The sun is up longer and the warm weather is back; spring is here and so is girls lacrosse. The girls are coming back to practice after an exciting offseason filled with team developments.

Three returning seniors, Gabriella Vangeli, Kendall Smith, and Lisa Ross come into the season having all committed to Division I schools to continue both their academic and lacrosse careers. Knowing it will be the final time they will be playing together, the girls are excited to begin their final run as high school lacrosse players.

Along with the veteran seniors, the starting lineup features rising juniors who are set to impress. With pressure on and college scouts watching, the girls will not be messing around in 2019.

Leading the team this year will be first year head coach Kristina Dunphey, who was the team’s previous assistant coach and former Division I lacrosse player. Dunphey and the girls are looking to improve their record this year, after finishing last season 12-6. So far, the girls have gone 1-1-2 in their scrimmages: a victory over East Brunswick, a loss against Summit, and ties against Rumson and Princeton offered the team the chance to get acclimated to coach Dunphey. The trend of young talent will continue as the varsity team is set to add freshmen Annelise Roarty, Sophia Iovino, and Rylan Geissler to the roster.

“Our goals, like most other teams, are to win counties and go all the way in states,” Vangeli said.

Last year the team saw struggles defensively, but with assistance from their new coach and a further developed team bond they are in a position to fix this issue. The seniors are looking to use their experience of competing together and their unique chemistry to succeed this season, and end their final year on a high note.

“For me, my favorite part of playing girls lacrosse for Hillsborough is how close the girls are in the program,” Vangeli said. “We have a lot of talent and the lacrosse season is so special to be a part of.”

Be sure to support the Lady Raiders tomorrow when they host North Hunterdon to open the regular season.