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Brooks, Nicolai carry Moorestown past Shawnee

Abbey Brooks is not 5-foot-1. She is 5-foot-1 1/2. "That's with my cleats on," Brooks said. "That's my edge." The diminutive Moorestown senior stood tall when her girls' lacrosse team needed her most in a showdown Thursday with rival Shawnee.

Abbey Brooks is not 5-foot-1.

She is 5-foot-1 1/2.

"That's with my cleats on," Brooks said. "That's my edge."

The diminutive Moorestown senior stood tall when her girls' lacrosse team needed her most in a showdown Thursday with rival Shawnee.

Brooks and sophomore Quinn Nicolai led a second-half surge as the undefeated Quakers pulled away from a 4-4 tie to register a 10-5 victory on the Renegades' home field.

"I knew we would pull through," Brooks said. "I always have faith in my team."

Brooks and Nicolai both registered hat tricks as Moorestown, the No. 1 team in The Inquirer South Jersey Top 10, improved to 8-0 this season and extended its winning streak to 84 games.

Junior Liza Barr had a goal and an assist, and senior Lily Argyle made seven saves for third-ranked Shawnee (4-3).

"This was a great game for us to play," Shawnee coach Aimee Seward said. "I loved the way our girls played together. When they do that, they are something special."

The speedy, spirited Brooks personifies a Moorestown team that remains a work in progress despite its perfect record.

"I love this team's hustle and intensity," Moorestown coach Deanna Knobloch said. "There is never a time when they don't give 100 percent. They put their heart out there and go for it.

"At the same time, we're not where we need to be."

Moorestown found itself in a battle in a warm, sunny afternoon on Shawnee's artificial turf.

The Renegades tied the score at 4-4 on Barr's rebound goal just 69 seconds into the second half.

"They could have crumbled when it was 4-4 because they are the team that's always on top," Knobloch said of her players. "Instead, they rose to the occasion."

Brooks and Nicolai combined to score five of the goals as Moorestown finished the game on a 6-1 run.

"There's a lot of pressure," Brooks said of the Quakers' winning streak and status as one of the country's most prestigious programs. "But I think when we're under pressure, that's when we work together best.

"It's like, 'Stop, slow down, look at each other.' We know we're Moorestown. We're going to keep the dynasty alive."

Brooks said she grew up in Moorestown and started playing lacrosse in third grade. She said she always dreamed of playing for the Quakers' varsity.

"I couldn't imagine playing for another team," Brooks said.

Brooks said she has been motivated through her career by doubters who questioned her ability to flourish at the highest levels of the sport because of her height.

"I can't tell you how many people told me I couldn't play Division I (college lacrosse) because I was too small," Brooks said. "I like proving them wrong."

Brooks committed to attend Rutgers University on a lacrosse scholarship at the end of her sophomore year. She said the Scarlet Knights were "a perfect fit" for her.

Knobloch said the Quakers have "great senior leadership" that will allow the team to continue to improve over the course of the season.

Brooks said the team's seniors try to embrace the expectations that come with the Quakers' success.

"We don't want to be the senior class that loses," Brooks said. "We're there for each other. I have all my teammates' backs and they have my back."

Moorestown 4 6 - 10

Shawnee 3 2 - 5

Goals: M-Abbey Brooks 3, Quinn Nicolai 3, Adriana Pendino 2, Melanie Becker 1, Clair D'Antonio 1; S-Molly Beachler 1, Maddie Bray 1, Carolina Farley 1, Liza Barr 1, Samantha Tucci 1.

Saves: M-Jess Goralski 5; S-Lily Argyle 7.

panastasia@phillynews.com

@PhilAnastasia

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