By Jerry Del Priore

After a 2018 season, in which the West Morris Central High School girl’s lacrosse team went 1-15, the Wolfpack posted a 11-7 record (5-2 in its new league, the Freedom Conference), along with six players committing to colleges. The positive results spelled a successful turnaround campaign for the program.

Captain and the team’s lone senior, Emily Hoskin, who is ticketed to Division-III Moravian College, played a big part in WMC’s winning transformation. She registered 12 goals and three assists for 15 points, as well as forced four turnovers and scooped up 22 ground balls.

But it was Hoskin’s leadership skills that helped guide the young squad back to respectability, according to first-year WMC girl’s lacrosse coach Michelle Poole.

“Overall, the season was a pretty successful one,” Poole said. “We really worked well as a team and our cohesiveness grew throughout the season. We will miss Hoskin out there on the field, but I’m hopeful that next season will be even more successful since we are returning most of the team, in addition to getting some strong players back from injuries and younger players developing into even stronger players.”

Hoskin, an 18-year-old midfielder, couldn’t be happier with her college choice.

“I love the coaches from Moravian,” said Hoskin, who’s planning to study nursing at the Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, institution. “They were so nice. I met some of the girls on the team, and they were so outgoing.”

Junior Caroline Compoli, who is headed to D-III Gettysburg College in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania in September of 2020, enjoyed an outstanding campaign, posting 31 markers and 27 helpers for 58 points. She also forced nine turnovers while picking up 14 ground balls.  

“Caroline is our biggest threat on attack,” said Poole, who sang the praises of her overall standout player. “She is able to put the ball in the back of the net, but can also find her teammates cutting to the goal, which is why she led the team in points. Her hustle to redefend adds to her versatility.”

Junior Lauren Compoli, who scored 19 goals and had nine assists, is also slated for Gettysburg College.  

“Lauren is a strong midfielder who can outrun most people on the field,” Poole said. “She has a strong shot from almost any angle.”

Junior Emma Ortiz is the third Wolfpack player committed to Gettysburg. She posted an impressive 11-6 record in net, with 105 saves.

“Emma is a solid goalie and a vocal leader on our defensive end,” Poole said. “Her leadership skills are why she was voted captain by her peers.”

Following three of her teammates to the Keystone State, junior Maddie Ligos will be attending D-III University of Scranton, in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Ligos played a solid defense, especially when it came to player-to-player coverage.

“Maddie has shown herself as one of our best one-versus-one defenders,” Poole noted. “She causes turnovers and can get the ball up the field safely. She is also a vocal leader on the field.”

Lastly, junior Sarah Miller will see the lax field at D-I Colgate University. Miller controlled the faceoff with 110 wins, and found the back of the net 26 times, as well as chipping in with six assists.

“Sarah is an all around versatile player,” Poole said. “She takes the draw and dominates the draw for us. She is a threat on attack and also a strong defender.”

With six girls committed to the next level, it speaks volumes of the quality of WMC girl’s lacrosse, and there are sure more to come in the future for Coach Poole’s emerging program.