The Mainland Regional High School girls lacrosse team had perhaps its finest season in program history in 2013, going 16-3 and winning a first-round state playoff game. Taylor Klever, an 18-year-old Northfield resident, was one of six seniors – along with Caity McDonnell, Brianna Gerstel, Anna Gordon, Erin O’Connell and Miranda Lamey – who were a big reason behind the Mustangs’ success. Glory Days Magazine publisher Dave O’Sullivan caught up with Klever following the Mustangs’ dominating 21-10 victory over Millville in Mainland’s season finale on Thursday.
Sully: What’s going through your mind now that you just came off the field after your final high school game?
Klever: It’s actually kind of sad. But it would be more sad if I wasn’t playing in college. I’m excited about college.
Sully: Where are you going to college?
Klever: Neumann University (in Aston, Pa.). I’m really excited, I love my coach already and I love the team already. But it’s going to be so weird not playing for (Mainland coach Bernadette) Daley. I love Daley, she’s my favorite coach ever. We have probably the best senior – and everyone – group.
Sully: What was this game like for you? A different kind of feeling than any other game?
Klever: It was our last game, so it was emotional. Millville has always been a big threat. This is the first year we’ve beaten them in a while. It’s a big win. It’s exciting.
Sully: What’s been the highlight of your high school career?
Klever: Beating Ocean City this year (an 8-7 win earlier this season). Definitely. Beating Ocean City was awesome.
Sully: What can you say about this group of seniors? It seems like a really tight-knit group.
Klever: We’re really close. We’ve been together since freshman year and we just click with everything. We know how everyone shoots and how fast everyone is. We just play great together.
Sully: What are you looking forward to most this summer?
Klever: Playing more lacrosse, and just being with my friends.
Sully: What do you think it will be like on your last day of high school when that final bell rings?
Klever: I’m actually very sad about graduating. People are excited to leave. I’m excited to leave, but I don’t want to leave my friends. I love high school, but I’m excited for college too.
Sully: What’s been the best thing about being on this team?
Klever: We’re like family. We are so close on and off the field. We just have so much fun. Some practices in other sports people dread going to, but I love coming to practice here because it’s so much fun.
Sully: What’s something people don’t realize about girls lacrosse?
Klever: People think you can’t touch anyone and you can’t get hit, but you actually get hit a lot! I got hit probably 10 times today. It’s very physical, and people don’t really know that.
Sully: Do you have any superstitions?

Klever, a senior, was a key player this season, helping the Mustangs go 16-3 and earn a berth in the state playoffs.
Klever: I have been wearing the same headband, and hair tie, and spandex since the first day. I wash them, of course!
Sully: Is there any particular type of music you are into?
Klever: We listen to Hannah Montana on the bus (to away games), and old Disney songs like The Lion King. That’s just our fun thing we do.
Sully: If you could go on a dream vacation, where would you go and why?
Klever: Fiji, definitely. Because they have underwater hotels. And I’m obsessed with fish.
Sully: What do you think you’ll think about 10 years from now when you reflect on your high school career?
Klever: I’ll never forget this senior year. Beating Ocean City was the highlight. It was awesome. I’ll never get over that feeling.
Sully: What’s your life dream?
Klever: I want to be an orthodontist.
Sully: Sum up what it’s been like going to Mainland Regional High School.
Klever: I love Mainland. It’s pretty much awesome, that’s a great word. It’s perfect.