Blazers crush Northwest Jaguars

BLAZER STADIUM, MAY 2—

The girls' lacrosse team (3-7) faced the Northwest Jaguars today in an exciting game that finally ended the Blazers' seven-game losing streak.

The Blazers took an early lead in the game, with sophomore Susie Branson scoring off a penalty shot in the second minute of play. The Jaguars quickly responded and tied the game at 1-1, but a few minutes later the Blazers took off with goals from senior captains Devon Madison, who dodged through a series of defenders to score, and Dana Ballard, who rocketed the ball into the net from left-center. Yet another goal by senior Elena Talbott, scoring off a rebound from a shot by junior Helen Anderson, brought the score to 4-1 only seven minutes into the first half.

Blair's defense struggled with keeping the ball out of the center circle in front of the goal, and Northwest managed to score three more goals before the end of the first half. However, three more goals from Branson maintained Blair's lead, and the team ended the fist half up 7-4.

The second half began with a quick goal by Northwest. But junior Rachita Sood soon scored off a pass from Madison, followed shortly by another two goals from Madison, as she muscled in past Northwest's defenders to score, and then two minutes later scored again with a shot across the center of the goal.

The second half continued as a long back and forth, as the Blazers and the Jaguars traded off goals. But Blair maintained a steadily growing lead as a strong offense continued to pound the Jaguar defense with shot after shot, totaling 26 shots by Blair for the game. Goals scored by Ballard, Anderson, Madison and Ballard brought the final score to 15-7, giving Blair a decisive win and renewed hope as it aims to bring its record to 5-7 with the last two remaining regular season games against Kennedy and Wheaton.

The Blazers played exceptionally well in today's game, said coach Katherine Ingraham. "We had solid passing, and good flexible positioning," Ingraham said.

Branson, Madison and Ballard played exceptionally well and led a strong Blair offense. Blair's defense also excelled, with sophomore goalie Katelyn Luker making 13 saves.