(March 27, 2015) With a mix of underclassmen and veterans in the starting line-up, Stephen Decatur girls’ lacrosse Coach Bob Musitano was pleased with the Lady Seahawks’ performance during Monday’s season opener against Saints Peter & Paul in Berlin.
“I was pleasantly surprised. We started a freshman and a bunch of sophomores,” Musitano said after Decatur’s 16-3 victory. “You don’t know how young kids are going to take the pressure of their first varsity game as a starter and it was like they were playing club ball.”
The Seahawks led 12-2 at halftime. They outscored the visiting Sabres 4-1 in the second half.
“Saints Peter & Paul is a pretty good team. I watched them play before and we just dominated them,” Musitano said. “[The Seahawks] swarmed the ball. They didn’t cover the cutters as much as I would like to see them, but other than that they played fairly well.”
Senior Payton VanKirk was Decatur’s top producer with five goals. Elle Bargar, a junior, chipped in with three goals and an assist. Sophomores Lexie VanKirk and Christina Romano tallied two goals and an assist each. Victoria Kerkovich, a sophomore, logged two goals. Senior Ally Beck and junior Peyton Townsend scored one goal apiece.
“We played unselfishly. You always look at [the assist column],” Musitano said. “Assists were spread. Draw control was really well done. We won 11 draws out of 21.”
Senior Blair Yesko recorded four of the squad’s nine assists. Bargar and Lexie VanKirk won three draws apiece.
Senior goalie Jillian Petito made five saves. Rachel Florek, a sophomore, stopped one shot.
“Defense has to get a little better covering the cutter,” Musitano said. “We’ve got to keep conditioned. I want these kids to be in the best shape they can be in and that way they can run over anybody.”
Decatur is scheduled to take a trip to Kent Island to face the Buccaneers on Monday at 5:30 p.m.
