ZO GOOD: Hun School girls’ lacrosse player Zoe Cook heads to goal in a game last year. Junior midfielder Cook figures to be a key offensive threat again this year for Hun after earning All-Prep honors in 2017. The Raiders open their 2018 campaign by playing at Monroe High on March 29. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

When the Hun School girls’ lacrosse team chants “USA, USA” this year, it will be expressing more than just patriotism.

“We have an acronym this year, USA, which has a meaning that is twofold,” said Hun head coach Liz Cook, who guided the Raiders to a 12-4 record and the state Prep A semis last year and is entering her fourth season at the helm of the program. “It means united, strong, and aggressive; that is what we want to be in that order. We also have a lot of patriotic kids.”

Cook is depending on senior tri-captains, Hannah Bunce, Josie Cook, and Lauren Cunniff to help the team embody the “USA” mindset.

“They have given us really good senior leadership; they seem to be instilling this culture of positivity which I have been trying to instill since the beginning,” said Cook, whose squad opens its 2018 season by playing at Monroe on March 29.

“They are taking the reins and they are letting the team know that the sky is the limit and they all buy in.”

The hard-charging Bunce will be leading a really good midfield which features junior Zoe Cook and junior transfer Lauren Johns along with sophomore Emily Albanese and freshman Renee Nearing.

“Hannah, Zoe, and Lauren are leading the midfield; the three of them have worked well together, they played summer club together so it is a natural fit to put them all together,” said Cook.

“I also have Emily, who plays for Garden State Elite as well. She did really nice things for us last year as a freshman. I also have Renee, who can run all day. She is going to be a nice midfielder.”

The Raiders boast some nice options at attack in junior Kiera Black, sophomore transfer Rose Denommee, freshman Nicki Renna, senior Piper Schinsky, and sophomore Sophie Tarditi.

“I have Kiera at attack; Rose is a key newcomer, she is coming from Dana Hall in Massachusetts and she is great,” said Cook.

“Nicki is going to fill some big shoes. Piper is a retuning senior and she is awesome. Sophie is new to the varsity roster and she is going to do really great things.”

On defense, senior Josie Cook will be spearheading the back line, joined by junior Kendall Nehlig, sophomore Grace Davis and the Ross sisters, sophomore Chessie and senior Izzy.

“Josie is the most vocal, aggressive defender. She is going to lead the way,” said Cook.

“Kendall played back there as well last year, so they are our two returning defenders. Grace was a JV player last year and she is coming up. She is a thoughtful defensive player. Chessie and Izzy are both defenders. Chessie played great in Hilton Head (S.C.) on our spring trip; she went right to the defender spot beautifully. We have a good little unit back there.”

Hun has a very good goalie in senior standout
Cunniff. “Lauren is an incredibly bright player and student; she is such a leader,” said Cook, who also has freshman Hailey Wexler playing at goalie.

“She is amazing between the pipes. She is so steady Eddie, nothing rattles her. I am really lucky and fortunate to have her back there.”

With her players working hard and bonding well on the trip to Hilton Head, Cook believes they could do some amazing things this spring.

“I am really happy that they are clicking, and that is what is I like about the trip that we do,” said Cook.

“It is, let’s come together and be confident with themselves and not look at the scoreboard all of the time. It is, just realize that you have each other and you have this other family on the field. If they buy in and believe in all of that, I really think we can go places.”