Wolverines get burned

The varsity girls' lacrosse team battled the Watkins Mill Wolverines at home on Thursday and despite difficulty connecting on offense, capitalized on opportunities early in the match to win 13-6. Once again, senior co-captain Helen Anderson led the team, scoring five of Blair's 13 goals.

Early in the game, the Blazers were eager to strike toward the net, although were not able to score until the 12th minute. In the 17th minute, the Blazers were overcome by a Watkins Mill attacker, who forced her way toward the net and scored on junior goalie Katelyn Luker on a ground ball.

The Lady Blazers were able to rebound quickly, as senior Julia Mazerov scored on a Watkins Mill penalty. Soon after, Blair appeared to develop a rhythm as Anderson scored on a low and hard shot, making the score 2-1.

Advancing on their lead, Anderson and junior Vanessa Hoy tallied four more goals, making the score 6-1, a definitive Blazer lead. In a spectacular display of skills, junior Susie Branson avoided defenders in a spin move, giving her a clear path to the goal to score on a low shot. At the end of the first half, Blair was ahead 7-2.

Anderson too displayed versatile skill in the offensive zone. In one instance in the second half, Anderson eluded defenders and scored from a fadaway shot, resulting in Anderson on the ground, but the ball in the goal.

Watkins Mill constantly tested Blair's defense, putting tremendous pressure on Luker throughout the game. Many of the Wolverines goals came on behind-the-net set up plays and hard shots in front of the net. "We definitely have a lot to work on, defensively," said senior co-captain and defender Lizzie Horne. "If we want to pull out a win against Gaithersburg, we'll have to take care of those things now."

Although Watkins Mill only scored six goals to the Blazers' 13, Blair still saw the game as a poor effort. In addition to disappointments voiced by Lizzie Horne, Anderson also saw problematic issues arise. "This definitely was not one of our best games. Sometimes we come out and perform, other days we don't. This was one of those days," Anderson said.

Head coach Michael Horne agreed. "We've played better, in fact - we were not able to play a 50 minute game," he said. "I know what the players are capable of and I expect them to live up to it."

As for their next game against highly ranked Gaithersburg, both players and coach alike see the opportunity to progress on their record. "We're going to keep the hard work, blue collar ethic...it's nice to be 6-2, but no one is going to give us anything," Michael Horne said.

The Blazers' next home game is Thursday, April 24 against Gaithersburg at 7 p.m.