West Deptford Girls' Lacrosse Continues Building Momentum

Late in the preseason, girls’ lacrosse coach Julie Catrambone was just hoping to have enough girls healthy to go out and compete. The team was loaded with question marks from the goaltending all the way up to the attackers.

What a difference a month makes.

On a day when the Eagles weren’t on the top of their game, they still had more than enough firepower to take down Paul VI, 10-6, to improve to 8-2. One year after winning just six games, the team suddenly finds itself in contention for a run at the conference title and a home playoff game.

“It’s a credit to the seniors, the girls, their work ethic, and just the way they are as a team,” Catrambone said. “It’s an awesome group of girls. They are just really doing well.”

The Eagles are still a little short on the bench with several girls battling lingering injuries, but that has not stopped them from winning seven of their last eight games.

“We’re a small team, but we really have a big heart,” junior captain Rachel Krott said. “Every single day, we go hard and give it our all. Today was kind of iffy, but most other days we go at it all the time.”

The Eagles led 4-0 with four minutes left in the first half, but saw that advantage shrink to 5-3 with 22:12 left in the game. After a scoreless seven minutes, Krott took things into her own hands, scoring two goals in 12 seconds.

It was the type of leadership the team has come to expect from Krott, though she wouldn’t have any part of the credit.

“It doesn’t fall upon one person ever, it’s a whole team effort,” said Krott. “The fact that I came out and scored two goals, I hope it rallied the team, but in no way is it ever on my shoulder or just anyone else’s alone.”

Krott finished with three goals, as did Gabby Minnite, who is having a breakout season as an attacker. Minnite has done most of her work in front of her net, where her size has been beneficial.

“I’m tall, so that helps,” said Minnite, with a laugh. “I just roll and shoot it.”

The Eagles also got a second-half goal from Jess Hill, who is battling through shin splints.

“She’s a workhorse every single day,” said Krott. “No matter how much she is hurting, she goes at it every single time.”

Even with her team two wins above last year’s total for the entire season, Catrambone is not yet satisfied. She sees the potential from more out of her team and is looking for them to score a win that will really send a message to the rest of South Jersey. West Deptford will have that chances as it faces tough tests in Cherokee today and Haddonfield (6-4) Saturday.

“I’m definitely pleased with our record, but I really don’t even like to look at our record,” Catrambone said. “We still have to win that statement game. I keep telling them that we need to get that win, but I am very happy with the way we have been playing.”