View full sizeNazareth Area High School's Kaity Wiltraut, left, is on The Express-Times All-Area girls lacrosse first team with teammate Hilary Holecz.ALL-AREA GIRLS LACROSSE:
View full sizeMolly ZgodaPhillipsburg junior attack certainly doesn't let on she's only been playing lacrosse for two seasons. Zgoda scored most goals in The Express-Times region with 110, which is also single-season school record. Paired with Lauren Nunes, Zgoda's darting runs often resulted in scores off quick catch-and-shoot opportunities. "She has an understanding of the game and when to cut," Phillipsburg coach Bob Stem Jr. said. "She has got a great shot and a desire to put the ball in the net." Zgoda, an all-division first-team all-star, never scored fewer than three goals in a contest this spring and tallied career-high nine goals in wins over Easton and Immaculata.
View full sizeLindsay HughesDelaware Valley senior attack built off impressive numbers from her junior season by posting 85 goals and 39 assists for 124 points in 2012. She won over 130 draws for Terriers, who captured their first Skyland Conference Raritan Division title. "She truly is a very unselfish player, but she got the job done when we needed it the most," coach Stephanie Cirino said. Hughes, a Raritan first-team All-Star who finished fourth in points in The Express-Times region, had her biggest game in first round of North Group 2 tournament, scoring nine goals and dishing out two assists in 20-19 win over Lakeland. She will continue her career at Ramapo.
Phillipsburg senior midfielder tore opposing defenses and record books into shreds on her way to being named The 2012 Express-Times Player of the Year. Nunes set school and Express-Times region records with a state-leading 88 assists and 163 points this season. Skyland Conference Raritan Division first-teamer also holds P'burg record for career points (310), assists (126) and goals (184). "She made really good decisions for us this year -- between passing the ball or getting to the cage," coach Bob Stem Jr. said. With the offense running though her, Nunes recorded double-digit point totals in seven games, matching her career-high of 13 five times. She also was team's best defender. Nunes will continue her career at East Stroudsburg.
Nazareth senior midfielder was absolute terror for opposing defenses. Wiltraut's explosive speed, ability to find open lanes and elusive maneuvers near the cage made her most dangerous player for Lehigh Valley Conference and District 11 champions. LVC Most Valuable Player accumulated 129 points (94 goals, 35 assists) to finish second in The Express-Times region. "Kaity is the hardest working player I have ever coached," coach Jennifer Nolan said. Wiltraut's outstanding dedication to improving herself once practice concludes is what separates her from other players, according to Nolan. Wiltraut will continue her career at East Stroudsburg.
View full sizeKristen VathDelaware Valley junior midfielder is no stranger to All-Area team. She has been first-team choice every season of her career. Vath, who wasn't subbed out once this season, has scored more than 200 career goals, reaching milestone during victory over Warren Hills. "She thrives off of putting it on her shoulders," coach Stephanie Cirino said. "She's a true leader." Vath, a Skyland Conference Raritan Division first-team All-Star, finished third in region in points with 127 and recorded double-digit point performances for division champion in wins over Somerville, Voorhees and Immaculata.
View full sizeCaroline JaegerNorth Hunterdon junior midfielder was versatile contributor for Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex Tournament champion. Jaeger scored 77 goals and distributed 13 assists on her way to spot on Skyland Conference Delaware Division first team. "She's a very dynamic player, but she's also a very consistent player, and that's the biggest thing she brings to the table," coach Stacy Ditze said. Whether it was locking down opponent on defense or lacing back of cage with a crucial goal, Lions looked to Jaeger to make impact on both sides of field. She scored career-high seven goals against rival Voorhees and had six goals on three occasions.
Voorhees senior midfielder was unrelenting offensive weapon. Torching defenses with blazing quickness and acceleration, Francis tallied 92 goals and 19 assists for 111 points. Skyland Conference Raritan Division first-team All-Star also was a lot to handle on draw controls, using her height and stick skills to win possession. "She's so quick and she can change up the pace of her game whenever she wants," coach Courtney Thibeault said. "She definitely was the type of all-around player you want on the field and she also was an amazing leader off the field, which I don't think you find too often." She will continue her career at Lynchburg.
North Hunterdon sophomore midfielder didn't perform like an underclassman in tough Skyland Conference Delaware Division. Wood had breakout season, accounting for 70 goals and 23 assists for Lions, who won their first Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex Tournament. "On the field she plays likes she's a senior, she plays with a lot of experience and confidence," coach Stacy Ditze said. Midfielder came up with several critical scores to help North Hunterdon secure close victories. According to Ditze, the Delaware Division first-team All-Star has a dodge move that can't be coached, or stopped for that matter, and creates dozens of scoring opportunities.
View full sizeHilary HoleczNazareth senior midfielder provided steady guiding force for Lehigh Valley Conference and District 11 champions. Holecz, who led Blue Eagles in ground balls (72) and draw controls (69), notched 43 goals and 21 assists. Coach Jennifer Nolan, who said Holecz is probably the smartest player she's ever had, called midfielder "the quarterback of our team." Four-year starter had knack for discovering and exploiting weaknesses of opposing goalies, according to Nolan. In tight games, LVC first-teamer often kept Nazareth in control by being secure in possession. Holecz, the LVC's girls lacrosse scholar athlete, will continue her education at University of Pittsburgh.
View full sizeKatie DeckerPhillipsburg junior defensive midfielder provided type of relentless positive energy that teammates fed off this spring. Skyland Conference Raritan Division first-team All-Star vacuumed up groundballs and often sparked transition opportunities for Stateliners. "She's tenacious on defense; she's right up on people," coach Bob Stem Jr. said. "Everything she does, she does 110 percent. She's very driven." Decker, also an accomplished violinist according to Stem, never turned down her intensity, regardless of positive or negative result on scoreboard. Her field vision and anticipation made her disruptive force to opponents.
View full sizeAubrey BechtoldDelaware Valley senior defender provided Terriers with defensive grit that guided them to first Skyland Conference Raritan Division crown. Bechtold, who led Del Val in caused turnovers, frustrated opponents with aggressive play while remaining under control in high-pressure situations. "Overall, I feel like she is the heart and soul of our team," coach Stephanie Cirino said. "She can see the play before it develops and I think that makes her so talented." According to Cirino, Bechtold, a Raritan first-team All-Star, was perfect role model for program's younger players. She will continue her career at Adelphi.
View full sizeWhitney BercawNorth Hunterdon senior goalie elevated her play to another level for her final season. According to coach Stacy Ditze, Bercaw's success came from tremendous will to win. "Whitney's best asset is that she's been in the cage for the past three years and has made it her home," Ditze said. "I've seen her confidence build, year after year." Goalie averaged more than 10 saves a game in competitive Skyland Conference Delaware Division. She made 15 saves and was named Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex Tournament Most Valuable Player as Lions topped rival Hunterdon Central in the H/W/S final. Bercaw will attend Texas A&M, where she plans to play club lacrosse.
View full sizeNorth Hunterdon's Caroline Jaeger is joined on The Express-Times All-Area first-team by teammates Whitney Bercaw and Julia Wood.SECOND TEAM:
ATT
- Gabby Razzano, Phillipsburg, Sr.
ATT
- Courtney Lonesky, Easton, Jr.
MID
- Caroline Vath, Delaware Valley, Fr.
MID
- Allison Lane, North Hunterdon, So.
MID
- Lindsey Arnold, North Hunterdon, Sr.
MID
- Natasha Capecci, Nazareth, Sr.
MID
- Natalie Constantine, Easton, Jr.
MID
- Brittney Van Veldhuisen, Voorhees, So.
MID
- Mackenzie Till, Saucon Valley, Jr.
DEF
- Erin Miller, Voorhees, Sr.
DEF
- Stevie Lynn Holecz, Nazareth, So.
G
- Allison Nordeen, Delaware Valley, Sr.
Attack
-- Sr. Monica Chamberlin, North Hunterdon; Sr. Monica Perla, Easton; Sr. Gabi Childers, Warren Hills; So. Natalie Rold, Freedom; So. Marissa Santiago, Nazareth; So. Jenny Maher, Voorhees.
Midfield
-- Jr. Kali Cook-Grisewood, Delaware Valley; Fr. Jess Kovatch, Phillipsburg; So. Erin Healy, Freedom; So. Macey Walker, Freedom; Fr. Jordan Sutter, Nazareth; Jr. Casey Brands, Warren Hills; Sr. Sara Kearney, North Warren.
Defense
-- Sr. Maggie Philkill, Delaware Valley; Sr. Charlotte Coleman, North Hunterdon; Sr. Kelseigh Wiltraut, Nazareth; Jr. Mariya Saydek, Phillipsburg; Sr. Lauren Iacobucci, Warren Hills; Sr. Anna Ruggerio, Easton; Sr. Kellie Byrne, Voorhees.
Goalie
-- Sr. Rachel Strzelecki, Nazareth; Jr. Bri Wise, Easton; Sr. Ashley Jacobs, Phillipsburg; Sr. Juliann Rinaldi, North Warren; So. Samantha Rodriguez, Freedom.