By John Shifflett/Scrimmageplaycva.com contributor
ALEXANDRIA – Who said repeating was difficult?
The St. Anne’s-Belfield girls’ lacrosse team made it look easy on Sunday afternoon, defeating Highland 20-5 in the VISAA Division 2 state championship game at Episcopal High School for the school’s second consecutive state title.
The victory wrapped up a dominant postseason for the Saints (17-4), who outscored their three state tournament opponents by a combined total of 55-12.
“We strive for domination,” said Addi Bolin, who led STAB with five goals and one assist. “We really like (crushing) people. It feels good to end on a high note.”
The Saints ended on a high note thanks to crisp passing and impeccable teamwork. STAB picked apart the Highland defense with quick passes from the wings to the front of the crease, which set up countless point-blank shots and multiple goals. The Saints spread the scoring wealth, with six different players scoring multiple goals, including four with a hat trick or better.
“Everyone can pass and everyone can score,” STAB coach Mary Blake said. “We are very balanced.”
Highland was able to keep things close early on, but the Saints took control midway through the first half with four unanswered goals to take a 7-2 lead with 7:55 to go until intermission. After a Highland tally at the 6:37 mark, STAB scored four more unanswered goals, including three by Kate McCullough, to take a commanding 11-3 lead at halftime.
STAB removed all doubt with four goals in the opening three minutes of the second half to push the lead to 15-3. The Saints cruised from there.
Along with Bolin, McCullough (4 goals, 2 assists), Chelsea Russel (3 goals, 1 assist), Chelsea Staunton (3 goals), Corrina Coffin (2 goals), Marty Fox (2 goals, 3 assists) and Lyla Sutterfield (1 goal) got on the board for the Saints.
Having so many contributors in the title game was just icing on the cake for the Saints.
“That’s what we do: Win as a team,” Blake said. “When you win as a team, it makes it that much sweeter.”
