Basking Ridge Girls Lacrosse Rallies Past Mount Saint Mary Academy 12-4 In Watchung

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Ridge High School's girls lacrosse team erased an early deficit Tuesday and beat Mount Saint Mary Academy, 12-4, in Watchung.

Ridge fell behind 3-0 in the opening quarter before responding with 12 straight goals to take control of the road game.

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Mount Saint Mary Academy held that three-goal lead early, but Ridge settled in after an early timeout by head coach Olivia Harpel. The run continued for nearly the rest of the game, with Mount Saint Mary scoring its only other goal late in the fourth quarter.

"Our first time out early in the first quarter was important — we needed to reset as a team and shift to playing our game," Harpel said. "I am really proud of the players' ability to stay composed through the latter half of the game as things got chippier."

Ridge's defense helped drive the turnaround, according to Harpel. She said the group carried out what it had prepared for and set the tone across the afternoon.

"This team is comprised of eager-to-learn players. We are all new to each other, and the capacity they have to adjust and execute is exciting," Harpel said. "Defensively, especially today, we executed exactly what we prepared, and that is very fun to coach."

Harpel also highlighted Emily Green and Romey Gussin after the win. She credited both players as part of a defensive effort that stayed steady as Ridge pushed through the early hole and turned the game into a decisive victory.

"Emily Green and Romey Gussin stepped up for their team — our defense played extremely consistent and together," Harpel said. "I am really proud of the team's effort and adjustments throughout the game."

The win gives Ridge momentum heading into a quick turnaround. The team is scheduled to return to action on Wednesday, April 22, when it hosts New Providence.

That game is set for 5 p.m. in Basking Ridge. Ridge will look to carry over the defensive play and composure it showed after Tuesday's slow start in Watchung.

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