South Plainfield girls lacrosse ready to make strides

When it comes to returning players, any coach would be excited when a wealth of talent and experience will be the heart of their lineup.

For the South Plainfield High School girls lacrosse team, that’s a problem that coach Tammy Zurka and assistant coach Karl Spolarich are looking forward to having.

After finishing 7-10 last season, the Tigers return almost its entire roster, 12 of which are seniors. According to Zurka, most of those players will make up the starting lineup.

“We’re definitely bringing back lots of experience that will help lead us in the right direction,” Zurka said. “We’re going to keep playing until we get it right.”

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South Plainfield lost five players from last year’s team, including leading scorer Michaella Butrico, who finished with 74 goals, 10 assists and 181 ground balls. Butrico ended her high school career with 223 goals, 23 assists and 626 ground balls.

Senior Ashley Veliz returns after registering 46 goals, eight assists and 116 ground balls. Senior Olivia O’Leary (14 goals) is also back, along with junior Quinn Milane (12 goals, six assists) and junior goalie Tatianna Sutor, who made 243 saves last year and also recorded two assists.

Sophomores Caylee Dress, Lynda Farinella and Kate Smith are newcomers who will be looked to to help bolster the lineup, while second year varsity sophomore Bridget Simpson will be asked to create scoring opportunities.

“We’re definitely looking strong, our transition looks better every day,” Zurka said. “We want to increase our defensive turnovers and turn them into scoring opportunities, one of the biggest things we’re concentrating on is goalie stops and defensive turnovers.”

Despite the amount of returning players, Zurka isn’t looking for her team to get complacent. She wants her team to work hard every day in order to compete in the Greater Middlesex Conference and the state.

“We need to work on everything, remembering the basics and practicing them every day,” Zurka said. “We’re working on getting smoother as a full 12 players on the field, throwing, catching, just the anticipation of knowing who is going where and the flow of who’s on the field and going with it.”

South Plainfield has only been in existence since 2004, when Zurka helped to create the program. The Tigers have made strides in recent years, and Zurka is excited to see where her team can go this season.

“Just watching my girls grow as athletes, watching them progress on the field and seeing what their true capability is,” Zurka said of what she’s excited for this season. “Watching them reach their full capability, and what they can do with it when they get there.”

Staff Writer Lauren Knego: lknego@gannettnj.com; on Twitter: @laurenknego