Blair girls' lacrosse dominates Magruder

Blair timeout

Photo: The Blazer girls regroup during a timeout in their 17-7 win vs. Magruder.

The Blazer girls regroup during a timeout in their 17-7 win vs. Magruder. Photo courtesy of Trini Széll.

On April 17, the Blair Blazers (3-2) beat the Magruder Colonels (3-3) in an intense game with a final score of 17-7. Blair dominated on both ends of the field, repeatedly taking advantage of offensive opportunities while also ensuring their defense held strong. 

Magruder opened the game's scoring in the first half, Blair quickly bounced back, gaining possession of the ball and retaliating with a quick goal of their own. Blair’s defense continually asserted themselves and prevented the Colonels from scoring again through the majority of the half. 

The Blazers and Colonels spent the first few minutes of the second half exchanging possession before Blair finally broke through and pushed themselves into the lead, 2-1. With regained energy, a minute later senior Maddy Baumann followed up with another shot into the net.

Despite occasional blunders from the Blair offense, overall the team worked together to mount successful attacks over and over again. The Blazer defense accounted for any mistakes on the offensive side of the field, guarding the goal with a fierce intensity. 

After two back to back goals from senior midfielder Megan Gunnulfsen and one goal from senior Grayson Davis, it was becoming clear that the Blazers were staking their claim on the scoreboard. The score stayed at 6-1, and the Colonel’s were getting restful. After another Blazer goal from Gunnulfsen, a timeout was called, and the players huddled in their respective teams on opposite ends of the field. 

The timeout ended and Magruder entered the field with a spring in their step. They won the faceoff and pushed the ball up the field, mounting an offensive that sophomore goalie Francesca Bolen ultimately deflected. The Colonels began pressuring the Blazers more and eventually, after back to back missed shots, broke through and got it in the net, settling the score to 8-2. 

Faceoff

Photo: The Blazers had no mercy on offense and held strong on defense, winning 17-7

The Blazers had no mercy on offense and held strong on defense, winning 17-7 Photo courtesy of Trini Széll.

The Blazers knew that they couldn’t slack off, and senior defender Ella Wenger scored another goal. With less than a minute remaining in the half, Magruder mounted one final offensive attack, ending the quarter 9-3. 

While the Blazers had a comfortable lead, they couldn’t get cocky. Entering the second half, Blair scored four more goals while also fending off attacks from Magruder before the Colonels were able to successfully score a goal of their own. But the Blazers had no mercy, retaliating with even more strength, pushing up the score two additional points. The possibility of a miraculous comeback by the Colonels became less and less likely as the clock ticked down to zero. Magruder mounted one last offensive attempt with a minute left in the final half, and the game ended, 17-7.

Senior midfielder Megan Gunnulfsen credits Blair’s defense for the win. “I think our defense played really well, I think… we could clean up [our attack] a little but I think we played well.” Gunnulfsen’s performance shined especially in this game, scoring five goals with three assists. 

Looking into the rest of the season, senior defender Ella Wenger hopes the team plays their best every game. “I think sometimes we have games that we play down a little bit. I think we have to have the right heart, the right energy, I know we have the potential, we just need to find it and work our hardest every single game.” Overall, she thinks that the team is bringing their all during each of their games. “I think we have the potential to win the rest of the games this season,” she says. 

The Blazers will face Wheaton at home this Thursday, April 20 at home. Tickets can be found here.