In their annual Suburban Essex rivalry grudge match, the West Essex Lady Knights did just enough to squeak past Verona, winning 10-8 on their home field.
It was an exciting back-and-forth affair that saw both teams within a goal of each other for most of the game, until West Essex cemented its two-goal lead by taking advantage of the absence of a shot clock in New Jersey high school lacrosse and playing keep-away for the final three minutes of the contest.
.@veronaglax fell to West Essex in a close game Tuesday, but CC Courter led Verona with three goals, including this rocket that brought VHS to within one in the second half. pic.twitter.com/6AyPGQCdX2
— MyVeronaNJ (@myveronanj) April 18, 2018
Verona’s offense was led by senior captains Maggie Ashley, who finished with a game-high five points (one goal, four assists) and CC Courter (three goals) with sophomore midfielder Maggie Lonsinger recording two goals. Senior Ashley Nigro and junior Sarah Carlucci added a goal apiece to the Lady Hillbillies cause to round out the scoring.
Sophomore goalie Skyler Freedman made 10 saves in the losing effort, including an electric three consecutive saves in eight seconds late in the second half with Verona still in the hunt, down 9-7.
Watch Skyler Freedman make three saves in a row in today’s @veronaglax game against West Essex.… https://t.co/qNIeyXMOWV
— MyVeronaNJ (@myveronanj) April 18, 2018
The Hillbillies face another tough test on today at 4 p.m. hosting longtime rival and previously ranked no.18 Glen Ridge in another non-conference showdown before resuming their Freedom South league schedule versus Madison High School on Saturday, April 21.
