By ROBERT LINNEHAN
First year coach Sarah Frazier knows she has a tough act to follow. For the past four years the Cherokee High School Lady Chiefs varsity lacrosse team has been led by coach Kate Maloney, who racked up a career 59–26 record, two conference championships, two South Jersey Sectional Championships, and an NJSIAA Championship.
It was a highly successful four-year run, but Frazier said there is no reason to think that the girls won’t be one of the top teams in South Jersey for the 2011 season.
Last year the lacrosse team went 20–3, captured an Olympic Conference Championship, a South Jersey Sectional Championship, and was a state championship finalist. The Cherokee Lady Chiefs lost to Ridgewood in the championship match. Ridgewood only lost one match the entire 2010 season.
The Lady Chiefs reached the championship match after defeating Lenape High School by a score of 15–5 in the semifinal matchup.
One of the reasons to be optimistic for the 2011 season, Frazier said, is the simple fact that the team has eight returning starters from the past season. This experience should help lead the team throughout the year, she said.
“The younger players we are looking to step up this year into a new varsity role include, Shannon Ruffalo, Kasey McGuire, Abby Fox, and Lauren Thomas,” Frazier said.
The team needs to be mentally tough to continue its successful streak, Frazier said. The first-year Cherokee coach said she will be trumping sharp, accurate stick skills in all of her players and good communication on the field.
Finally, Frazier said most of the leadership will have to come through the returning seniors to the varsity squad.
“We expect our seniors to provide good leadership and shape our young players for future varsity roles. We have a solid team and we are going to work hard to make a mark,” she said.
The Lady Chiefs will open their 2011 season on the road against Clearview High School. The first game of the season will be played on Friday, April 1 at 4 p.m. The Lady Chiefs did not play Clearview High School at all in the 2010 season.
