The girls lacrosse team began their 2016 season looking to improve on last year’s record of 10-8. Through seven games, the team raced out to an impressive 5-2 mark with impressive wins over Delaware Valley, Somerville, Phillipsburg, East Brunswick, and North Hunterdon. The team’s only losses were a one goal defeat to Pingry and a loss to currently undefeated Hunterdon Central.

“This team wants to return to a position of competitiveness in the top tier of our county and conference,” head coach Elizabeth Murrin said. “We have fallen to the mid-tier the last two years and we feel that we are capable of challenging the better teams this year.”

This year’s team is led by returning seniors Gianna Napoletano and Celia Terreri, who each provide a spark at the attack position. Both Napoletano and Terreri will continue to play lacrosse at the collegiate level, at Winthrop University and University of Cincinnat respectively.

“[Both] were the keys on our offense a year ago,” Murrin said. “ Both play different styles, but each were our finishers and big offensive threats.”

Napoletano scored her milestone 100th goal of her career this season in a 16-7 victory against Delaware Valley.

On the defensive side, the team is led by a string of upperclassmen, including junior Victoria Rivera who coach Murrin claimed to be most productive in producing turnovers a season ago. Other defenders who see time in the starting lineup include seniors Rhiannon Accetta and Maggie Ryan, along with juniors Liz Reilly and Kristen Andreychak.

Further contributing to the team are three freshmen, who have been immediately placed into the starting lineup. Attacker Lisa Ross has six goals and eight assists on the young season, while midfielder Gabriella Vangeli has racked up six points on the season.

Freshman Brooke McCormick is the team’s starting goalie, and has had a successful start to her high school career with five wins in just seven starts.

After suffering a leg injury last year that kept her off the field, sophomore attacker Olivia Johnsen has been an impressive scorer on this team, netting 25 goals and 11 assists.

“Johnsen has tremendous stick skills and shot placement,” Murrin said. “She has been a key in our transition as well as our settled attack.”

While the team does not have any captains, the team’s seniors have fulfilled leadership roles.

“Our seniors show leadership when playing on the field, as they set the stage for other players to work hard and contribute to achieve team goals,” sophomore midfielder Sara Coutts said.

Looking ahead, the girls have a game against rival Montgomery on Thursday Apr. 21.