Girls' Lacrosse Tournament Preview

by The Loudoun Extra

Thursday, May 8, 2008

No. 1 seed Broad Run (8-0) hosts No. 8 Freedom (1-7), 6 p.m.

BREAKING DOWN BROAD RUN

Broad Run came into the season with the goal of winning the district title, and after tinkering with the lineup following an early-season loss to Western Albermarle, the Spartans went undefeated in district play.

Players to Watch: Meredith Rogers, A - 50 goals, 8 assists, 54 ground balls; Kate Sistare, MF - 32 goals, 33 assists, 51 ground balls; Katie Mesmer, A - 22 goals, 49 assists, 27 ground balls

Keys to the Game: The Spartans will look to continue what they did through the regular season, using teamwork and strategic play (and hopefully avoiding injuries) to continue their district dominance.

Soundbite: "A very competitive non-district season playing teams like Bullis, Westfield, Mercersburg Academy, and Western Albemarle has prepared us for the post season," Coach Jen Melhuish said in an e-mail. "The key to success is smart team play."

BREAKING DOWN FREEDOM

Under a new coach, Freedom is building a new program and established a base from which to work from. The Eagles had just one win this season, but the process of shaping a program is under way.

No. 4 Dominion (5-3) hosts No. 5 George Mason (3-5), 6 p.m.

BREAKING DOWN DOMINION

The Titans took on a difficult early schedule, playing AAA schools like Lake Braddock, Yorktown, West Springfield. Dominion hopes that experience translates over to the postseason, as they lean on sophomore Alex Rizzo to lead them through the tourney.

Players to Watch: Alex Rizzo, Soph., Attack; Nicole Butte, Senior, MF; Megan Butte, Senior, Attack.

Keys to the Game: Dominion will look to slow down George Mason's transition game and must control the ball and keep turnovers down.

Soundbite: "No quit, no quit," said coach Don Gasser when asked to describe his team this season. "Last year we raised the bar because we were very successful this year this group of girls, we're rebuilding, but they like to take on the challenges. We could be Cinderella, we could be Cinderella."

BREAKING DOWN GEORGE MASON

George Mason played under a new coach this season and won a draw to break a tie for fifth place and take the five seed.

No. 3 Loudoun County (6-2) hosts No. 6 Heritage (3-5), 7 p.m.

Players to Watch: Gwen Edwards, Sophomore, MF; Sally Blakemore, Junior, Atack - 37 goals.

BREAKING DOWN LOUDOUN COUNTY

A controlled team, Loudoun County was under new coach Arissa Malik this season and was led by senior Maria Chopivsky.

Players to Watch: Maria Chopivsky, Sr., A.

BREAKING DOWN HERITAGE

Heritage had key wins against Fairfax, George Mason and Freedom to take the No. 6 seed

Players to Watch: Erika Grabbi - 27 goals, 2 assists, 24 ground balls, 38 draw controls; Kerrin O'Connor - 25 goals, 3 assists, 24 ground balls, 25 draw controls; Liz Macier - 26 goals, 4 assists, 9 ground balls, 3 draw controls.

Keys to the Game: The Pride has had an up and down season and so the key will be its confidence level.

Soundbite: "This season has had its ups and downs with key losses and wins," Coach Lauren Bevington said in an e-mail. "They have overcome many obstacles by coming together as a team and playing with heart and dedication towards the sport of lacrosse."

No. 2 Potomac Falls (7-1) hosts No. 7 Briar Woods (3-5), 7 p.m.

BREAKING DOWN: POTOMAC FALLS

A surprising team this season, the Panthers charged to a 7-1 district record behind first-year lacrosse player Katie Baumgardner, who signed to play soccer at Ohio State but has become a dangerous player for the Panthers.

Players to Watch: Katie Dacanay, Sr., M. Katie Baumgardner, Sr., A.

Keys to the Game: The Panthers will rely on their athletic attack, led by St. Francis-bound Dacanay and Baumgardner to keep teams off-balance.

Soundbite: "We tried to shadow her to stop her and she still burned us," said Dominion Coach Don Gasser of Baumgardner.

BREAKING DOWN: BRIAR WOODS

The Falcons lost a draw to break a three-way tie for fifth and dropped to the seventh seed.

Tagged: high school sports, lacrosse, sports, tournament

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