South Brunswick excited for the future

Not long ago, the South Brunswick High School girls lacrosse team ruled Middlesex County.

The Vikings won five straight Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament titles between 2009-13. They also won a remarkable 64-straight county games between 2009 to the 2014 season opener (a 12-11 double overtime loss to East Brunswick).

Current Vikings coach Sean Edwards was an assistant to John Coppola from 2011- ’14 and contributed to the streak, but Edwards said he hasn’t used those dynasty days to motivate players.

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"That happened quite a few years ago now," Edwards said.

But the Vikings haven’t exactly disappeared. They have lost in the county tournament semifinals the past three seasons. Top-seeded Old Bridge eliminated the Vikings, 9-8, last year, they lost to Monroe, 16-9, in 2016 and North Brunswick, 12-11, in 2015.

Maybe the Vikings will find a shift in fortune this season with players returning like two-time All-Conference player Shannen Sterner. Sterner scored two goals in Wednesday’s 13-9 season-opening loss at North Brunswick and has 89 for her career.

"Sterner has four years varsity experience at midfield, and we can go as far as she'll take us," Edwards said.

Senior midfielder Haley Konopka — a second team All-GMC player last year — has been outstanding on draws, Edwards said. Senior defender Mary Rohrig, the only returner on defense, caused 34 turnovers last year that resulted in her making first team All-Conference.

"Coming so close to being in the GMC championship the last few years has shown us that the smallest details can make the difference," said Edwards, who’s led the team to a 27-25 record in three years. "We have what it takes to get there, we always have. Now we need to fine tune our skills and teamwork to get there. It’s just been a matter of getting over the hump."

For that to happen, Edwards is looking to several newcomers to take some of the scoring burden off Sterner. Sophomore attack Madie Butler led South Brunswick with three goals and an assist and sophomore midfielder Maddy Dombrowski had a goal and two assists in the season opener. Freshman Claudia Zappia scored a goal as all three players started.

Butler helped lead the Vikings to the GMC junior varsity title last season.

"We had three girls score their first varsity goals (Wednesday), so we're excited for the future as well," Edwards said. "Our goal is to be a team that has multiple scoring threats, so Sterner doesn't have to feel like she has to do it all."

Another newcomer who started in the season opener was sophomore goalie Lola Bakhadyrova. She replaces the graduated standout Dakota Apicella, a GMC first team player last year. Bakhadyrova made 11 saves in her debut.

"She did an outstanding job considering she was the freshman goalie last year and we threw her to the wolves (Wednesday)," Edwards said. "She's been working real hard in the offseason. She attended our beach tournament in Wildwood and she played on our winter league team."