In the last few years, when Western Albemarle and Monticello’s girls lacrosse squads lock up, there are usually fireworks. The two squads’ first meeting of the year Wednesday night didn’t disappoint with an explosive night from Hanna Schuler powering Western to a win.
Western jumped out to a quick lead against Monticello, but the Mustangs didn’t roll over easily, fighting back to push the Warriors to the brink in the second half before Western pulled away for the 19-13 victory.
The Warriors led 4-1 out of the gate and built a 13-5 lead by halftime. Monticello came roaring out of the locker room though, and with just 15:15 to play, cut Western’s lead to 13-10 with a five-goal run. That was as close as the Mustangs got though as in the next two minutes, Western scored back-to-back goals to extend its lead to 15-10 and kept Monticello at arm’s length from there.
Schuler poured in nine goals, had an assist and grabbed 10 draw controls to lead the Warriors. Joie Funk had four goals and an assist while Mady Starsia dished out three assists and Kira Repich scored twice and had an assist. Izzy Shaffrey helped out on draw controls with three of them and also scored once. Bella Moriconi, Anne Patterson and Marlena Flynn each had a goal. Anna Kreienbaum had an assist.
Defensively, Audrey Russell led the way with four forced turnovers while Catherine Adams stepped up with six saves for the Warriors.
Paige McGlothlin filled up the stat sheet for Monticello, scoring three goals, registering two assists while also snagging five draw controls. Meghan Walin scored four goals and Ari Archer had a hat trick. Caleigh Smith had two goals and an assist and Josie Mallory had a goal. Carly Harris made seven saves.
Western evened its record at 2-2, Monticello falls to 2-1. The Warriors host St. Anne’s-Belfield Friday at 5 p.m. while Monticello gets a nearly two weeks break before taking on Covenant April 11.
