Sometimes it’s the game within the game, a particular matchup that makes things that much more interesting.
“I really liked Paige guarding Hanna, the best two players in the district on each other,” said Monticello coach Trent Holden.
Eventually, Western Albemarle’s Hanna Schuler and Monticello’s Paige McGlothlin will be college teammates in Arizona State’s fledgling lacrosse program, but Tuesday night they locked horns in the latest installment of the Western versus Monticello girls lacrosse rivalry with Schuler’s squad getting the better of the Mustangs in a 14-9 Western win.
“It’s so fun and she’s such a good competitor,” Schuler said. “We played together with travel together at nationals so it’s always great to go against her and see how we can compete.”
Schuler poured in six goals, grabbed eight draw controls and added an assist for good measure. She was particularly explosive early on before Holden switched McGlothlin on to her. That played a role in helping Monticello claw back into the game after trailing 3-1 out of the gate as the Mustangs eventually tied 5-5 on a Kendall Walin goal with 5:51 to play in the half.
“I say this all the time, but it’s a game of runs and we know Monticello is going to fight back any way they can,” said Western coach Tara Hohenshelt. “You have to really be composed and pay attention to the smaller details, placing your shot, taking care of the ball, not rolling back into a double team and playing good defense with your feet and not your stick.”
Western adjusted to the McGlothin switch eventually, holding Monticello to just three second half goals while pulling away with a 4-1 run out of the break. That was enough distance with goalie Catherine Adams making eight saves including a couple of critical ones that kept the run going.
Schuler scored twice in the second half, but Anna Kreienbaum and Reid Ferguson also got going with Kreienbaum finishing with a hat trick and aen assist and Ferguson scoring twice after the break. Western got into an offensive rhythm, with Kira Repich scoring on a quick feed and then with 11:14 to play, Mady Starsia scored on a tremendous take from behind the cage to put the Warriors up 12-8.
The Mustangs couldn’t come up with a decisive counterpunch, but the game showed the massive improvement Monticello is making as back in late March, Western rolled 19-10 over the Mustangs. With a much strong performance and likely another shot at the Warriors in the postseason, Monticello had a lot to be happy about.
“Last time we got into a big hole and then kind of stepped back and they took over the game,” Holden said. “It was great as a coach to keep it within one at halftime and yeah we let them get on a little run but then we just stuck with it to the end.”
McGlothlin finished with two goals, two assists and a tremendous nine draw controls. Josie Mallory finished with a hat trick while Kendall Walin had two goals and an assist. Megan Walin and Sophia Shepherd each had a goal while keeper Carly Harris registered seven saves for the Mustangs.
Audrey Russell, had a goal too for the Warriors while Anne Patterson had two assists and Joie Funk had a helper.
Western faces a quick turnaround with a road game against Midlothian Wednesday while Monticello travels to take on Charlottesville Friday night.
Western girls lacrosse's Hanna Schuler talks about the Warriors' win over Monticello in First Off the Field presented by @PT_acac pic.twitter.com/06BnZlJiLY
— scrimmageplay (@scrimmageplay) April 26, 2017
