Green Wave persevering over a variety of issues
By doug mckenzie
Staff Writer

CHRIS KELLY Long Branch’s Gaddiela Fortune, who is heading to Syracuse University in the fall, shoots past the Red Bank Regional goalie during a recent game in Long Branch.

The Long Branch High School girls lacrosse team has had a lot to overcome this season.

First and foremost has been the weather, which has led to the cancellation of a number of games this spring, and has also cut into the team’s practice time. Add to the mix the fact that the squad had to groom a new goalie midway into the season, and you begin to understand just how uphill a battle it has been for head coach Lonell Klina’s squad.

But through it all, the Green Wave has played well, with a chance at earning a state playoff berth with a win on Wednesday against Monmouth Regional.

"It’s kind of been a rough season for us," Klina admitted. "Our senior starting goalie quit, and our new goalie is a junior who is playing lacrosse for the first time. She’s been doing a nice job for us, though."

Long Branch entered the season with some lofty expectations with a solid group of seniors returning from last year’s 3-12-2 squad.

"We have 10 seniors right now, and they’ve all played well for us," Klina said. "It’s not like we have one player that dominates play for us. They all contribute."

The Green Wave’s leading scorers are seniors Gaddiela Fortune (34 goals, 12 assists), Diana Mecha (23g, 9a), Shauna Brocklebank (33g, 3a) and Sara White (24g, 7a). The defense is led by seniors Carli Perez and Carolina Espinoza.

However, as the coach said, everyone has contributed to the team’s success this year. Players such as seniors Jessica Abbruzzese, Donna Lisa, Michelle McLoughlin and Jenna O’Donnell have helped set the tone this year, and have helped groom some of the younger players, like sophomores Taryn Benesta, Jillian Ceravolo and Melissa Penn, and juniors Mary Ellen Kelly, Tania Sousa and Lauren Topham.

Topham took over the goaltending duties midway through the season and has recorded 47 saves, while junior Vanessa Nieves has also seen time between the pipes, recording 14 saves.

"At first I thought [the loss of the goalie] would really slow us down, but Lauren has stepped up and done a nice job for us," Klina said. "We still have eight games left this season with all the rain, so we still have a chance to get even better. But I feel good about where we’re at after all we’ve been through."

The Green Wave qualified for the Shore Conference Tournament but drew a tough opening-round match against No. 2 Jackson. The Jags won that game on Monday, 23-6.

With a win on Wednesday against Monmouth Regional, the Green Wave would have qualified for the state tournament. Teams had to have a .500 record by the end of yesterday’s play, and Long Branch entered Wednesday’s game at 7-7.

Monmouth beat Long Branch 8-4 earlier this season, but Klina expected her team to be better this time around.

"I really don’t think this team is comparable to the team they saw the first time," she said, "We play a different type of game now. We play much more like a team now. Our passing is better and we’re playing less like individuals.

"We’re not a young team, so that is a plus. The girls know what we expect of them, having been with us for a few years, and the younger players are really looking to the seniors for leadership."