“Sasha reads the field and anticipates plays on both attack and defense. She reminds me of a quarterback with her vision and athleticism.”

There is still time to right the ship for West Essex, but the wins will have to start coming soon.

“We have a motto and I say it every day to the girls - "It's a great day to have a great day." We try to keep that positive vibe throughout practice and remind ourselves how lucky we are to be playing the game of lacrosse in the best division in New Jersey. We get to be out on a field doing what we love every day.

“We push the level of competition in practice and in games and we are working on celebrating the "little victories" or the small things that will result into the bigger things.”

In a recent (Monday, April 21) contest vs. MKA, the Knights saw a tight contest open up with a late flurry by the Cougars who earned the 8-4 victory.

“The big difference during our recent, three-game win streak over Glen Rock, Montclair, and West Essex has been our ability to tighten up defensively while finding more consistency on offense,” said first-year head coach Kristen Dawes. “We struggled to finish plays early in the season and lacked rhythm, but lately, we’re playing with more confidence and chemistry. In addition, Ella Freeman in goal has come in clutch for all three wins with big saves and strong leadership.”

Dealing with its stiff schedule means MKA has to limit scoring opportunities for the strong cast of teams it is facing.

“To continue our recent success, it starts with staying consistent defensively,” Dawes stated. “That means maintaining communication, staying disciplined, and limiting turnovers that lead to transition chances. Offensively, we need to keep improving their execution — making the most of possessions, finishing opportunities, and continuing to play unselfishly. Against top-tier opponents, every possession counts, so being sharp and composed under pressure is key.

“Most importantly, we have to keep leaning on their leadership and team chemistry. The energy, resilience, and belief we’ve built during this recent win streak will be just as essential. If we can stay locked in, trust each other, and play with confidence, we’ll be ready for whatever these upcoming games throw at us.”

MKA has the offensive punch to continue to be a big factor on the attack.

“The offensive contributions from Shea Murphy, Bebe Scourzo, Payton Sullivan, Biko McNeil, and Maggie Murphy have been really encouraging not just in terms of goals, but in the way they’ve helped drive the attack with energy and purpose,” said Dawes. “Each brings something a little different, and that variety has made the offense more dynamic. For the Cougars to keep pushing forward, that group will be key. They’ve shown they can be dangerous when they’re playing with confidence and attacking the goal — now it’s about staying consistent and continuing to grow that chemistry each game.”

ECT history-wise, while Glen Ridge has won eight of the first 19 titles, West Essex still leads the way with 10.

D’Urso can think back with pride on the fact that West Essex girls lacrosse won four straight Essex County Tournament titles and a pair of NJSIAA Group 2 state championships during her own scholastic career (2006-2009) as a key performer for the Wessex laxladies.

But, somewhere along the line the Knights lost a bit of their accustomed ‘mojo’ as the program followed up a subsequent string of continued success, including ECT titles in 2011 and 2014 with accompanying winning records by hitting a snag with four straight sub.-500 campaigns from 2016-2019.

Legendary coach Jill Cosse stepped aside before a 2020 season that never materialized due to the covid virus.

D’Urso, a former Northeast Conference Defensive Player of the Year and regional All-American at Monmouth University, stepped into the head coaching position in 2021 as the second-year head mentor Bettina Plesnitzer had stepped aside while on maternity leave.
D'Urso, who had been a Wessex assistant coach and previously a successful head coach at Wayne Valley.

MKA’s Dawes has experience as both a coach and NJSIAA lacrosse official.

She officiated girls lacrosse from 2006 to 2019, including officiating NJSIAA varsity games for several seasons while increasing her knowledge of the rules and nuances of lacrosse before she transitioned back to coaching. She was also the head coach at Kent Place in Summit from 2003 to 2005 following a stint as an assistant at Montclair High School.

 

ECT GIRLS LACROSSE FINALS
2024: Glen Ridge 15 Montclair 9
2023: West Essex 12 Montclair 6
2022: West Essex 8 Montclair 7
2021: West Essex 10 MKA 5
2020: No tournament due to covid-19
2019: Glen Ridge 12 MKA 9
2018: Glen Ridge 11 Montclair 9
2017: Glen Ridge 18 Montclair 11
2016: Glen Ridge 14 Verona 6
2015: Montclair 14 West Essex 13 (in 3 OTs)
2014: West Essex 11 Montclair 7
2013: Glen Ridge 8 West Essex 6
2012: Glen Ridge 17 West Essex 7
2011: West Essex 9 Glen Ridge 8
2010: Glen Ridge 11 West Essex 10
2009: West Essex 9 Montclair 5
2008: West Essex 13 Columbia 11
2007: West Essex 7 Montclair 4
2006: West Essex 13 Montclair 5
2005: West Essex 11 Montclair 6