S. Jersey Girls: Thurs. S.J. girls: Shinkowitz sets goals mark

As coach of a fairly young girls' lacrosse program trying to gain a foothold at a smaller school, Sterling's Michelle Claybourn always keeps an eye out for fresh talent.

So several years ago, when she found out one of the boys in a youth group that she ran with her husband had a younger sister, Claybourn naturally asked, "What sports does she play?"

"Don't worry, she plays lacrosse," came the reply.

Does she ever.

That girl turned out to be Tori Shinkowitz, and on Thursday she set the South Jersey scoring record in a 19-9 loss at Haddonfield in a Colonial Conference game.

Shinkowitz's sixth goal of the afternoon gave her 335 in her career, passing Collingswood's Lisa Hagan, who had set the mark in 2000. Sterling began playing varsity lacrosse just nine years ago.

"I'm not sure how big of a deal this is," Shinkowitz said. "I'm still kind of processing it."

It might not have settled in for Shinkowitz, but others have been fast to realize. The contest paused for a moment, and Shinkowitz was presented with the game ball and a bouquet of flowers.

Shinkowitz, a senior, has scored 84 goals this season. Red Bank Catholic's Bri Moran is the all-time state leader with 365. Sterling has two regular-season games remaining before the state playoffs.

"She's got incredible speed," Claybourn said. "I don't think she has the fear that a lot of girls have. She'll take it through three girls and get checked in the head. She's willing."

Shinkowitz will play both Division I lacrosse and soccer at Long Island University, a place she settled on because it allowed her to play both sports.

"I can't imagine not playing either one," she said.

Olympic American. Eastern's Danielle LaRocca scored her 100th career goal, and the Vikings beat visiting Shawnee, 11-10, to clinch a share of the division title.

Eastern, The Inquirer's third-ranked team in South Jersey, and No. 2 Shawnee both finished 7-1 in the division and will split the title.

Austyn Cuneo and Alexa Rubino added two goals each. Carly Demato and Caroline Shinkse led Shawnee with three goals apiece.