Jackson girls lax gets contributions from many
Platoon system in net and potent offense have made for 10-1 record
BY MIKE WHITE Staff Writer

Kierstyn Mabey scored her 100th career goal as the Jackson Memorial High School girls' lacrosse team defeated rival Toms River north 11-9 last Friday in a Shore Conference A South game.

ERIC SUCAR staff Jackson Memorial's Amanda Negren (r) tries to sprint past Brick Memorial defender Jordan Bunch during the first half of the teams' April 23 game, which was won by Jackson by a score of 17-3.

Mabey finished with the hat trick, scoring two goals in the first half, as the Lady Jaguars clung to a 5-4 lead at intermission.

Mabey is the team's leading scorer this season with a total of 40 goals. Jackson coach Lori Johnson praised the work of her senior offensive standout.

"She is off to an outstanding start," Johnson said. "She is a real talented kid. Not only has she done a great job of getting our offense in gear, she has tremendous leadership qualities. We've been lucky to have her be a part of this program for as long as she has."

The 2008 edition of the Jackson team is loaded with underclassmen.Maybe provides senior poise and savvy for a young club that is experiencing a lot of success.

"Every team needs players who are experienced and who have been there before," Johnson said. "We have a lot of young players on this team, and Kierstyn and a couple of others have done a great job of showing them the correct way of going about things."

Elyse Fisher is second on the team in scoring with 35 goals, while Alex Knueppel, who scored four times in the win over North, has 28.

"I'm real pleased that we are getting such a balanced scoring attack," Johnson said. "We have different people stepping up and making key contributions in big spots. That's theyway good teams play.You can't afford to rely on just one or two players to carry the majority of the scoring."

As well as the Jaguars have played at the offensive end, it's been the defense, Johnson said, that has been the cornerstone to Jackson's gaudy 10-1 record. The Jaguars only loss was an early-season defeat to Holy Cross, which is ranked seventh in the state.

"We have been better at the defensive end than I imagined," Johnson said. "I knew we would be solid, but we have outplayed a lot of teams at that end of the field. We're doing a good job of limiting shots and clearing the ball."

Johnson cited the fine play of defensemen Lena Pingitore, Ana Geeter, Liz Conrad, Kim Clemmer, Kelly Rose and Mikie Bradley. Senior goalies Nicole Necci and Lindsay Caliendo have split time between the pipes. Johnson said she is committed to using both.

"Using the platoon system has worked really well," Johnson said. "Both have done a nice job. They are extremely supportive of each other. It's not like me to use two different goalies. I really have not used this method in the past. So far this season it's been effective."

Caliendo's save percentage is at 63 percent, while Necci's is 59.

"I make my decision based on who we're playing, and who's been playing well," Johnson said. "I feel confident no matter which one is out there. Having this system keeps each of them on their toes."