OB girls lacrosse getting ready for season opener Lady Knights looking to improve on last year's 13-6 record BY WARREN RAPPLEYEA Staff Writer Aveteran lineup returns for the Old Bridge High School girls lacrosse team and coach Steve Gajewski's goal is to contend for the GreaterMiddlesex Conference (GMC) championship. Last season the Lady Knights went 13-6 and reached the quarterfinals of the NJSIAAGroup IV North tourney. Old Bridge downed GMC rival East Brunswick in the opening round before bowing toHillsborough.Afterwinning theGMC title two years ago, Gajewski's girls finished second behind North Brunswick a year ago. Old Bridge is slated to open the season at home onApril 2 against East Brunswick. "We're looking to have a big year,"Gajewski said. "Many of these girls have been together for a few years. They know each other and they know what's expected. "We have a lot of kids returning as does North Brunswick. So it should be a good battle, plus there are several up and coming teams in the conference." Old Bridge is known for its powerful offense and, if anything, the attack may be even more potent this time around. Amber Zimmerlink returns to her midfield post after scoring 72 goals and adding 32 assists. The senior, who has accepted a scholarship at Iona College, regularly faces double-coverage and still puts the ball in the net consistently. Old Bridge's midfield may well be the best in theGMC. In addition to Zimmerlink, theKnights have SamKochie and Courtney McNallan so opponents have to be careful if they focus on one player. Kochie was spectacular in scoring 48 goals a year ago, while McNallan added 17 tallies playing a more reserved game as she recovered from an ACLinjury.Nowfully recovered,McNallan's numbers are likely to go up as well. If that's not enough firepower, Gajewski is moving sophomore Nina Veneziale, who started as a freshman, up fromdefense and the coach expects her to addmore fuel to the attack. Veneziale will help fill the role of Katie Fitzpatrick who distributed the ball. Fitzpatrick graduated in June. Seniors Jacqueline Baldino, SusanKelly and Emily Tetley along with junior Mary Honanwill be up front for the LadyKnights. All saw playing time a year ago. Gajewski said this group should have plenty of scoring opportunities. Laura Rumolo andGenevieve Vidas,who both graduated, scored 25 and 20 goals, respectively last year. Gajewskimay alsomoveMichelle DeFilippo, who played defense last season, to the front line. "We're going to be able to score, I don't think there's any doubt about that," Gajewski said. "Lacrosse is all about possession of the ball and our girls do a good job of holding on to the ball once they get it until they set up a scoring chance." While the offense garnersmost of the attention, there is plenty of talent on the other side of the ball as well. Heather Kesselman enters her third varsity campaign in the net where she saved 65 percent of opponents' shots as a junior. Fellow juniors Christine Cannon and Danielle Nathanson give the Lady Knights a pair of veteran defenders to go with Samantha Bartelli, who has earned a starting nod, marking the second year in a row Gajewski has started a freshman.