Successful South Brunswick Girls Lacrosse Season Ends in Disappointment

One of the best -- and worse -- things about the state playoffs is there is so much importance in each game.

The South Brunswick High School girls lacrosse team came into its Central Jersey Group IV playoff game on May 19 with a 17-1 record. Unfortunately, Ridge was able to put together a great second half and emerge with a 13-12  win.

"That's just the nature of tournament play," South Brunswick Coach John Coppola said. "You only keep going if you keep winning. If you don't, your season can be over."

South Brunswick led 10-6 at the half. Ridge, however, scored seven of the first eight goals in the second half. Ridge went up 13-11. Jenna Bussiere scored her fourth goal of the match with 2:40 to play, but South Brunswick was never able to get the equalizer.

"They got momentum in the second half and executed better than us," Coppola said.

South Brunswick opened the Central Jersey Group IV playoffs with an 8-5 win  over Montclair on May 17.

Elle Hvozdovic scored four goals in the win. Bussiere, Angie Goff, Casey Armstrong and Danielle St. Vincent added a goal each.

South Brunswick started the season 16-0. On the way to that mark, the team won its division and the Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament.

South Brunswick first loss of the season was to Colts Neck, 15-14, on May 14.

Bussiere scored six goals, Goff four goals and Hvozdovic three times in the loss.

"We had a very successful regular season and GMC," Coppola said. "It was a disappointing loss to finish the season. We feel we could have won that game and advanced far in the state tournament. Unfortunately, one loss puts you out in the state tournament."