they led to a dominating second half, sending second-seeded Notre Dame to the Central Jersey Group III sectional final after a 9-4 win over Colonial Valley Conference rival thirdseeded Allentown on Monday afternoon.
Notre Dame (15-4) meets top-seeded Red Bank Regional on Thursday after the Bucs knocked off fourth-seeded West Windsor-Plainsboro North, 1410, in the other semifinal.
“I told them that I cared about them and that I love them,” said Fisher of his halftime words. “This has been such an emotional year and I wanted this team to get a shot at a championship. If any team deserves a shot, they deserve it.”
Allentown (8-8) controlled most of the play in the first half, and despite some missed opportunities, the Redbirds held a 4-3 lead at intermission.
The second half was all Notre Dame as it scored 22 seconds into the half and played an aggressive defense that shut out Allentown.
“This one hurts, especially because we have been through a lot of tough games this season and this was an opportunity to show that we’ve learned from those games,” said Allentown coach Jen Garavente. “This is a tough way to end it.”
Notre Dame’s secondhalf defense set the tone.
“We showed on defense in the second half that we just wanted this game,” said ND’s all-around player, Ava Scudillo, who recently went over 100 career points. “On defense, we played so hard it just pushed the attack to work even harder.”
The attack started working right off the second half draw as Jess Pisani took the draw and scored 22 second into the half to tie the game at 4-4.
The Irish scored five more in the half to advance.
ND was led by Julia Dell’Angelo with two goals and an assist, Liz Barrett had two touches and two goals, Gabby Skowronski had a pair of goals and Emily Guenther had a pair.
Nicole Burney was again stellar in the cage for the Irish.
“We all love each other so much and it shows on the field through our chemistry,” said Dell’Angelo, who has 38 goals and 22 assists. “Coach Fish always knows how to bring out the best in us. When we step on that field we need to be confident. There’s a fine line between confidence ad arrogance, we push through our challenges.”
Allentown, which got goals from Brianna Samuels, Kaitlyn Bergen, Morgan Bell and Isabella Walker, had some chances to open things up in the second half but it wasn’t to be.
“We asked them to play 25 minutes of Notre Dame lacrosse,” said Fisher of the second half. “That was some big time lacrosse and with all the emotion this was a great day. Going to a sectional final for three straight years is exciting.”
Allentown (8-8) Notre Dame (15-4) 4 0 — 4 3 6 — 9
Goals: A: Walker, Bell, Bergen, Samuels. ND: Dell’Angelo 2, Guenther 2, G. Skowronski 2, Barrett 2, Pisani. Assists: A: Vaccaro, Castellano, Walker. ND: Losier, Dell’Angelo
Shots: A: 8, ND: 18, Saves: A: Howell 8, Rekulak. ND: Burney 4.