HIGH SCHOOL-OHIO

Sycamore Lady Aves lacrosse reigns at state

Scott Springer
sspringer@communitypress.com

SYCAMORE TWP. – It was hard for the Sycamore High School girls lacrosse team to sneak into Thomas Worthington for the Division I state semifinals.

Though not arrogant, the Lady Aves came to the Columbus area with a reputation, an 18-0 record and the No. 1 ranking in by www.laxpower.com.

They follow the West African proverb of “speak softly and carry a big stick”, but actions speak louder than words.

Outside of close games with Medina and Mason in mid-April, Sycamore ran through their pre-semifinal schedule like scorched earth. From May 6-19 the Lady Aves scored 20 or more goals four times in a row, beating Springboro, Anderson twice and Walnut Hills by a combined score of 84-10.

Part of their dominance came from sincere determination by the senior class to gain what eluded them the three previous years.

“Freshman year we lost in the district finals, sophomore year we lost in the semifinals and junior year we lost in the finals,”defender Kara Marth said.

On May 30, Sycamore took on 18-1 Olentangy. Coach Eddie Clark’s Lady Aves got four goals each from Brittany Murphy and Liz Macvittie to pull away and win 14-8. That set up a rematch with Medina, Sycamore’s toughest opponent all season.

This time, it wasn’t even close.

The Lady Aves raced out to an 11-3 halftime lead and won 14-6 to finish off a perfect 20-0 season with their third Ohio Division I title.

“We played our best game of the year,” Clark said. “Abby Wise in goal was phenomenal, Evie Goodyear dominated the draw circle and Brittany Murphy just dominated offensively. They tried to shut out Kara Marth and Ashley Bonnoitt, but they didn’t have an answer for Brittany.”

Helping Clark guide the Lady Aves to perfection were assistants Allison Bell and Meredith Post. Allison Bell was a captain on Sycamore’s first title team in 2007 and Post played in 2005 when they first made the state semifinals.

“This is by far the most talented team,” Clark said. “We have so many weapons. We have so many people that can step up. We have eight or nine girls that have 20 goals or more. We have a defense that won’t stop. Our biggest competition is in practice every day.”

An early season trip to Maryland helped the team build relationships that Sycamore’s captains credit for their spring success.

“This team is so close,” Marth said. “That’s what we’ll all remember most, the bond between the team.”

Added goaltender Abby Wise, “From top to bottom, the seniors are best friends with the freshman.”

Playing their final games for Sycamore over the weekend were Abby Wise, Cassy McDowell, Madeline Baker, Sara Constand, Elise Reardon, Kara Marth, Brooke Goodwin, Liz Macvittie and Ashley Bonnoitt.

A 20-0 record won’t be easy to repeat.

“We graduate eight seniors so it’s going to be tough,” Clark said. “We do return a lot of really good players, too.”