After streak, they lost close match to powerhouse West Deptford, 12-10
By CLYDE HUGHES/Special to the Sentinel
LINWOOD – The Mainland Regional girls lacrosse team entered this week on a six-game winning streak before losing on the road to perennial lacrosse power West Deptford 12-10 on Saturday.
The 7-3 Mustangs appear to be on a collision course with rival Ocean City on May 25, but until then, Mainland coach Kelly Klever said her team, 7-3 and 6-1 in the Cape -Atlantic League National Division, has made up for lost time after their entire spring 2020 season was canceled because of the coronavirus.
“Yes, the athletes have been more appreciative to be out on the field again,” Klever said. “It kind of reminds me of that quote ‘you don’t know what you have until it’s gone.’ We have not had challenges getting everyone focused because these athletes know what it feels like to lose an entire season.
“They come to lacrosse, every day, already focused and ready to play, learn, grow and have fun doing what they love again. The energy on the field is awesome and very rarely do we hear complaining. They have asked to have more and longer practices. I think the challenges we face are in different categories other than the focus of the athletes,” she added.
Casey Murray has been Mainland’s scoring machine this season with 46 goals as the Mustangs average 15.3 goals per game compared to giving up 10.5. Charlotte Walcoff has scored 28 goals while leading the team with eight assists. Julianna Medina follows here with 23 goals and sophomore Eva Blanco with 21.
Klever also counts Cassie Sher (Defensive M), Carly Strang (D), Christina Cohen (D) Bella Tenaglia (M) and Samantha Rothman (A) among her top returning players.
“The one aspect that has been challenging in coaching after not having a season is patience,” Klever said. “Having patience while our athletes shake off the cobwebs, remembering and practicing the fundamentals again and learning each other’s playing styles to build that team chemistry has been crucial.
“I constantly remind myself that our freshman are basically eighth-graders on the field, our sophomores are freshman, juniors are sophomores and so on and so forth,” Klever said.
Among the newcomers this season Blanco is emerging was one of the Mustangs’ future stars.
“Eva is an all-around amazing lacrosse player,” Klever said. “She can do just about anything on the field and does it with such ease. Eva is a crucial part of our attack, midfield and defense. Eva’s skill, lacrosse IQ and coachability has landed her in a leadership role as a sophomore and I have no doubts she will continue to fulfill that role throughout her time at Mainland.”
Klever said Kylie Kurtz has earned the role of Mainland goalie as a freshman, a rarity in the sport. She has 56 saves in six games this season.
“Kylie is active, athletic, focused and very skilled,” Klever said. “Kylie is the type of athlete who has ice in her veins. She is the type of goalie to step up in big games and take the challenge head on. She had 11 saves in her very first game with us against Middle Township and she is what kept us in that game. Playing to that level, in that game, as the first game as a freshman speaks for itself.”
Klever said one of her surprise players has been transfer Lynn McLaughlin from Atlantic County Institute of Technology, who had never played lacrosse until she came to Mainland.
“Lynn has earned a starting position in our defense by her athletic, tenacious and strong presence,” Klever said. “It’s no surprise being that she is a McLaughlin and the McLaughlins are one of the most athletic families in this area. The 12th McLaughlin, Mary, just graduated two years ago and I had the pleasure of coaching Mary and now I have the pleasure of coaching Lynn.”
Klever also praised freshman attacker Lani Ford as doing a great job “getting it down into our offensive end and playing team attack with her teammates.” She said Jane Meade has stood out as a sophomore midfielder.
“Jane is our scrappy, athletic and versatile player who steps up to any opponent she faces,” Klever said. “She is calm in her play and comes up with the touches needed to spark the momentum in our way.”
“It is hard to describe but Jane is the type of player who might not get the statistic but involved in every play whether it’s a box out on the draw for her teammate to get possession, a little check to cause a turnover or clearing space for her teammates, Jane is an all-around team player who’s role is crucial in our success,” she added.
Klever said Mainland’s biggest challenge on the field this year has been the team learning each other’s strengths and plays styles in a short period of time.
“We were able to start stick practices in April compared to March which called for us to accelerate our pre-season. It took us a little bit to find our groove as a new team with majority of new personnel.
“To be successful this year, we need to be resilient and mentally tough. As coaches, we have a ‘next play’ mentality and really stress that to our athletes. Being able to adjust, adapt and overcome is something that people need to not only be successful in athletics but in life and that is why we are really out here. Winning is fun, yes, but it is the qualities we learn through sports that build integrity these athletes will have throughout their lifetime,” Klever said.
Mainland started its season 1-2, with losses to Middle Township (13-12) and Cherokee (19-5). The Mustangs were able to avenge the loss to Middle, beating them 18-8 on May 7. One of the Mustangs’ next big challenges will be taking on their rivals Ocean City (7-2) on the road in Carey Stadium on May 25.
Klever said she hopes their success this season will be the right building blocks for that contest.
“We hope the players learn to be resilient,” Klever said. “Not saying they aren’t right now, but this season is an opportunity to practice resiliency every single day. Things are constantly changing and being able to handle those changes with composure and confidence.
“We also want them to practice the things necessary for their overall health and wellness. A pandemic can be pretty mentally taxing, we practice positive self-talk, confidence, facing challenges and obstacles with a positive outlook and viewing ‘failure’ as an opportunity to learn. We practice these things just as much, if not more, than being good lacrosse players.”
Mainland played Cedar Creek on Monday and will be at Atlantic City on Wednesday. The Mustangs will be on the road against Absegami on May 24 before their big showdown with Ocean City.
