By Anthony Caruso
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 5/7/14
They are the best of friends off the field, but on this day, they were heated rivals.
The Shawnee Renegades and the Moorestown Quakers have developed a intense girls’ lacrosse rivalry over the years between players that often play together in club lacrosse. In fact, these two teams faced each other in the Tournament of Champions last year when Moorestown won a tight game.
This a new year and the South Jersey friendly rivals are in different stages at this point in the season. Host Moorestown – No. 1 in the Phillylacrosse.com Rankings – remained undefeated at 18-0 with a 20-5 victory over the Rnagades, who fell to 9-5.
Many of the players on both teams play together for South Jersey Select, a team coached by Quakers head coach Deanna Knobloch.
“It’s been an incredible year, but I still don’t believe we have played our best lacrosse,” said Moorestown head coach Deanna Knobloch. “It was a great game today, and they knew what was at hand, and they got it done. I’m proud of the way they’ve played, and honestly, I do believe we haven’t played our best lacrosse yet.”
If coach is right, the Quakers are going to be very hard to beat as they approach the post-season. Yet, there is a chance that these two teams could play again in the postseason.
“Yeah, these games have been close since I’ve been coaching,” said coach Knobloch, with regard to Shawnee as a rival. “There have been a lot of intense games, and Shawnee is an incredible program. We respect them, and it’s always an intense game to play.”
The game was close for the first few minutes, before the Quakers decided to put Shawnee out of reach. The Renegades could only muster two second half goals.
Tristan McGinley led the Quakers with four goals. She was followed by Abbey Brooks, who had three goals, while Lauren Martinelli, Jess Dadino, Melanie Bekcer, and Marie McCool each scored two goals.
“It was our job to jump on them early,” said Brooks. “They have been our rivals in the past, so we knew they were going to come here and attempt to beat us, like all teams.”
Saber Barnat and Caroline Farley scored the second-half goals for Shawnee.
“It was good to see Caroline,” said Brooks. “She is like one of my best friends, and I love playing with her (on South Jersey Select). It’s hard playing against her, because of our friendship, but when we’re on the club team, it’s more easier to play with her than against her.
“Our offense, we try to do our best to move the ball and make our cuts,” said Brooks. “I was lucky enough to put the ball in the net. I have to credit my teammates for looking for me.”
For the Quakers, Frankie Angeleri, Kierstyn Voiro, Kalya Pruitt, and Alex O’Donnell chipped in goals.
The Renedages also had goals by Caroline Shinske, Dana Goldstein, and Maddie Bray.
The Quakers are off until next Wednesday since their scheduled game this Saturday has been canceled. Moorestown travels to Pennsauken for their final regular season game.
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