Lacrosse, one of the most popular spring sports in the country, is finally starting back up.
Bridgewater-Raritan High School’s girls’ lacrosse team is known to have some extraordinary and very talented players.
The girls prepare to open their season on March 29 at 11 a.m. against Cherokee High School. The girls finished the preceding 2023-2024 season with a record of 12-11, ready to enter this season with an attempt to improve their record compared to last year.
The previous year, the team made it to the quarterfinal round of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) tournament, losing by a score of 16-5 against Hunterdon Central Regional High School.
But this year, the team is looking to become county champions.
The girls are entering this spring season with a bit of a change.
Jaimie Peterson is beginning her first season coaching for Bridgewater-Raritan girls’ lacrosse following the replacement of Kathleen Debonis, a Hall of Fame coach who retired from teaching and coaching after a long career at the end of the 2023-2024 school year.
Coach Peterson expressed her optimism about her first season coaching.
“I’m really looking forward to fostering a positive and supportive team culture. I’m excited to watch the athletes develop their skills, both individually and as a team, and to see them grow not only as lacrosse players, but as leaders and teammates. I also look forward to the challenge of learning and improving as a coach and I’m eager to help the team reach their potential while making sure we have fun along the way,” Peterson said.
One of the team’s key player is junior Giada Catanzaro, who recently committed to Virginia Tech University for lacrosse. She finished her sophomore season with 62 goals and 78 assists. Catanzaro, in preparation for the season, spoke upon the team’s goals for the season.
“Our team’s main goals this season are to build strong chemistry, compete at a high level every game, win counties and make a deep playoff run,” she said.
Catanzaro and the team are focused and determined to work hard and play well this season with these goals in mind.
Senior Sophie Levin, another crucial player, finished her junior year season with 147 draw controls. She is looking to have another successful season for her final year.
Senior Emma Ciocon, being the leading goal scorer last year, had 94 goals last season, serving as a prominent aspect to the team and demonstrating the qualities of a true leader.
Levin and Ciocon, among the 10 other seniors, are entering the final season of their high school lacrosse careers with high hopes and expectations for the season ahead. Best of luck to the girls and their upcoming season!
