Shore sisters head to NCAA Tournament with Rutgers women's lacrosse

PISCATAWAY -- As they headed off to play in the NCAA Tournament, it isn't the destination, it's the journey for Ava and Bianca Chiarella, sisters out of Manasquan High School who have been key players for the Rutgers women's lacrosse team.

The team received a farewell sendoff at the Gary and Barbara Rodkin Academic Success Center on Wednesday before departing for College Park, Maryland for a first-round game against Princeton. The game will be aired on ESPN+ at 2 p.m. Friday, May 8.

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The Scarlet Knights (10-8), who received an at-large bid, lost in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament, and also suffered a setback to Princeton when the teams played earlier this season.

Still, the Chiarella sisters and teammates expressed confidence about the rematch against the Tigers (11-6).

Rutgers' Ava Chiarella

"Honestly, there was never a doubt in my mind (about being selected for the tournament)," said Bianca, a defensive midfielder. "From the beginning of the season I knew that we were going to have a record and a season that was going to bring us here and now that we're actually here I'm just really excited to win and keep going as far as we can."

"I think this is my fourth year here, my first time making it to the tournament so obviously it's been a goal of mine since freshman year, getting it my senior year with my grade and this team is an amazing feeling," said Ava, who plays midfield.

Senior captain Ava Chiarella to help from sidelines

Their parents Saverio and Sarah will be in attendance for the game. Ava is out for the season with an injury and is scheduled for surgery on Monday. By the time Ava recovers - which she says will take nine months - she plans to play one more season with Rutgers thanks to eligibility from a freshman year redshirt.

Through the 15 games this season she started and played in, Ava scored nine goals and four assists. Despite missing the tail end of the season, the senior captain still found a way to help her team.

"Right now my role is a little different and not what I anticipated and I think the beginning of the season was awesome and this was an amazing team," Ava said. "I'm so grateful I got a majority of the season to play on the field with them and I think just adjusting my role and understanding that now as a leader and a senior that just leading the team by example, keeping the energy high, instilling confidence in the underclassmen and the rest of my teammates."