Cherokee wins girls’ lacrosse title

Kelsey Overbeck is making the most of the final days of her career.

Overbeck, a senior attack, scored four goals, including the 100th of her career, to lead Cherokee to a 13-9 victory over Washington Township on Monday night in the championship game of the South Jersey Group 4 girls' lacrosse tournament.

"I'm a senior and I'm trying to play as long as possible," Overbeck said.

Juniors Lauren Karpovitch and Melissa Arthur and sophomore Michelle Gonzales added two goals each for top-seeded Cherokee (20-2), which has won 14 in a row.

Cherokee advanced to face North Jersey champion Ridgewood in the Group 4 state title game Thursday at 5 p.m. at Robbinsville.

Junior Erin Waller scored five goals for second-seeded Washington Township (17-4).

"Cherokee played well and they deserved it," Washington Township coach Sandy Stockl said. "I'm proud of my girls for putting us in this position. We'll be back."

The game marked the third year in a row the Olympic American rivals had met in the sectional title game. Cherokee won in 2008 and Washington Township won in 2009.

"They took it from us last year," Overbeck said. "We wanted to come back for revenge."

Overbeck scored the game's first two goals in the first 97 seconds. The second goal was the 100th of her career.

"I wanted to come out strong and get that," Overbeck.

Cherokee built a 9-4 halftime lead with balanced offensive play and strong defensive work led by senior goalie Lindsay Barrie (five saves).

Washington Township rallied in the second half, twice closing within two goals.

"We knew they were going to come back strong," Cherokee coach Kate Maloney said. "They knocked us down a little but we kept control of the game."

Washington Township got within 11-9 on a goal by Lou Kalitz with 5:44 on the clock. Cherokee answered with goals from Katelyn Haverstick on a nice assist from Ashley Singer, and Gonzales.

"I was getting a little scared," Overbeck said of Washington Township's rally. "But we settled our nerves and then we were OK."

Washington Twp.   4 5 - 9

Cherokee   9 4 - 13

WT: Erin Waller 5, Steph Gardner, Katie Gill, Nicole Tiernan, Lou Kalitz.

CL Kelsey Overbeck 4, Lauren Karpovitch 2, Melissa Arthur 2, Michelle Gonzales 2, Ashley Singer, Brittani Keys, Katelyn Haverstick.

Saves: WT-Katrina Dargusch, 2 and Meredith Bechler, 2; C-Lindsay Barrie, 5.