The Big 100: Darby Nolan Scores Triple Figures for Girls' Lax

The sport of girls’ lacrosse has become more popular in New Jersey over the past several years. But with three sisters playing in the Nolan household in Oak Ridge, it’s been wildly popular for a while.

Darby Nolan, who just completed her junior year at , also just completed her third season of lacrosse. She also hit the milestone of scoring her 100^th goal for the Lady Falcons this season.

The moment came in a game late in the season against Boonton.

“We only had two games left to play in the season,” Nolan recalled. “I needed five goals, but with so few games left, Coach (Alex Montanez) told me to go for it, so I did.

“It was pretty exciting,” she continued. “They stopped the game, and I got to take the ball home. It was pretty great.”

Nolan, who plays middie for the school team, didn’t start playing lacrosse until she was in seventh grade.

“I’d never played a sport before, but my sister played lacrosse and she got me to play. I really liked it. I didn’t find it difficult at all,” she said.

And now Nolan is looking forward to her senior season, where she will be joined by her sister Kendra, who will be a freshman in the fall.

“Darby is a strong player who is willing to play attack or defense, depending on the situation,” said coach Alex Montanez. “I’m happy she will be joining the team again this year, and look forward to her being a strong leader and player.”

and for playing for Manhattan College a year later. She made a verbal commitment to the school, and will sign a letter of intent in November.

“I looked at a couple of schools, but when I got to Manhattan, I really liked the campus. And the team is so nice. I also know the coach, because she coached in a league that I played in,” Nolan said.