On a wonderfully warm and sunny Senior Night at Pony Lewis Field, the sixth-ranked Morgantown girls’ lacrosse team was looking to get back to .500 on the year as they hosted cross-county rival Preston. And from the opening whistle, the quick, deep Mohigans controlled the pace and possession against the shorthanded Knights, who had nary a substitute available on their sideline. As a result, MHS built a commanding 10-2 halftime lead on their way to a comfortable 17-5 victory.
Morgantown (6-6) took an early 2-0 lead seven minutes in when Makayla Chipps scored off a curling run from behind the right side of the net, followed by Zoe Mackey’s scoop shot after a run from the same area, but Preston (1-5) cut the lead in half a minute later when Hailey Rosenberger flashed in from the right sideline and beat MHS keeper Emme Hunt low stick side. However, for the remainder of the half – despite a fine performance from Knights goalie Kayleigh Thomas, who finished with 19 saves – it was all Mohigans, and in particular almost all the sniper supreme Mackey. After Qwinn Spong scored a minute later to make it 3-1, the speedy junior attack pumped in three straight goals to make it 6-1. Spong scored again, then it was Mackey, Addy Zizzi, Mackey, and, after Rosenberger buried a free shot with 19 seconds left, and with just a tenth of a second on the clock – you guessed it – it was Mackey one more time, her seventh score of the half.
On cruise control in the second half, the Mohigans substituted freely, maintained possession, and wore down the game but exhausted Knights, although Rosenberger continued her strong offensive performance with three more goals. Morgantown freshman Abby Petak netted her first varsity score, then sophomore Jillian Gage netted a pair to make it 14-5. Senior Alyssa Ulrich potted one with 8:23 left, and Chipps and finally Mackey scored one last goal to close out the big MHS win.
For the Knights, playing a full game with zero breaks can lead to a discouraged team, but PHS coach Clarissa Carrico saw no hanging heads, no frustrations, only battle.
“We continued to work hard and support each other,” she smiled. “We have a lot of first-year players as well, but the effort and improvement continue every game and every practice. I’m proud of them.”
MHS coach Meg Lieberman continues to be encouraged with her team’s cohesive play as the season winds toward the playoffs, and she credits a trio of outstanding senior leaders in Ulrich, Kara Crum, and injured Kieana Thomas.
“Every girl on this team just loves them,” she grinned, “and they’re such great examples for the younger girls to emulate. I’m so lucky to have started my first year with these awesome seniors – and we’ve got three more games plus playoffs to make their last season special.”
After COVID issues essentially kept her away from her teammates the past two years, Crum could only smile in gratefulness after the game.
“It’s been just so awesome to be back together,” she explained. “I love playing, and I love everyone associated with Mohigans lacrosse. I feel really lucky to be getting the chance to play my last year, and it’s been great.”
Ulrich, emotional after her last game on Pony Lewis, laughed through her tears when asked about her thoughts.
“It’s such a wonderful team, so positive and supportive and fun,” she said. “I can’t think of a better way to finish at home than the way we did it tonight. To walk off with a win will be a memory that will last a lifetime.”
The Knights travel to Musselman Friday, then host the Mohigans next Tuesday at 6:00 p.m.
By Mark Schraf
