Blazers storm through Kennedy

Blair Stadium, April 27-

After being tied 3-3 against the Kennedy Cavaliers midway through the first half, the Blair girls varsity lacrosse team stepped up their play and score nine unanswered goals to finish off the game and win 12-3.

With the win the Blazers ended their four game losing streak and improved their record to 3-5. After a couple demoralizing loses, beating Kennedy was essential to the team’s confidence and to give them momentum going into the end of their season.

The Blazers started off slow but after the first half the offense started rolling and the defense clamped down. Senior co-captain Lauren Finkel led the charge for the Blazers as she scored a season high seven goals, including five in the second half that put the game out of reach for Kennedy.

Senior co-captain Erica Nowak scored the first goal of the game, but Kennedy would answer with two straight goals and take a 2-1 lead. Consecutive goals by Finkel and junior Maddie Driskill put the Blazers back up by a goal. Kennedy would tie the game at three, but this would be that last goal Kennedy would score. Blair would score two more goals before the half would end and go into the break up 5-3.

The Blazers started the game playing slow and sloppy. They struggled with getting back on defense and were forcing their play. Their lackluster play allowed a weaker Kennedy squad to hang in the game.

In the second half the Blazers asserted themselves and took control of the game. Their play in the midfield improved as they were playing aggressive defense and winning groundballs. The midfield limited Kennedy’s possession while the defense played strong, including several saves by senior goalkeeper Betsy Costillo. Driskill was a leader in the midfield as she made ferocious checks creating turnovers and running the transition. Finkel and Driskill were both key in the midfield both offensively and defensively as the two did well with doubling and pressuring the Kennedy players.

The Blazers got goals from five different players and got outstanding play from their senior leaders. Finkel the team’s leading scorer, with over 24 goals on the season, was not the only bright spot on offense as Nowak contributed two goals and two assists. Driskill had one goal along wit two assists, while junior Kiran Belani and sophomore Dana Ballard added a goal each.

The Blazers will look to continue their winning ways at Gaithersburg on Friday, April 29 at 7:00 p.m.