Shaughnessy, James lead North All-Star to victory in Girls Lacrosse Senior All-Star Game

MIDDLETOWN – Sarah Shaughnessy had been trying all year to pull off a wild, highlight-reel goal, and in the final game of her high school career she made it happen.

Shaughnessy’s spinning, behind-the-back goal with nine minutes left in the second half was part of a surge by the North All-Stars that sent them to a 12-11 victory in the 2019 Shore Girls Lacrosse Coaches Association Senior All-Star Game at Middletown South. Shaughnessy tied for the game-high with four goals and was selected as the game’s most valuable player.

“I’ve been waiting all lacrosse season to do that,” Shaughnessy said. “I’ve had a lot of attempts but that one actually worked. It felt great.”

Click here for more photos from the game by Richard O'Donnell.

Shaughnessy was third in the Shore Conference in goals with 80 while adding 23 assists, 49 ground balls and 43 draw controls. She will continue her career at Wagner College.

“This game meant a lot,” Shaughnessy said. “I’ve known a lot of these girls through club lacrosse and playing against them, so it felt great to play with and against them in the last game of my high school career.”

Bringing home the MVP trophy added to the memorable night.

“It felt great,” Shaughnessy said. “I’ll remember this forever.”

Rumson-Fair Haven’s Cassie James led all players with four goals and two assists, including the go-ahead goal with 1:30 left in the game. James earned one of two senior scholarships awarded by the coaches association, which she’ll use when she continues her lacrosse career at Monmouth University.

“This was so awesome, I’m so glad the rain didn’t get in our way and we were actually able to play,” James said. “It was pretty cool because the duration of my lacrosse career I’ve played with most of these kids, so it was a final end to a good high school career for all of us.”

James’ high school career can certainly be described as better than simply good. James posted 62 goals and 13 assists and added 47 draw controls and 25 ground balls to help Rumson capture its seventh straight Shore Conference Tournament title and extend it’s mind-boggling Shore Conference winning streak to 121 games. James concluded her career with 137 goals and 162 points.

“That (Shore Conference Tournament) was the best moment of my life, hands down,” James said. “It was a cool experience to win at Monmouth University where I'm going and playing next year. To continue that legacy is not only for our team now but for the alumni that started it and the kids who are coming in. It’s an expectation at Rumson and I’m glad I was able to uphold it.”

St. John Vianney’s Hannah Vates added two goals for the North All-Stars while Holmdel’s Erin Mendini had one goal and two assists and Jackson Liberty’s Donna Polhemus scored once. Manalapan’s Lexi Urbanek and Middletown North’s Erika Larsen combined in goal to make three saves.

Southern’s Colleen Mason scored three times and Red Bank Catholic’s Abi George and Howell’s Olivia Manghisi tallied two goals and one assist each to lead the South All-Stars. Southern’s Hollyann Yannacone notched one goal and one assist and was also a recipient of a senior scholarship. Middletown South South’s Kelsey Naclerio, Freehold Township’s Kirsten Murphy and Trinity Hall’s Coleen Cusat each scored once. Toms River North goalie Jessica Holtz was strong in goal with five saves.

Managing editor Bob Badders can be reached at bob.badders@townsquaremedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @Bob_Badders. Like Shore Sports Network on Facebook and subscribe to our YouTube channel for all the latest video highlights.