Maggie Zied, left, and Immaculate Heart are on the right track to success.
A couple of scoring milestones reached.
A new single-game assist record at Ridgewood and goals record at Pequannock.
Immaculate Heart on the right track.
A big week of games ahead.
That’s what’s up in the North Jersey girls lacrosse world so let’s get right into it, plus stats and games to watch below.
Indian Hills senior Marissa Caponi, Wayne Valley senior Madison Carlucci and Pequannock senior Alyssa Tachon all recorded their 100th career goals last week. All three are also among North Jersey’s scoring leaders, but more on that later.
Didn’t hear about it until a day ago, but Holy Angels junior Danielle Stephens also recorded her 100th career goal two weeks ago. Great accomplishments all around.
Pequannock sophomore Arden Kassaleh scored 10 goals against Madison last week to set the single-game scoring record. Unfortunately it came in a 21-17 loss.
Ridgewood junior Jordan Ford dished out nine assists against Kent Place last week to set a new assists record for the Maroons. Original Ridgewood star Leigh Jester set the record of eight in 2003 before Ford came along and eclipsed it. More importantly, Ridgewood beat Kent Place, 20-16, in OT. It was their second OT win in a row over a quality opponent . Now they face Glen Ridge and West Morris Central (2-11 combined record) before a showdown against IHA next Wednesday. I’ll be there.
Speaking of IHA, I was impressed with their squad in yesterday’s 13-10 win over Mahwah. The game was dedicated to autism awareness in honor of junior attack Samantha Marmo’s younger sister, Madison, who has autism. But you can read about that in the story from the paper. For now I want to talk about the team.
First off,  what I was most impressed with was the Blue Eagles off-ball movement on offense. Every time a player made a pass, they then either cut through the crease or cut under another player. That’s the basis of every good offense, quality off-ball movement, and IHA was flying.
First-year coach Sue Montegari is trying to build IHA into a state contender, not just a Bergen County one. That’s why you’ll hear her constantly yelling instructions to the team, challenging them in time outs, telling her attackers that not riding is unacceptable and ditto for defenders leaving a player unmarked in the crease. These are the little things great teams do consistently. IHA isn’t doing it all the time right now. But they’re getting there. I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re challenging Ridgewood and the rest of the state’s best very soon.
Games to watch
Today
Old Tappan at Wayne Hills, 4:30
Ramapo at Glen Rock, 4
Chatham at IHA, 4
Ridgewood at Glen Ridge, 4:15
Thursday
River Dell at Lakeland, 4
Northern Highlands at Holy Angels, 4
Bergen Tech at Wayne Valley, 4:30
Saturday
Wayne Hills at Fair Lawn, 11
North Jersey scoring leaders
Points (goals, assists)
Alyssa Tachon, Pequannock, 51 (39g, 12a)
Darby Kiernan, Ridgewood, 44 (31g, 13a)
Alex Faeth, Lakeland, 43 (25g, 18a)
Jordan Ford, Ridgewood, 43 (19g, 24a)
Haley Simons, Old Tappan, 42 (36g, 6a)
Annie Yost, Lakeland, 42 (32g, 10a)
Ileyana Little, Wayne Hills, 41 (27g, 14a)
Danielle Van Calcar, Ramapo, 41 (37g, 4a)
Cassandra Connolly, Fair Lawn, 40 (30g, 10a)
Julia Bradbury, Northern Highlands, 39 (31g, 8a)
Marisa Caponi, Indian Hills, 38 (34g, 4a)
Sydney Scherer, Bergen Tech, 37 (30g, 7a)
Kimberly Doyle, Wayne Valley, 35 (26g, 9a)
Daniella McMahon, Saddle River Day, 35 (27g, 8a)
Madison Carlucci, Wayne Valley, 34 (24g, 10a)
North Jersey goalie leaders
Save percentage
Kayla Rowley, River Dell, 71.8
Colleen Bringard, Pequannock, 69.0
Christina Vittas, Wayne Hills, 62.2
Angela DiPasquale, Paramus, 56.2
Alexus Arcaro, Pascack Valley, 54.0