Girls lacrosse: Erickson, Glenbard West nip Palatine
Midfielders play a key role in a lacrosse team's success.
Saturday afternoon at Palatine, Glenbard West's Tessa Erickson provided the lift the Hilltoppers' girls team needed.
Erickson, a senior, scored 4 goals and played strong defense near the goal for the Hilltoppers in a 10-9 nonconference win.
The win snapped a six-game losing streak to give Glenbard West a 3-6 record while an improving Palatine team dropped to 3-6.
"We were pushing 100-percent plus," said Erickson. "We did it as a whole team. We have been playing some really tough completion in our league. During some of those games that we lost we didn't play as hard as we should have. We fixed that in practice and we won today. The team emphasized that we had to have fun and play for each other.
"As a midfielder I like getting the ball away from the defense and rushing the ball upfield to get the ball to the attackers."
Erickson helped the Hilltoppers get off to a fast start, scoring with just 17 seconds into the game.
Jasmine Lee tied the score for the Pirates two minutes later.
Sydney Potter (2 goals) and Allison Bertola (2 goals) gave Glenbard West a 4-1 lead before Carlyn Bratt answered for Palatine.
Erickson scored with 10:04 left in the first half for a 5-2 lead but Palatine pitched a shutout the rest of the half and the through the first 9:09 of the second half. The Pirates were able to get goals from Julie Garcia and 2 from freshman Jane Spencer during that span to tie the game at 5-5.
Palatine seemed to have the momentum when Bratt scored her second goal with 13:47 left and a 6-5 lead.
Potter, Bertola, and Allsion Updegrove all scored for the Hilltoppers to reclaim an 8-6 lead.
Spencer, who would score 5 goals, made the score 8-7 with 6:40 left.
Lucy Farnum and Erickson scored goals for Glenbard West within a minute to build a 10-7 lead.
Spencer closed the scoring with goals at 1:57 and 1:26 for Palatine.
Palatine had the ball at midfield when time ran out.
Both goalies came up with big efforts. Glenbard West's Maddie Greenleaf stopped 6 shots and Jessica DiGioia made 7 saves for Palatine.
"Today showed that we have been working on getting better," said Glenbard West coach Laura Finfrock. "You learn as a team from a close game like this one.
Tessa had the hot hand today. She can score but she also has the vision to get others the ball so they can score. She got the team pumped up."
Palatine coach Oscar Flores has seen vast improvement in his team over the last few weeks.
"We were hanging with teams until halftime," said Flores. "Now we're extending our game to the finish. I'm very proud of what the girls have accomplished. This was a hard-fought game and we will gain valuable experience. We're getting there as a team."
And Spencer?
"She really took it upon herself to bring us back," added Flores. "She's got a great future for us. She's feeling more comfortable with her game and is meshing with the upperclassmen."