Steinert set to be tested by Notre Dame
Steinert girls lacrosse has ruled the Colonial Valley Conference Patriot Division for the last several years, and if the first few games are any indication, it’s not planning on giving up control.
The Spartans are 5-1 overall and 3-0 in the division.
They have 15 players back from the championship season of 2023, and they will be relying on that experience the rest of the way as Steinert as added CVC foes Notre Dame and Robbinsville to the schedule.
The ND game is set for Wednesday at Steinert. It will be good test for the Spartans.
“It will certainly be a challenge as Notre Dame is a talented, well-coached team,’’ said Steinert coach Mike Newton. “They have been a staple at the top of the CVC for a while now.
We are looking forward to the challenge and seeing what we are capable of. These types of games are the ones you look forward to playing.’’
When you play Steinert there’s a good chance you might think you are seeing double as they have two sets of twins on the team, and each set plays the same position.
Emily and Lauren Hardiman are on the attack, while Katie and Ali Longo are on the defensive side of the field. Both sets of twins are seniors.
The Hardimans and senior Alyssa Hendricksen lead the Spartans as all have 12 goals. Senior Brenna Riddell has seven goals, nine assists and 15 caused turnovers. Senior Brooke Sinay has 10 goals, five assists and 16 draw controls.
Upgrading the schedule somewhat as the program continues to grow gives the team a chance to prove it belongs.
“You always want to go out and play the best teams in the league and see where you stack up,’’ said Newton. “This is one of the goals we had for the season and has been a motivating factor for the team. We wanted to challenge ourselves as players and coaches.’’
With ND on the horizon, it appears the challenge has been accepted.
Big Red Finally Home
Lawrenceville was on the road for eight straight games and certainly enjoyed some home cooking as the Big Red downed Blair, 18-2.
“We have had eight straight away games, and I think that has taken a bit of a toll on us,’’ said Lindsay Mulhern, the Lawrenceville coach. “We are looking forward to being at home this week.’’
Lawrenceville always plays one of the toughest schedules around, and it has paid benefits come tourney time.
“We play a really competitive schedule, facing several nationally ranked teams and with each game we are taking a step forward,’’ said Mulhern. “We are hopeful as we hit tournament play we will have the experience of playing in really tight games behind us and that will prove beneficial for us.’’
The Big Red (6-5) have won five straight Mercer County Tournament titles and should be in the chase for a sixth no matter what the format might be.
The Big Red, who faced national power Agnes Irwin on Monday, are led by Harvard-bound Lexi Koch with 39 goals and 51 draw controls. Another senior, Maddie Brogan, has a careerbest 38 goals, and senior Chloe Babich has 22.
Tigers on the Prowl
Princeton has been one of the hottest teams in the area with three straight wins and has won five of six.
“The key has been communication and confidence,’’ said coach Katie Federico. “There are many connections that are happening across the field whether it’s on defense when communicating the slide, seeing the open player on the transition, or slowing it down on attack and waiting. The players have such confidence in each other that they know their teammate will be there to support them.’’
The Tigers (7-2, 1-0 CVC Colonial) have a tough week with Northern Burlington on Monday and then finish up with Hopewell Valley and Allentown.
Phoebe Steiger had a career-high five goals in the win over Monroe on Saturday.
One of those that has really stepped up her games has been sophomore Leah Bornstein. She caged only seven goals as a freshman and already has 23 this season, including 16 during the Tigers winning streak.
“Leah came out this season as a player on a mission,’’ declared Federico. “She has so much energy and gives it 110% from the first whistle to the last whistle of the game. She is right in it on the transition and is always moving on attack trying to make something happen whether it’s setting a pick for a drive or cutting to the middle to score. Leah is absolutely relentless and I am just so proud of what she has been able to accomplish so far this season.’’
Bornstein has a teambest 49 draw controls and is second in caused turnovers with 14.
It has been a team effort as Riley Devlin has 35 goals and Quinn Gallagher has 26 goals including 22 during the Tigers’ last six games.
The defense has been getting it done, too, allowing just 16 goals in the threegame winning streak.