Stow girls lacrosse prepares for postseason run

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by Steve Batko

Correspondent

Stow girls lacrosse coach Lindy Stoner was hopeful about her squad's chances in the upcoming Ohio Schoolgirl Lacrosse Association state tournament.

The Bulldogs, 6-5 overall, will play Cleveland Heights (7-6) May 12 in the district opener of the OSLA tourney. If Stow wins, it will play May 16 at third seeded Medina (9-1-1) in a regional semifinal.

Top seeded Chagrin Falls (15-2-1) was recently tied by Medina. Hudson was the second seed at 15-1 while Cleveland Heights was the fourth seed.

"I think the girls are playing well together now and we are certainly capable of winning in the tournament," said Stoner. "Medina is a very impressive team."

On May 5, the Bulldogs won 15-12 at Shaker Heights (4-6-1). Stow also won 17-6 over WRA (6-5) on April 29. Final results of May 8 and May 9 matches against Shaker Heights Laurel Academy (5-5) and Walsh Jesuit (1-11-1) weren't available as of press time.

"The schedule has been more difficult, but it's been tough all year," Stoner said. "The important thing is to figure which group of girls that will play well together. We've had some changes and the girls have responded."

Team captains are seniors Katie Swanger, Nicole Staycheff and Lauren Kincaid along with junior Shannon Rohrich. Swanger and Rohrich are the big scorers for the Lady Bulldogs.

Other seniors include defender Taryn Cook, midfielder Leanne Williams, attack Rachel Podnar, defender Kasey Grubbs, defender Amanda Varnam, and defender Liz Schilling.

Defender Grace Song and attack Kaiti McCleary also head the junior class. Other juniors are goalkeeper Carly Herman, midfielder Caroline Huth, attack Hannah Bonfiglio, defender Ann Miller, and midfielder Jess Welsh.

"Our defense is working hard to improve and our leaders have been Kincaid and Song, along with Herman," said Stoner. "Carly Herman has been doing an excellent job and is a converted field player."

Sophomores include goalkeeper Anna Bendgen, midfielder Emma Schilling, attack Ellie Swanger, midfielder Lizzie Song, midfielder Kendra Mosser, and midfielder Karlie Jones.

One of the highlights this spring was when Stow was 2-0 in the April 12 Hannigan-Galipault Tournament. The tourney, at Columbus Worthington, is named after John Galipault, who in 1974, started girls lacrosse in Ohio. He did so at Thomas Worthington High. In 1986, Chrissy Hannigan, a lacrosse player for Worthington High School, was killed in a four-wheel all terrain vehicle accident.

Stow had strong defense throughout. Fifteen teams battled the cold to go 2-0 on with a 7-5 win over Cincinnati St. Ursula (5-6) and win 8-6 over Cincinnati Indian Hills (4-8). The tourney is one of the finest around with a 46-team field featuring schools from Ohio, Pennsylvania and Kentucky.

Regional finals are scheduled for May 21 while the state semifinals are slated for May 30.

E-mail: stowsports@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3113