The Verona Lady Hillbillies girls lacrosse squad celebrated their Senior Night in big fashion, routing Caldwell, 18-10, on a cold, wet Monday night this week.
Hollywood could not have scripted a more fitting tribute to Verona’s five seniors–Maggie Ashley, CC Courter, Ashley Nigro, Clare O’Farrell and Jenna Staranka–as all five seniors reached the score sheet, with Ashley, Courter, Nigro (three goals) and Staranka (three goals) recording multiple goals and O’Farrell, playing defense, notching the first goal of her varsity career with a few minutes left in the game, setting off a celebration that saw her engulfed by her teammates.
On @veronaglax Senior Night yesterday, senior Clare O’Farrell scored her first varsity goal and her teammates went wild. @VeronaAthletics pic.twitter.com/oQchsdLrRc
— MyVeronaNJ (@myveronanj) May 2, 2018
The suddenly surging Hillbillies, winners of their last three games, jumped out to a fast start, fueled by the dominant draw control unit of Courter, sophomore Maggie Lonsinger and junior Ally Madigan, which powered the Hillbillies to a commanding 11-2 halftime lead over the Chiefs. Caldwell made a run late in the second half after the Hillbillies began to sit their starters and the score reached 14-4, to make the final score 18-10 for Verona.
Senior captain Cecilia “CC” Courter recorded a game-high five goals and two assists for seven points while fellow senior captain Maggie Ashley followed right behind with three goals and three assists. In addition to her eight draw controls, sophomore Maggie Lonsinger added a goal and an assist. Junior attack Julia Mackey scored one goal and assisted on another while fellow juniors Ally Madigan (one assist) and defender Lara Tole (one goal, two draw controls) also pitched in on the offensive end.
Despite the frustrating cold, rainy weather for most of the game, the Lady Hillbillies put forward a great team performance for the win that rewarded the family and friends who withstood the difficult elements.
The Hillbillies, now ranked #7 in all of Group I, will look to continue to extend their three-game winning streak on Wednesday, May 2, against local rival Montclair in what should be an exciting contest. The game will be on Sellitto Field at VHS at 4 p.m.
All 5 @veronaglax seniors scored on Senior Night, including this buzzer beater from Ashley Nigro. @VeronaAthletics pic.twitter.com/4ZrT4PDJ0w
— MyVeronaNJ (@myveronanj) May 2, 2018
Photos copyright Andy Yeates. Used by permission.
