(March 27, 2015) Leigh Anne Flounlacker is off to a good start, beginning her first season as head coach of the Worcester Prep girls’ lacrosse team with two victories this week.
On Tuesday, the Lady Mallards took a trip to Easton to battle the Warriors. They came home with a 16-9 win. Leading the team was senior Sophie Brennan with four goals and an assist. Sophomores Leigh Lingo and Karlie Southcomb netted three goals apiece. Senior goalie Carolyn Dorey stopped six Easton shots.
The next day, Worcester hosted the Wi-Hi Indians. The Berlin squad topped its opponent 18-2.
Seniors Caroline Lindsay and Molly Soulè scored three goals apiece. Lingo, Brennan, Southcomb and sophomore Amy Lizas logged two goals each. Junior Grace Tunis assisted six of the team’s 18 goals.
Dorey and junior goalie Bridget Brown made one save apiece.
“I was really happy with the way they played. They came out really, really strong [Tuesday] and just set the pace for how they want to start the season, and then they continued that [Wednesday], again coming out strong, getting a few quick goals and then just trying to control the pace of the game,” Flounlacker said. “After these first two games I’ve seen improvement. They’re seeing the field better and they’re working well together.”
Flounlacker coached the JV team last season and assisted Allie Gamble with the varsity squad. When the position opened to coach the varsity team this season Flounlacker jumped at the opportunity.
“I’m excited and pretty humbled being offered the position,” she said.
Flounlacker was a standout lacrosse player for Stephen Decatur before graduating in 2011. Flounlacker went on to play lacrosse for two seasons at Elizabethtown in Pennsylvania and was named All-American. Herniated discs in her back forced her to give up lacrosse. Flounlacker transferred to Salisbury University where she is majoring in psychology. She will graduate this spring.
“I’m disappointed I can’t play, but I’m happy I can still coach,” the 22-year-old said.
The transition has been pretty smooth for Flounlacker and the players. Many of the girls competed for her on JV and she got to know the veterans while working with the varsity squad last year.
“It’s going awesome. We are 2-0 so it’s a great start to our season,” Soulè, a four-year player, said.
“Leigh Anne’s fantastic,” added Brennan, a member of the team since her freshman year. The midfielder has signed to play Div. I lacrosse for Furman University in Greenville, S.C.
Brennan, Soulè, Tunis and senior Maura Smith were named team captains.
“They pick the team up and make everyone work harder. It makes my job a lot easier,” Flounlacker said.
“We will help guide the younger kids and get them into the flow of everything,” Soulè, a midfielder, said. She is headed to Savannah College of Art and Design to play lacrosse. “I think so far we’re doing awesome. We have tougher games coming up, but for the start of the season I think we’re doing well.”
Soulè received Second Team All-Eastern Shore Independent Athletic Conference accolades last year. She helped lead the team to a 15-0 undefeated season and the Mallards’ second consecutive conference title.
Worcester graduated a dozen players from that championship team. Seven are back to compete this season.
“A majority of our team last year was seniors, so this year we have pretty much a completely new team,” Brennan said. “As seniors and captains we have to lead the team and just give [the girls] someone to look up to and guidance … I think it would be awesome again to go undefeated. If we work hard it’s a possibility.”
Flounlacker said her goal is to make the 23 girls on her roster better players.
“I’m excited to see what they can do,” she said. “We’re young, but feisty. The girls are definitely ready for good competition. They know they have a lot to live up to from last year and they’re ready to take that [challenge] on.”
Flounlacker said the team has a strong attack, with many girls who can score goals.
“We have a lot of speed all over the field,” she added.
A number of girls who played on the defensive line graduated. Flounlacker will look to Smith, who has committed to ply Division III lacrosse for Franklin & Marshall in Pennsylvania, and Dorey to lead the defense.
GIRLS’ LACROSSE:
March 27: Parkside, 4 p.m. (A)
March 28: Karl Wolf Tournament, 11 a.m. (A)
March 31: Sts. Peter & Paul, 4 p.m. (A)
April 2: Tower Hill, 6 p.m. (A)
April 7: Bennett, 4 p.m. (H)
April 10: Salisbury School, 4 p.m. (A)
April 14: Gunston, 4 p.m. (A)
April 17: Sts. Peter & Paul, 4 p.m. (H)
April 22: Cape, 7 p.m. (A)
April 25: Salisbury School, noon (H)
April 27: Stephen Decatur, 4 p.m. (H)
April 29: Sussex Tech, 4 p.m. (A)
May 8: ESIAC finals, TBA
