Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 5/31/14
From Staff Reports
Two freshmen helped No. 1 Moorestown defeat Mendham, 6-5, today to remain undefeated and claim its fourth straight Group 3 state title at Monmouth University.
Freshman goalie Jessica Goralski made several key saves after being inserted in the second half and freshman Quinn Nocolai scored a key goal in the second half to help the Quakers improve to 24-0, win their 75th straight game and earn their 13th state championship.
Moorestown will advance to the Tournament of Champions semifinals Wednesday neighboring Lenape, the Group 4 champion, at Hunterdon Central at a time to be determined.
Goralski replaced starter Gabby Cooper and stopped several free position shots, finishing with four saves while allowing just one goal.
Mendham (13-7) seized a 4-3 lead late in the second half with the help of two Becky Gohsler goals, but Moorestown’s Marie McCool (two goals) tied it with 10 seconds left in the half.
Alex O’Donnell and Nicolai gave the Quakers a 6-4 lead in the second half before Christine Graziano (two goals) made it 6-5. But Goralski and the Moorestown defense held.
Group 4 final: Lenape 11, Ridge 9
Nicole Donnelly, Rena Carabases and Courtney Norton each scored three goals to lead the Indians (20-1) to their first state title since 2007 at Monmouth.
