Reds Opening Day checklist: Absolutely everything to know before the first pitch ⚾✔️
HIGH SCHOOL-OHIO

Sycamore girls lacrosse storms toward state

Scott Springer
sspringer@communitypress.com

SYCAMORE TWP. – The good news is that Sycamore High School’s girls lacrosse team came into the Ohio Schoolgirls Lacrosse Association tournament ranked No. 1 in the state.

Given that and their unblemished record, the bad news may be that every team facing the Lady Aves has extra motivation.

The plan is to continue the path that led them to 15-0 prior to postseason play.

“I hope so,” coach Eddie Clark said. “We have all the talent to do it. We haven’t played a tough team in a while.”

Early in the season, Sycamore took on teams two through six as determined by www.laxpower.com. Of that group, Medina provided a close contest as the Lady Aves got by with a 6-5 victory April 12. Five days later, Sycamore defeated Mason 11-9.

The rest of the season has seen Clark’s crew pull away and win by big advantages.

“We played as tough a schedule as anyone in Ohio, but it’s been awhile since we played those teams,” Clark said.

Sycamore features eight seniors, including several who have the talent to play in college.

Cassy McDowell recently signed with Gardner-Webb, but others haven’t come to decisions yet. Ashley Bonnoitt looked at Harvard and Boston College and may play at Michigan. Another mid, Kara Marth was courted by Cincinnati, Ohio State and Notre Dame. Enrolled in the DAAP (architecture) program at UC, she’s not certain she can handle the class load with lacrosse.

Goalie Abby Wise is going to Dayton where they are starting a new program.

Overall, the senior group has been battle tested.

“Freshmen year, they lost in the district finals, sophomore year they won the district finals and lost in the final four, last year, they lost in the finals,” Clark said. “Every year they’ve gone a step further.”

Clark has two state titles from his 2007 and 2009 teams, but knows the difficulty of getting there.

“I think this team is more talented than those two,” Clark said. “Top to bottom, they’re a lot more talented. It’s all about attitude when you get to this time of the year.”

In between graduation, parties and proms the Lady Aves will strap on their goggles and try to stick their way to state again.

The road began with a 20-0 thrashing of Walnut Hills on the home turf May 16. That set up the Lady Aves with the Anderson/Springboro winner May 19.