(CHAMBERSBURG, Pa.) – Senior Day was a success for the Wilson women's lacrosse team as it defeated Notre Dame in the regular season finale on Saturday. As a result, the Phoenix will host a CSAC Tournament semifinal game for the second time ever and the first time on campus.
Before the game, a short ceremony was held to honor the four Phoenix seniors
Odessa Kalathas (Chambersburg, Pa. / Chambersburg), Kelly Lepouski (Millville, N.J. / Millville), Megan Simms (Frederick, Md. / Governor Thomas Johnson), and
Paige Reynolds (Keedysville, Md. / Boonsboro).
The Basics
Score: Wilson 20, Notre Dame 4
Venue: Kris's Meadow
Records: Wilson 11-4, 4-1 CSAC; Notre Dame 3-10, 2-3 CSAC
How It Happened
- The Blue and White jumped out to a fast start as Jill Ahlgren (Jr., Mercersburg, Pa. / Mercersburg) won the opening draw and Wilson set up its offense. After a couple of fouls on the Gators, Reynolds connected with Ahlgren for the first goal just 73 seconds into the game. Ahlgren won the ensuing draw once again and Wilson was able to take advantage of a free position attempt with Anna Gibson (Jr., Cecil County, Md. / Perryville) doing the honors for a 2-0 lead.
- The Gators fought back and scored their first goal of the game as Jade Stewart scored on a dish from Sarah Generoso. It was the closest they would get to the Phoenix as Gibson came right back and scored her second of the game for another two-goal advantage. Sage Lague (So., Fairplay, Md. / Goretti) and Ahlgren both scored in the final 2:01 of the quarter for a 5-1 lead after one.
- Notre Dame scored its second at the start of the second quarter, but it would also be the Gators' last of the half. Ahlgren started to take control from there on out as she scored the next two goals for a 7-2 lead. She added two more later in the quarter while Reynolds and Lague also scored to give the Phoenix an 11-2 lead at the break.
- Reynolds took a feed from Ahlgren for the first goal of the second half to give Wilson a 12-2 lead just 55 seconds into the third. Notre Dame was able to cut the deficit back down to single digits on a free position goal from Sarah Generoso, but Lague was able to extend the lead back to 10 less than a minute later. Lepouski then scored her third goal of the season on a free position attempt before the Stewart scored the Gators' final goal of the game with 3:23 to go in the third. Emily Young (So., Fairfax, Va. / Chantilly) then found the back of the net to close the scoring in the third.
- The fourth completely belonged to the Blue and White. Lague scored a pair of goals sandwiched around one from Reynolds to give Wilson an 18-4 lead in the first five minutes. Jordan Hastie (So., Frederick, Md. / Governor Thomas Johnson) and Gibson followed with goals to close the scoring.
Inside The Numbers
- Ahlgren led all players with eight points. Six of them were from goals, all of which were scored in the first half. She also led all players with four caused turnovers, five ground balls, and eight draw controls.
- Gibson was just a point behind Ahlgren with a hat trick and four assists. She too was strong defensively with two caused turnovers and three ground balls.
- Lepouski put up strong numbers on her Senior Day. She finished with two caused turnovers and picked up a season-high four ground balls.
- Lague matched her season-high with five goals.
- Reynolds finished the day with five points on a hat trick and two assists.
- Krystal Kienast (Jr., Purcellville, Va. / Loudon Valley) started the game in goal and picked up the win between the pipes with three saves. Morgan Melucci (Fy., Hanover, Pa. / South Western) relieved her in the second half and made four more stops.
Up Next
The Phoenix have earned the No. 2 seed in next week's CSAC Tournament and will host third-seeded Keystone on Wednesday at a time to be determined. The two teams met this past Wednesday with Wilson taking a 15-4 decision in La Plume.
