Chatham Girls' Lacrosse Dominates Both Sides of Ball in State Tournament Win Over Mahwah

The Chatham girls' lacrosse team dominated both sides of the ball on the way to its 14-3 victory over Mahwah in the NJSIAA North II semifinals on Thursday.

As Head Coach Deb Marriott put it, "it definitely was a team effort." After Mahwah scored to take a 1-0 lead at the game's outset, Chatham reeled off 10 straight goals to go into the half up by nine.

But the team's defense didn't allow Mahwah many shots. The Thunderbirds only managed five on goaltender Hannah Reader before she was removed early in the second half, and Mahwah didn't have very many long possessions.

Chatham's defenders were able to quickly get the ball to the team's attackers, which allowed the Cougars quality scoring opportunities throughout the game.

"The fact that we can get the ball back and just get the ball up the field is an awesome feeling, because it started with you," said Lindsay Ford, who plays defense.

After Mahwah's Alexa Freguletti scored the game's first goal, Chatham didn't take its foot off the gas pedal. Meghan Murray, who had three goals on the day, tied things up with a low shot, and Emma Ehler and Kelsey Perselay put the ball in the net soon afterward. Murray soon scored again after taking a pass from Jaclyn Leto, who had run nearly the entire length of the field after Reader arced her a pass from the goal mouth.

Chatham could have had even more goals, but four of the team's shots hit the post in the game's first 15 minutes.

"I think they're just playing well now," said Marriott. "They've gotten to the point where they know who to look for on the field."

Chatham, however, received a warning from the referee for mouthing off, and Mahwah put together one of its best possessions on the day with about eight minutes left in the first half. But after a long possession, it gave the ball back to Chatham after a player moved before the whistle had blown to begin play.

The Cougars quickly capitalized. Leto scored twice and Murray and Perselay each scored within the span of 2 1/2 minutes as Chatham took an 8-1 lead it would not come close to relinquishing.

Goals by Ehler and Courtney Landolfe made it 10-1 at halftime, and Chatham scored the first four goals of the second half to take a 14-1 lead. Kallen Murray scored two of those goals, while Leto and Kathryn Maiorano each had one. The team periodically removed its starters toward the end of the half.

Mahwah managed to score two goals at the end of the game, but by then, the damage was done. The Thunderbirds also substituted in all of their seniors with 2 1/2 minutes left.

The Cougars will now face Summit—who they beat earlier in the year—in the North II final. And as Marriott put it, "they're going to bring it."

The players, as a group, certainly don't want this season to end. Ford said the team has gotten closer after a difficult loss to Ridgewood earlier in the year, and the team hopes its good chemistry will allow it to keep moving forward.

"It's just kind of been reinforced that it's one and done," said Cat McCutcheon.