Holy Cross to take on mighty Moorestown Posted on May 14th
The Moorestown girls’ lacrosse team looms like a skyscraper amid rowhouses in the Burlington County League.
So when another team in the league flourishes, it almost goes unnoticed.
Holy Cross is such a team.
The Lancers have run their overall record to 13-1 and 7-0 in the league that has been dominated by nationally recognized Moorestown since it entered nine years ago.
Holy Cross coach Joey Hanners has not beaten the Quakers during her eight years at the helm, but she and her players will not stop trying. They’ll get another chance today, when they travel to Moorestown (16-1, 6-0) to play for what amounts to the league title.
The nucleus of the Holy Cross team comprises seniors Michelle Lubrano and Carly Kindbom and junior Emily Burdalski, all midfielders.
Lubrano leads the team in scoring with 52 goals and 27 assists. Burdalski has 39 goals and 33 assists and leads the team with 58 ground balls. Kindbom has 38 goals, 20 assists and 55 ground balls.
Hanners said her team is highly skilled, and when it plays to its potential it usually wins. Playing well consistently has been a problem. But Moorestown likely will get the Lancers’ adrenaline pumping early.
“Moorestown has such a [great] system,” Hanners said. “They start young. They have great coaches and girls who work their tails off because there’s always someone there to take their spot.
“We don’t start [grooming players] until ninth grade. So it’s a challenge.”
Moorestown has won 181 consecutive games against New Jersey teams and eight straight state titles. Ranked No. 4 in the nation by Lacrosse Magazine, the Quakers suffered their only loss of the season April 19 to last year’s No. 1 national team, St. Stephens/St. Agnes (Va.), 12-7, at home.
Moorestown beat Holy Cross, 18-5, last year when the Lancers held onto the ball too much instead of passing, according to Hanners.
Senior captains and midfielders Bridget Callahan and Annie McGinley lead Moorestown in scoring. Callahan has 49 goals and 30 assists. McGinley has 48 goals and 36 assists.
Contact staff writer Bill Iezzi
at 856-779-3826 or biezzi@phillynews.com.