With an array of strong scorers like Sammie Magargee and Hanna Schuler back in the fold for Western Albemarle’s girls lacrosse team, the Warriors have options on offense that can fill it up.
Add another one to the list in sophomore Kara Repich.
Repich poured in five goals on just five shots Friday night as the Warriors beat Salem 13-6 in Western’s season opener.
“She’s really shown a lot of growth, poise and maturity on the field,” said Western coach Tara Hohenshelt. “We’re asking a lot of her, she’s in one of those roles where we might have her starting the offense, and she’s really learning how to grow into that position.”
Repich scored three of her five goals after the break as Western mashed the pedal down and turned a narrow 6-4 advantage into a comfortable victory.
“With the second half, we just talked about doing things better,” Hohenshelt said. “Picking up the ground balls cleaner, making better decisions on attack and really helping each other out on defense.”
Beyond Repich’s explosive performance, the Warriors were balanced offensively with Schuler scoring twice while Hannah Planz, Kate Snyder, Julia Haws, Bella Moriconi, Audrey Russell and Mady Starsia scoring a goal each.
“We always like to talk about going for the right opportunity, not the first opportunity,” Hohenshelt said. “We’re trying through our practices to train our attackers and middies to see if there’s a better opportunity.”
Moriconi also had four draw controls while Planz had three. Schuler forced five turnovers while Magargee forced four while Hannah Curry and Russell forced three each as part of a strong defensive effort by the Warriors.
Western has a scrimmage Tuesday before taking on Albemarle Friday at home in a key early season rivalry game.
