It’s tough to win in girls lacrosse when you don’t have an advantage on draw controls, particularly when the other holds a nearly 2 to 1 advantage on the draw.
But Monticello proved Tuesday night that if you pick up a ton of ground balls, you can get the job done, edging Charlottesville 12-11 despite the Black Knights holding a 16-9 advantage on the draw.
“It was a wonder we were still in the game after that first half,” said Monticello coach Karen Redd. “These injuries (including Ari Slate and Caroline McDonald) are still hurting us. I’ll give it to Charlottesville though, they brought it.”
The Mustangs held a 30-14 ground ball advantage with Georgia Proutt’s seven pickups and Jessica Worsham’s five leading the way. Those groundballs created second chance points and the Mustangs took advantage, with Schuyler Thornton notching four goals and three other players — Sydney Larese, Ari Slate and Alex Johnson — finishing with two goals and an assist each.
The game was dead even at the half at 6-6, because Charlottesville’s Jayme Kusyk kept taking the attack to the Mustangs with a six goal, six draw control night. Kendall Ballard and Ellie Barber finished with two goals each while Barber also dished out an assist. The Black Knights outshot Monticello 24-21, but Monticello keeper Anna Brown was solid and finished with 10 saves on the night.
Charlottesville’s squad will travel to Fluvanna Thursday while the Mustangs host Western Albemarle Saturday.
