SCT Rd 2 #19 Lacey at #3 Manalapan

 Great players step up in the biggest of situations and that is exactly what junior Vanessa Sarf did in the second round of the SCT against Lacey. Sarf scored four goals in a 5-2 victory for Manalapan to advance to the quarterfinals. 

Manalapan got on the board first seven minutes into the game when freshman Daniella Butash scored off a pass from junior Kasey Resker. Butash just missed a blast a couple minutes early wide right.  Sarf was able to put Manalapan up 2-0 four minutes later when she scored on a rebound off a blast from freshman Nicole Savage that hit the post. 

"One of our goals all season was to come out strong and take it to the team right from the start and not be on the defense for the first 15/20 minutes," Manalapan coach John Rogers said. "We came out strong and took it to them and the girls were really clicking today."

Lacey was able to respond right back with a goal by sophomore Natalie McGovern scored off a pass from senior Beth Stephens. Manalapan wasted no time to get that goal back, Sarf scored again off a pass from Resker. Sarf was able to complete the first half hat trick 27 minutes in, putting in another rebound off another shot from Savage. Lacey was able to make it a game minutes before halftime when freshman Olivia Miller was able to beat freshman goalie Leila Shaw one on one after she made a good run off a pass from McGovern.

Lacey had some good chances throughout the game but the Manalapan defense was always up for the challenge along with Shaw, who finished with four saves. Sarf was able to add her fourth goal in the 49th minute off a pass from Butash to put Manalapan up 5-2. 

"It's really hard to step up as a freshman," Sarf said about Shaw. "I thought she did really well today and she continues to play really good and making incredible saves, some game winning saves."

Manalapan played great all over the field, having someone in the right spot when they needed it. Senior Ryan Lee had a great defensive stop early on preventing McGovern from scoring that would have tied the game at that point. That play went from a possible 1-1 game to a 2-0 game with a counter attack by Manalapan.

"When I walked in they were a very close group, friendly group and they preached that family culture," Coach Rogers said. "We have worked on positive reinforcement and trying to make each other better and working as a family. As long as we keep preaching that we will be in good shape."


Player of the Game : Vanessa Sarf - Scoring 4 goals is tough to do but really tough in SCT and against a defense like Lacey.

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