Blazers trample over Knights

MAY 9, BLAZER STADIUM-

After last week's win over the Kennedy Cavaliers, the Blair girls' lacrosse team was raring to go tonight for their final regular season game against the Wheaton Knights. They were in good spirits and a giant sign reading "We Be Beatin' Wheaton" showed their confidence about finishing the season with a win.

gLAX Senior Night - Maddie

Photo: At the blow of the whistle, senior Maddie Drikill fights for the ball after junior Dana Ballard's second goal ties the score at 2-2 in the first quarter.

At the blow of the whistle, senior Maddie Drikill fights for the ball after junior Dana Ballard's second goal ties the score at 2-2 in the first quarter. Photo courtesy of Zoe Norvell.

Their confidence was shattered however, when the Knights came straight downfield after the initial draw and scored after less than two minutes of play. They followed up with a second goal shortly later, capitalizing on the surprise of the Blazer defenders. However, the team got back on its feet as junior Devon Madison took a pass and slammed the ball into the net from just outside the crease to put Blair on the board.

The Blazers maintained their momentum and kept up the pressure on the Knights for several minutes, until scoring two more goals in quick succession. Senior Kiran Belani took a pass across the front of the net from fellow senior Maddie Driskill and slung it in to tie the game. Then, junior Dana Ballard caught a long pass from junior defender Karla Berberich and ran in to take the lead with another goal.

The rally continued as junior Elena Talbott sped the ball up the entire field and past several defenders to score a solo goal to the cheers of the crowd. While Blair had the upper hand, both teams were playing sloppily, with plenty of dropped passes and awkward attempts to grab ground balls for everyone. The Knights slipped in a third goal near the end of the half after a long possession near the Blair goal, but Driskill swiftly returned in kind to keep a solid 5-3 lead going into halftime.

gLAX Senior Night - Seniors

Photo: The team's 6 seniors line up to be presented with flowers as appreciation from the team and a goodbye for their final season. The girls from left to right are Maddie Driskill, Gillian Couchman, Julie Spatz, Kiran Belani, Janice No and Diana Frey.

The team's 6 seniors line up to be presented with flowers as appreciation from the team and a goodbye for their final season. The girls from left to right are Maddie Driskill, Gillian Couchman, Julie Spatz, Kiran Belani, Janice No and Diana Frey.  Photo courtesy of Zoe Norvell.

Both teams picked up the intensity in the second half, with reinvigorated defense and goalkeeping on both sides. The game went back and forth for most of the half before a Knight offender rushed in close and slipped the ball past freshman goalie Katelyn Luker to bring the score to 5-4. The Blazers held solid for the rest of the half, and a second goal by Driskill sealed up the win for the team.

The team was jubilant over their second win of the season, following up the game with cake and presents for departing seniors Belani, Gillian Couchman, Driskill, Diana Frey, Janice No and Julie Spatz.

Coach Michael Horne was also pleased with the result, despite the generally uninspiring play. "This wasn't our finest hour, but we're excited to stay on the winning side," he said.