Lacrosse

In 2006, Dan Fowler was a senior goalie for the Lenape boys' lacrosse team. He knows what "long-term" goals used to mean for most South Jersey boys' lacrosse programs. A division title. A conference title. Then try not to make it look so obvious when your team is fed to the North Jersey wolves in the state playoffs. "A lot of teams from this area were going to the playoffs and opening with teams who were years and years ahead of them as a program," Fowler said. Before the NJSIAA's decision to establish sectional championships in boys' lacrosse before this season, there essentially was no postseason for most of the top programs in South Jersey boys' lacrosse.

Episcopal Academy had one main defensive goal entering its lacrosse game against La Salle on Tuesday: stop Matt Rambo. The Churchmen delivered on their plan, frustrating Rambo all game and keeping the La Salle offense in check in an 8-2 victory. Rambo, a nationally regarded prospect who has committed to the University of Maryland, scored both of La Salle's goals, but the Explorers weren't able to keep the game close on a cold, windy afternoon at Episcopal. Entering the game, La Salle was the No. 3 team in the country, according to the Under Armour rankings.

Germantown Academy rallied from a five-goal deficit Tuesday to beat visiting Notre Dame, 12-11, in an Inter-Ac League lacrosse game. Notre Dame led, 9-4, early in the second half before Germantown Academy scored eight times, highlighted by Jennifer Stack's go-ahead goal. Emile Van Blarcom and Hanna Bogorowski each scored four times for GA. Central. Springfield (Delco) won at Harriton, 11-8, behind hat tricks from Emily Santana and Alex Poplawski. Catholic Academies. Ashley Stefanowicz led St. Basil with six goals and added two assists in a 20-11 victory at Nazareth Academy.

Despite Plymouth Whitemarsh's winning by 18-0 at home against Cheltenham on Wednesday, Colonials coach Phil Chang wasn't pleased. "I thought we were sloppy, but I think we got better as the game progressed," Chang said after the Suburban One American lacrosse game played on Plymouth Whitemarsh's football field in cold and rainy weather. With a 14-0 halftime lead, Chang used mostly reserves in the second half and changed his goalie three times, but Plymouth Whitemarsh still managed the shutout.

Attack: Mike Handlan, Moorestown, Jr. Handlan recorded 44 goals and 31 assists as a sophomore. Look for this University of Delaware recruit to become one of the state's elite offensive players this season. Attack: Reed Hoffman, Lenape, Sr. Hoffman enters the season with 113 goals. He leads a balanced Lenape team that should improve on last year's 11-8 overall record. Attack: Mike Reardon, West Deptford, Sr. Reardon led West Deptford with 55 goals and 20 assists in 2012.

Every year, there is a slogan - splashed across T-shirts worn all the players, usually yellow letters on black cotton. And this year's theme is as fitting as there has ever been: The endless pursuit of perfection. Hyperbole for some teams. For the Moorestown girls' lacrosse squad, it's a way of life, a standard of working and playing, proved repeatedly across generations. The Quakers are fresh off a 26-0 campaign, including a Tournament of Champions title - a perfect season.

Every year, there is a slogan - splashed across T-shirts worn by all the players, usually yellow letters on black cotton. This year's is as fitting as any has ever been: The endless pursuit of perfection. Hyperbole for some teams. For the Moorestown girls' lacrosse squad, it's a way of life, a standard of working and playing, proven repeatedly across generations. The Quakers are fresh off a 26-0 campaign, including a Tournament of Champions title - a perfect season. They are replacing eight starters, including Inquirer South Jersey player of the year Steph Toy, arguably the greatest player ever to represent the greatest high school girls' lacrosse program in the nation's history.