Girls lacrosse: Defense keys Stevenson's surge
The Stevenson girls lacrosse team is on the defensive attack and loving every minute of it.
The Patriots, who scored a key 11-10 North Suburban Conference win over Libertyville earlier this week after a tough 11-10 NSC loss to Lake Forest, had 138 caused turnovers in their first 13 games.
"We have focused primarily on defense this season," Stevenson coach Sarah Gutierrez said. "With those 138 caused turnovers we are feeling confident and excited about our team performance on the field."
Teagan Hendricks, Angela Ran, Alex Varshavsky, Abby Kogan, Maddie Lewis, Elena DiBella and Isabella Wisniewski are "constantly performing well and together as a defensive unit to jump-start our attack," Gutierrez said.
The win over Libertyville pushed the Patriots to 12-2 overall and 3-1 in NSC action.
"The close game with Lake Forest gets us excited for our sectional and playoff opportunities," Gutierrez said. "Overall, we are excited to have our two losses each by only a goal and we are looking forward to finishing the season strong with some tough matchups ahead."
Junior goalie Megan Randol has a save percentage about 60, while junior Lili Sorenson has been key as well, Gutierrez noted.
"Megan has been incredible in the net," she said. "She is an absolute rock for the team. Lili also consistently performed all season. We look forward to her continuing to lead the team."
Sorenson leads the team in all statistical categories, while Hendricks is right behind her. After the Libertyville game, Sorenson had 64 goals, 30 assists, 96 draw controls, 47 caused turnovers and 50 groundballs, while Hendricks has 33 goals, 8 assists, 40 groundballs, 36 draw controls and 26 caused turnovers. Jordyn Ackerman has 29 goals and 10 assists.
"Lilli and Megan stand out immediately for us," Gutierrez said. "Teagan has transitioned from defense to midfield, and she's providing great balance to the team on both ends, but we also have had different attackers step up along the way. I am looking forward to who really pushes themselves and their teammates to the next level before playoffs."
Libertyville update: All sorts of good has been making its way into the Libertyville girls lacrosse program of late.
Coach Andra Dalton's squad still was 11-2 overall and 1-2 in NSC play after the Stevenson loss. The Wildcats had been on a three-game winning streak, plus a recent victory over Deerfield was the squad's first against the fellow Lake County foe in eight years.
Molly Werntz fired in 8 goals on senior day against Buffalo Grove, and is one of the Wildcats' statistical leaders along with Tatum Blacker and Sophia Weick.
"Molly, Tatum and Sophia all have really great stick skills and lacrosse IQs," Dalton said. "They are also competitors with a drive to win and do well. They hustle and are aggressive during the entire game."
Dalton loves the direction her group is headed in both short- and long-term. "We are young and I am excited to see what this team accomplishes this season and in the future," she said.
Vernon Hills update: Vernon Hills (2-11, 0-5 Central Suburban North to start the week) is paced by the likes of Corinne O'Brien, Amelia Bell, Taylor Korner and Lizzy Eitel. O'Brien was leading the team in points with 39 (4 per game), while Bell had a .857 shooting percentage to start the week. Korner is the team leader in groundballs with 31, while Eitel had 14 goals, 27 groundballs, 12 assists and 15 caused turnovers at week's beginning. Lily Cairo made 110 saves through the team's first 13 games.
Coach Steve Werntz noted the loss of captain and returning all-state player Noemi Ramirez to a season-ending injury, "left a scoring hole we have been unable to fill," she said. "Our players have stepped up in ways big and small, and we are proud of their efforts."
Barrington update: Barrington was 7-7 overall and 6-2 in Mid-Suburban action to start the week. The Fillies were recent overtime winners against Conant on senior night.
Coach Charles Solomon has been pleased with the recent efforts of junior attack Madison Powell, sophomore middie Isabella Benton and sophomore attack Mya Chhadia. "They are our draw specialists and have been instrumental in our wins," he said.