Lacrosse Ends Week with Loss

A series of tough breaks lead to the downfall of the Collingswood's girls' varsity lacrosse team against Cherry Hill West Saturday.

After starting the game with an early 3-1 lead on the Lions, the Panthers allowed three unanswered goals to end the first half. Cherry Hill West started the second half with another goal, leaving Collingswood on the wrong end of a 4-3 score.

The Panthers climbed back, though, outscoring the Lions 4-2 in the last five minutes of regulation and forcing an extra period. While Collingswood received offensive boosts from sophomore Ellie O’Neill who scored two goals in regulation and one in overtime, two goals from senior attack Jenna Morrison, and one goal each from seniors Sirelle Torres, Beth LaBar and Jordan Calderone, it was their defense that ultimately let them down.

“I don’t know what happened,” said Calderone. “We just kept losing our girls out there. Somehow, (Cherry Hill West) always found somebody else open. That was what we talked about at halftime. We have to play better defense.”

Though questionable officiating called off three Collingswood goals in regulation, and perhaps cost the Panthers the game, the team’s defensive struggles continued in overtime. Cherry Hill West recorded three goals in the extra period, two of which came in the first minute.

“They just got two quick ones at the end,” said Calderone. “They just got really good shots. I don’t even know how it happened.”

Saturday’s game marked the halfway point of Collingswood’s season. They now find themselves at 6-3 with nine games remaining in 2011 and only one thing left to do:

“Win,” said Calderone.

“Yeah. We have to get our record up,” said LaBar.