Patrick Mulranen
LINWOOD -- Lauren LaMonaca, Jade O'Neil and the entire Mainland Regional High School girls lacrosse team dominated from the start Thursday.
And that's an understatement.
LaMonaca and O'Neil each scored five goals to lead the fifth-seeded Mustangs to a 25-4 victory over 12th-seeded Steinert in a South Jersey Group III first-round game at All Wars Memorial Park's turf field.
LaMonaca added five ground balls, four assists and 10 draw controls, including the 100th of her career. O'Neil contributed two ground balls, two draw controls and an assist.
Mainland (11-7), which is No. 10 in The Press Elite 11, will play fourth-seeded Ocean City in the quarterfinals Monday.
"We like to start off strong with the draw," said LaMonaca, a sophomore midfielder. "I can't do it without the two girls I have in the circles, Sophia (Blanco) and Ava (Sheeran). We start off strong and we try to push the ball really hard and we just try to come out harder every quarter."
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Mainland is a young team with many sophomores leading the way, like Blanco, LaMonaca and O'Neil. The Mustangs only have three seniors starting. LaMonaca (49 goals), Blanco (32) and O'Neil (23) are three of the Mustangs' top scorers. Goalie Kaella Lee is a freshman but averages 4.05 goals per game. So, despite its youth, Mainland has put together a strong season.
The Mustangs led 12-1 after the first quarter and 15-2 at halftime Thursday.
"It started right from the draw. Everyone on the draw has great energy," O'Neil said. "It just turns into our offense. We really move the ball well as a team. I think everyone gets great scoring opportunities.
"Our coach (Kelly Klever) puts us in great positions to score and uses each player to the best of their abilities. I think our defense plays really strong as well. Overall, we all came out really hard. We knew we needed this win. It's our goal to play as hard and as long as possible."
Avery Notaro scored four and assisted on another for Mainland. Sheeran added three goals, two assists, eight draw controls and seven ground balls. Blanco scored four to go with two assists, five ground balls and three draw controls.
Maggie Albert scored three and assisted on another. Maddie Meade also scored. Lee made two saves. Defenders Caroline Sher, Meade and Keelyn McLaughlin held Steinert to just one goal per quarter. McLaughlin led with two forced turnovers.
Klever said her players have "really been working on playing Mainland lacrosse for all four quarters."
"No matter who the opponent is," she added. "I am just really proud of the girls today."
That was evident Thursday as multiple players contributed offensively.
"And it really stemmed even deeper from there," said Klever, noting a solid defense also played a major part in the team win. "While goals are cool, it originated from a lot of team play today. Again, I am proud of the girls for doing it."
LaMonaca and O'Neil were not totally surprised with the big win.
"We have very low numbers, but I think it, honestly, really improved our team," LaMonaca said. "Everyone works together. It makes us more of a family. Every single person contributes tremendously."
O'Neil said because she and her teammates "are having so much fun, we are just hungry for more."
"We are coming out with as much energy as possible," she said. "We are just taking it one step at a time. We just really wanted this win today."
Ocean City defeated Mainland 11-7 on March 31 and 10-3 on April 24. The Red Raiders (14-5) are No. 6 in the Elite 11.
"We are excited to play Ocean City," Klever said. "We usually don't get a chance to see them in (the playoffs). It'll be cool to see them for a third time. It's always a competitive game. Ocean City is a solid program, and they are well-coached. They really play, like, a true game of lacrosse.
"I am excited for the girls to show up and play lacrosse with each other."
LaMonaca and O'Neil are just as excited.
"It's going to be a great game," LaMonaca said. "They did beat us twice. But we are a good team and they are a good team. It will be fun."
"It's always a good game when we play them," O'Neil said. "They are a great team as well."
GALLERY: Mainland hosts Steinert in girls lacrosse playoff game
Contact Patrick Mulranen:
609-272-7217
PMulranen@pressofac.com
X @ACPressMulranen
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