By Jaclynkelli Kronemberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 4/22/17
COLD SPRING HARBOR, N.Y. – Robin Panzarella tallied four goals to lead Moorestown to an 11-8 victory today, snapping Garden City’s 29 game winning streak at the Gains For Brains tournament at Cold Spring Harbor High School.
Robin Panzarella
Moorestown (8-1, 14th in Summit Lacrosse North America Rankings) had fallen to the Trojans (11-1, 7th in Summit Rankings), 8-7, in overtime in last year’s event. The event raises money to benefit the Making Headway Foundation, which is dedicated to the care and comfort of children with brain and spinal cord tumors. MSG Varsity’s Andrew (Raff) Rappaport founded the event two years ago to create a fun way to raise money for a needy cause.
“This was a good win for us,” said Panzarella, whose Quakers are ranked No. 4 in the Philly region by Phillylacrosse.com. “Since they are so highly ranked and such a good team, it’s a confidence booster to know we can come out on top. I think we are really happy to come up here even though it is a far drive. It was definitely worth it.
“A lot of people have to deal with cancer and being able to support a cause working against it in anyway especially through something we love like lacrosse, it really means a lot.”
Garden City last lost – ironically – to host Cold Spring Harbor on April 7 of 2016. The Trojans went on to win the NY Class B State title.
But today, after a close first half, Moorestown scored the first five goals of the second half to seize an 11-5 lead. Quinn Nicolai tallied two goals and two assists and Ava Frantz had a goal and an assist for Moorestown. The Quakers also won 14 of 19 draw controls and got three groundballs and a caused turnover from Rylee Brown.
“This was a hard fought battle and we knew it was going to be,” said Moorestown head coach Deanna Knobloch. “We knew coming in from last year it was going to be going to be a tough competition. Garden City is a great program and they are very well coached.
“I thought we came out and played really hard. We stuck to our game plan, which really helped us out. I’m really proud of the girls. We are honored to be asked to come back. This is an amazing tournament for a wonderful cause. We are happy to be a part of it and happy to give back to help cure this awful disease.”
Jackie Brattan tallied three goals and Jenn Medjid tallied two goals and two assists for Garden City.
“The tournament is for such a great cause,” said Garden City head coach Diane Chapman. “It is such an honor to be able to play in this game. Moorestown is a great team. They came out hard, strong and fast.
“My defense did a good job. We just didn’t take care of it when we got down on offense. It is hard to play a lot of defense against an incredibly strong offensive team. We just have to take care of the ball better there on our offense.”
Moorestown 11, Garden City 8
Moorestown: 6-5-11
Garden City: 5-3-8
M: Robin Panzarella 4g; Quinn Nicolai 2G, 2A ; Ava Frantz 1G, 2A ; Emily Culbertson 1G ; Cailin Field 1G; Kasey Knobloch 1G; Kayla Frank 1G
GC: Jackie Brattan 3G; Jenn Medjid 2G, 2A; Kelly George 2G, 1A; Sarah Kaval 1G
Saves: Kaitlin Larsson (GC) 7; Emily Toft (M) 6