Lady Blazers show Gladiators no mercy on senior night

BLAZER STADIUM, MAY 5 -

The varsity girls' lacrosse team dominated the Northwood Gladiators with all active senior players putting in a goal. The seniors - Helen Anderson, Lizzie Horne, Rachita Sood, Priyanka Gokhale and Julia Mazerov - were all celebrated before the start of the last regular season game. Mazerov was unable to play due to an ankle injury.

The game started off quickly as Sood won the face-off and took control. Sood briskly passed to Anderson, who scored on a drive to the net. Soon after, junior Susie Branson scored three straight goals only three minutes into the first quarter, giving the Blazers and early 4-0 lead.

Blair radiated a momentum that continued throughout the night. By the end of the first half, the score was 13-0 with no sign of the Blazers letting up. With ten minutes left in the first half, Anderson, a key scorer with nearly 40 goals for the regular season, scored on a nimble spin move and proceeding bounce shot to further secure the lead. Sophomore Nellie Garlow was also able to weave through defenders on an open break to score on a bounce shot in front of Northwood's goaltender.

In the second half, the Blazers exhibited their strong passing skills. Incorporating several substitutes into the play, three more players contributed assists – junior Julie Ufford, Garlow and freshman Lyla Shapiro bolstered the lineup.

Only once was Northwood able to penetrate the strong Blazer defense. With eight minutes remaining in the second half, a Gladiator received a pass in front of sophomore goalie Annie Buckley and scored on a precision shot.

With only six minutes left in the game, senior captain Lizzie Horne scored on a demonstration of skill and control, cradling the ball well and bringing the final score to 21-1. "We really honed in on our skills…and showed we deserve to be 9-3," Horne said. "We played great together all season."

After such an explosive match, the lady Blazers hope to transfer their momentum and potential into the playoffs in the 4A⁄3A West Region. Head coach Michael Horne aptly wrapped up the positive end to the regular season and a productive senior night. "I'm proud of them; they're good players, good leaders and great people," said Horne. "We're going to try and work on the same things we did this game, and just take more steps forward."

The Blazers open up the playoffs Saturday, May 10 against BCC at 11:00 a.m. at Blair.