Mike Lamberti

Correspondent

The Passaic Valley High girls lacrosse team had a difficult conclusion to its season, but the Hornets still battled through without their top player.

With Jennifer Sabbak sidelined for the last seven games, the Hornets worked hard for a win, but fell short. The season ended with an 11-10 setback, in overtime, to South Plainfield on May 16.

Sabbak had become Passaic Valley's first 100 goal scorer in lacrosse, after a game with Morris Hills on April 15. Her last game was April 26, an exciting 20-19 win over Fair Lawn in which Sabbak had eight goals and three assists.

"Jenn was still our second-leading goal scorer," said PV coach Lori Demsey. "She was a first-team all-county and all-league player."

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Sabbak, who will play at field hockey at Susquehanna University this fall, had 39 goals and eight assists this season.

Demsey noted that Emily Hyde, a sophomore, stepped up as a mid when Sabbak was out and rose to the challenge. Hyde had 28 goals and eight assists.

"Emily scored in every game but one, and is a true team player," said Demsey. "Alyssa Landi took her under her wing and guided Emily at the mid position. Playing both offense and defense put her on both sides of the field and she improved tremendously."

Landi, a senior, finished a strong season with 15 goals and 13 assists.

Catherine Bennett, a sophomore, moved from mid to attack and ended up being Passaic Valley's top goal scorer, with 41 goals and four assists.

Three players worked at center draw. Senior defender Melisa Conguta did a good job, along with freshman Olivia Shpiruk.

"In our last game of the year, 'Kat Lav', Ekaterina Lavrenov was on fire winning the draw in the second half of the game," said Demsey. "She kept the team in it all the way to overtime. Despite a loss to South Plainfield, the girls finished strong. The South Plainfield game was named 'The Golden Crosse' game, because the winner of the game earned a gold lacrosse stick that I painted. We will play them again next season to try and win it back."

Goalkeeper Zoe Weigele, a sophomore, finished the season with 231 saves and will be playing in leagues this summer.

Ashley Lawson and Ruba Mashal were fearless on the field, said Demsey.

"Ruba was always marking the top scorers from the other team and Ashley was on the other side netting goals," said Demsey. "They will both be attending Ramapo College and playing field hockey there."

Mariah Tovar came off the injured list and joined Melisa Conguta on defense.

"Melisa was very vocal and helped set up her teammates in transitions down the field," said Demsey. "Also playing defense were Lara Maza-Hilway and Olivia Shpiruk. They worked hard in practices and really focused on learning the sport."

Natalya Stahl scored six goals. A brilliant student, she will attend Oxford University this fall.

"Nell Grabowski, under the guidance from coach Lisa Clark, really stepped up in the last few games," said Demsey of the sophomore. "She was more aggressive and challenging players to the goal. She wasn't afraid to get pushed, and pushed back."

The graduating seniors are heading off to excellent schools. In addition to Stahl, Sabbak, Mashal and Lawson, Conguta will attend Georgia Tech, Isa Kara will go to Montclair State, Landi will attend the University of Colorado in Boulder to play club field hockey and Alexandra Mojica is off to William Paterson.

Demsey also announced that Kendra Lewicki, who played field hockey and lacrosse at PV, will play field hockey at William Paterson this fall.