April 21, 2005

Moorestown Girl's Lacrosse: Carrying On The Tradition

The term `dynasty,' when used in the sports vernacular, is an overwhelmingly subjective term. Football fans were inundated with dynastic talk last winter as the NFL's Patriots went for their third Super Bowl in four years. Numerous other teams in a variety of sports - the Yankees, UNC women's soccer, Salisbury men's lacrosse - have been tabbed with the label.

While the exact definition of a dynasty can be argued to death, most teams earning the tag have a steady level of success from year-to-year, regardless of the individuals who may come or go.

The dynasty talk becomes interesting (at least to me, anyway) when you examine how the teams are able to keep their play at such a high level. Some just have more talent than the competition. Others might have `a coaching genius' - another tired term - at the helm.

Both attributes mentioned above may play a factor in the success of the Moorestown High School girl's lacrosse team, an athletic dynasty by any definition after winning the last five New Jersey state titles.

Located 15 miles east of Philly, Moorestown has built a tremendous youth system feeding the high school program with players who are now dotting the rosters of numerous collegiate teams.

The Lady Quakers coach, Deanna Knobloch, was a standout player at Trenton State (now known as The College of N.J.) and has been inducted into the state lacrosse Hall of Fame and boasts an astounding career record of 238-15-4 since she took over her alma mater's team in 1992.

But as far as Knobloch is concerned, the continued success of Moorestown has been reliant on chemistry, dedication and, frankly, a little bit of fear.

"While it definitely helps to have a feeder program, the success of our program lies in the players to carry on the tradition from year-to-year," said Knobloch earlier this week, in between giving her two children a bath. "No team wants to be remembered as the team that `lost.'

"We also encourage the girls to play other sports in order to bring diversity to the field. Our players recognize the need to practice year round in order to play the game at such a high level. This is accomplished through winter leagues, personal training and winter captain's practices."

Similar to the way other great sports programs operate, Knobloch tries to alter the game in a way that will give the Lady Quakers' opponents the toughest time containing them.

"We strive to play the game differently than any other team," said Knobloch, who earned All-American honors while playing defense for Trenton State. "Our offense is a settled one revolving around different motions and several plays. We stress tough, aggressive defense with constant pressure all over the field. Most importantly, we work to become a family. Our girls truly care about one another and have fun together on and off the field."

Now, this isn't to say Knobloch's teams have been achieving all their success with a great attitude and a clever game plan. As previously mentioned, a bunch of Moorestown alumnae have graduated on to be stellar players at the collegiate level.

Last season, Margie Curran and Megan O'Malley were the horses that carried Moorestown to a state title and the No. 2 national ranking by US Lacrosse Magazine. Curran is now bolstering the Vanderbilt line-up while O'Malley signed on with the defending national champion Virginia Cavaliers.

Knobloch knows she has several top-level players returning on this year's squad, which has equated into a 7-0 start. Senior midfielder Cara Giordano is described as "tough and relentless," by her coach, while senior defender Amy Lewis "is the toughest player on the field and will not let herself or her teammates get beat."

Brooke Cantwell, the team's current leading scorer, "makes every opportunity count with either an assist or perfectly placed goal and never gives up." And although Jess Davis may not be the most physically intimidating player on the field, she "plays like she is six-feet tall! You can't watch a game without noticing her."

With the high praise she has for her team, it is not a surprise the coach isn't lowering her lofty expectations. Although Knobloch and her assistant coach - husband, K.C. - lost Curran and O'Malley, this team might even be better than last.

"I would like to think there is a tremendous amount of potential to repeat as state champions," she said. "Although we graduated two of the best players we've ever coached, we have a solid nucleus of juniors returning with lots of depth on the bench.

"Unlike last year, when we mostly relied on those two players to carry the team offensively, every one of our attackers is a threat to score. Our defense is tough, anchored by a very talented junior goalie who started as a sophomore. Our goals for this season are the same as they have always been: get back to the state final and win it and regain our No. 1 national ranking!"

When the dynasty grows longer, however, the size of the bulls eye gets larger. While Moorestown has worn the crown for the last five years, there are plenty of teams waiting patiently for their crack at the throne.

"In the state of New Jersey, the following teams represent our biggest challenge: Shawnee, Eastern, Mountain Lakes, Oak Knoll," conceded Knobloch. "However, our biggest obstacle is ourselves. If we take care of ourselves and play together as a team, we should meet all of our goals and expectations.

"Our biggest challenge is finding the right chemistry and combination of players on the field while keeping the team focused on our daily goals. Although we are young, starting nine underclassmen, this team has a chance to be something special."

For Moorestown, `special' means winning. That's what dynasties do.

Past High School Notebooks:

Katie Samson Is Keeping Hope Alive
Opening Up Texas' Private Club
Life In The MIAA
Rocky Mountain High (School Action)
Cali Shows Its Stuff at First 4
Noting The Northeast
Living Well In The Sunshine State

Have an idea or comment for the Thursday High School Notebook? Email Jac Coyne.