GMC Preview

Post date: Mar 28, 2017 1:39:05 AM

http://highschoolsports.nj.com/news/article/6936218767808281908/girls-lacrosse-greater-middlesex-conference-preview-2017/

GREATER MIDDLESEX CONFERENCE

FAVORITE: North Brunswick loses its top scoring duo in Tatum Altman and Samantha Mehalick to graduation but the Raiders are primed to put itself back on top of the GMC after a 20-2 season where they were undefeated in conference play. Victoria Tucci returns as the top scoring option from a season ago after posting 77 goals and 64 assists while the Raiders have a young core of junior Elena Vargas and sophomores Hayley Greenberg and Lizzie Macioci that found success at the varsity level last season.

CONTENDERS: Monroe will be without Jenna Morelli and Josie Pagano but returns plenty of talent this season. Kara Turco leads a Falcons attack after posting team highs with 59 goals and 62 assists. Monroe will also feature four other players that scored 18 or more goals from last year with three seniors in Olivia Tucker, Courtney Frycz and Lesley Lane along with sophomore Liz Skobelev.

South Brunswick returns two of the four players that scored 30-plus goals last season in junior Shannen Sterner and senior Briana Gonzales. Hailey Konopka also returns after a 23-goal season as does senior starting goalie Dakota Apicella.

Old Bridge will have plenty to replace after graduation but the Knights have a talented building block in sophomore Abby Zimmerlink, who led the team with 51 goals last season. Old Bridge will be on the lookout for a new goalie after the duo of Emily Fedor and Lucy Tamke graduated after three years of splitting duty in front of the net.

Edison's top scorer in Lauren Cassella returns for her senior year after posting 94 goals. Kayla LaPosta also will come back for Edison and will be one of the players looked upon to replace the production of Ashley Hunt.

South Plainfield will be without last season's top scorer in Michaelle Butrico but the Tigers do return a pair of seniors in Ashley Veliz (46 goals) and Olivia O'Leary (14 goals) that will look to carry the offensive load. Tatianna Sutor brings stability in the net as the junior returns following a 243-save season.

J.P. Stevens will have plenty to replace after graduating its top two offensive players in Molly Yelencsics and Samantha Dzema. Junior Harshita Jain returns as the top scorer from a season ago while Jessie Racioppi reclaims her role as the starting goalie after making 172 saves her sophomore year.

East Brunswick lost its top two scorers in Angela Costanzo and Kelsie Miklos to graduation but does have some young offensive talent in junior Caitlyn Robertson and sophomore Chloe Tauber. Senior Dominique Perrotta looks to take the goalie position full time after seeing action in seven games last season.

Bishop Ahr will rely on it's 13-athlete senior class, headlined by last year's leading scorer Kimberly Calix, after going 0-11 last season.

VOTE: Which is the best team in the GMC?

Andrew Koob can be reached at akoob@njschoolsports.com. Follow him on Twitter @AndrewKoobHS. Like NJ.com High School Sports on Facebook.