Girls lacrosse rolling into midseason
Midfielder Carly Bitner runs downfield in a senior night game against Lake Mary Prep. The team won the March 9 game 12-2.
Seven games into the season, the girls lacrosse team is going strong, blowing out their last two opponents, Seminole and Lake Howell, 37-0.
“I feel the start of the season has been a good start for us. The team all gets along really well but we’re still learning how to play with each other,” defender Mary Rasmussen said. “Each game continues to make us grow as a team and get better.”
They are one of the top teams in the conference and have tested their skill by competing against two of the best teams in the state, American Heritage and IMG Academy.
American Heritage, who beat Hagerty 17-7, is ranked #20 in the country and #1 in the state for girls lacrosse, and recruits players from all over the country to come and play on their team. They are the only team located in Florida ranked in the national top 25.
Hagerty also played IMG; they were in the lead for the majority of the time, until they lost momentum, eventually losing 13-12.
“The IMG game was a tough one that we could’ve won, but I think my nerves and emotions got to me,” midfielder Carly Bitner said.
Hagerty ended up falling short at the end of the game and Bitner believes the overwhelming pressure hindered their playing. She mentioned the IMG game taught her how to handle playing under pressure and to control her nerves and emotions for future matchups.
Despite the disappointment, the team needed to rebound and prepare for nationally ranked American Heritage.
“Our coach told us that in games like these we can always learn something, no matter what the scoreboard says at the end of the game,” Bitner said.
Going into the game, some of the players were feeling nervous playing the nationally-ranked team, but the team was well aware of American Heritage’s reputation and were ready to compete, but fell to American Heritage 17-7.
“American Heritage competes which caused us to compete and there was a mutual respect on the field for each other,” Bitner said.
After the early season matches against top teams, the team beat some local teams to run their record to 5-2. The players were not dwelling on the loss; instead, they were preparing for district and conference matchups.
On March 9, senior night, the girls played Lake Mary Prep and dominated the field. Midfielders Kailyn Reyes and Sarah Davis both scored, contributing to the 14-2 victory.
Tuesday was a bittersweet moment for all of the seniors, marking their last time playing lacrosse with the team.
“We are such a close team, and it is going to be hard losing good friends and teammates,” Bitner said.
Their next game is against Bartram Trail at Bartram on Mar. 12. The team is looking forward to the game and is planning on carrying the winning moment into the next game.
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