Monclair's junior Lehigh commit Nora Giordano (left) can penetrate most defenses when the opportunity is there. The Mounties' star midfielder, who recently reached the 100-goal career plateau, is Sideline Chatter/360 Fitness Athlete of the Week. (Photo by James Lattanzio/Sportzdrop) 

Montclair's Nora Giordano commemorates her 100th career goal after recent game vs. Morristown while joined by her family, from left, sister Lizzie, mom Melissa, Dad Don and sister Katie. (Photo by Ann Jennings) 

Giordano Reaches A Milestone
In Leading Montclair Laxladies
…Mounties’ Lehigh Commit Is SC/360 Athlete of the Week

By Steve Tober
For sidelinechatter.com 

MONTCLAIR- Nora Giordano calls herself a bit of a late bloomer, perhaps not hitting her full stride as a lacrosse player until the seventh or eighth grade, while some girls might emerge as 9 or 10 year olds. 

Well, regardless of the timeline, the current Montclair High junior has certainly risen on the North Jersey lax scene the past two seasons as a full—time starter for the Mounties, and with her recent 3-goal output in a 12-6 loss vs. Morristown the junior Lehigh University commit has already reached the 100-goal mark for her still evolving MHS varsity career. 

Entering Monday’s (April 24th) Essex County Tournament quarterfinal vs. Livingston, the standout MHS midfielder had a team-leading 26 goals to go along with five assists and 26 ground balls for the 5-3 Mountie laxladies. 

After seeing time as a key reserve as a freshman for the 2015 MHS squad that capture the ECT title, she exploded on the scene last spring as a top all-around performer and potent scorer. 

She received strong interest from Lehigh and had interest in both Colgate and Yale, where her dad Don once played, but it was the Mountain Hawks who established the closest connection with the Mounties’ prize junior. 

“I’m a late bloomer and while some girls may have been good enough to receive early major Division I interest as an early recruit, I took a little longer to reach the level I feel I can play at now,” said the cerebral Giordano, who is leaning toward majoring in Business at Lehigh. “Lehigh came out to see me play for my club team (Step Elite) and I got along right away with their assistant coach, Sammy Sermack of Ridgewood, and everything clicked with the rest of the coaching staff and the girls on the team there were so welcoming when I went for my visit. 

“I like the culture at Lehigh, the strong academics and beautiful campus and it just felt like the best choice for me.” 

As far as reaching 100 goals with still a season-plus to go was simply something Giordano wanted to get out of the way once she realized it was right there to accomplish. 

“I really hadn’t thought about it, but then when we played Morristown and realized I was at 97 goals, I thought, ‘wow,’ I can do that in this game and I’d like to just get it over with if the shots were there to do it. 

“My teammates and coaches have been so supportive and they put me in a position for good shots. After getting the first two and then finding myself in a free position at the center hash I just wanted to fire it home.” 

Giordano’s coach, Ann Jennings, described how it all transpired. 

“ Nannette Walls-Tarver got the draw off the circle, brought it down on offense and we worked the ball around and then Jillian Jennings and Nora worked together,” the veteran head mentor explained. “Nora set the pick for Jillian, then Nora rolled off the pick in front of her defender and Jillian passed the ball to Nora. 

“Nora then got fouled (checked in the head) and was granted a free position shot and she put it in upper right corner.”  

The only negative on the afternoon was the fact the Mounties lost to the Colonials; however the great accomplishment by Giordano stands on its own as a testament to a superb scholastic career that still has many more games to go. 

“ Even though we lost it was a great milestone for Nora to hit,” continued Jennings. “Nora is a great player and she has been on the varsity since she was a freshman. She is a fierce competitor and one of the most coachable players I have ever had. 

“She has great stick skills, good vision, is quick on her feet and is a team player with a great work ethic.”  

The Mounties entered this week with high hopes of winning an ECT crown this spring although it could mean having to get past both perennial title contender and third-seeded West Essex in the semis (if the Lady Knights defeat Montclair Kimberley Academy on Tuesday, April 25) and then –most likely – top-seeded and defending champion Glen Ridge in the final. 

“We beat West Essex the first time we played them (16-13) and they came out hungry against us in the second half,” said Giordano. “No way can we underestimate them if we do see them in the semis. 

“Glen Ridge is a terrific team, but we’re also used to playing a very strong schedule and we’ll look forward to the challenge and hope we can play our best game if we get to that point. 

“But, you can’t take anything for granted and we’ll just concentrate on the next opponent and see how it goes, but we like our team.” 

Boosting the 2017 Mountie laxladies in addition to Giordano are Jennings, the Boston College-bound soccer standout and lacrosse standout midfielder (19 goals, 10 assists and 29 ground balls in first eight games this spring) along with the other senior tri-captains, midfielder Natalie Rechan and defender Samantha Wittman, junior Olivia Rivera (16 goals) and steady senior defender Missy Wrede (16 ground balls). 

“We have a great group of girls on this team and it’s enjoyable to be around them every day,” said Giordano, who is also a key starter on the Mounties’ girls soccer side in the fall. “We moved up a division this season and play a great schedule with teams like Ridgewood and others, but we come to play every day and our coaches have us well prepared to face the challenges in front of us.” 

Lacrosse is a big sport in the Giordano family. In addition to Dad Don, Nora’s sisters, eighth-grader Katie and fifth-grader Lizzie, are young laxladies on the rise in the Montclair junior lacrosse system. 

“Katie is part of a very good eighth-grade class which could really help us next year,” said Nora. “Lacrosse is important in our family and everyone, including my mom (Melissa) really enjoy watching all the games.” 

And, as another high school season moves briskly along and before heading back to the busy club lax scene, the Mounties’ Giordano greatly values her MHS head coach who directs the proceedings for the locals. 

“Coach Jennings is a great coach,” said the Mounties’ standout junior. “She knows the sport like the back of her hand and creates a positive environment for her players with great team bonding and everyone is close on this team. 

“She really knows how to pick us up when we struggle or hit a tough situation and you need that with the strong schedule we’re facing. 

“Montclair lacrosse has been a great experience and I’m glad that I’ll be around another season after this to keep trying to help this program do well.” 

The Sideline Chatter/360 Fitness Athlete of the Week receives a complimentary speed and agility session at 360's state-of-the-art training facilities located at 25 Greenbrook Road in Fairfield. For further information on all the various programs at 360 or to join as a new member, call 1-877-787-0360.

Follow Steve Tober on Twitter @Chattermeister 

Nora Giordano (14) is top player to watch in Essex County girls lacrosse as she continues to propel a solid Montclair squad. (Photo by Scott Kennedy) 

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