No disappointment for Blackhawk girls lacrosse team
In just two seasons, the Blackhawk High School girls lacrosse team achieved heights that seemed unachievable just a year ago as the Cougars were in the throes of an 0-13 season.
This was a team, though, that surpassed plenty of expectations this year and found themselves in a WPIAL Division 2 girls quarterfinal game against a seasoned and experienced Chartiers Valley squad that earned its 17th victory in a row with a 10-3 triumph on the Colts' home field.
Although the loss stung, don't ascribe the word disappointed to Cougars' coach Kevin White.
"I have no disappointment at all," White saie moments after the game's conclusion. "These girls played their hearts out. The average tenure (of a Cougars' player) is three years, so they played outstanding."
Chartiers Valley jumped out to a 6-0 halftime lead, and expanded the advantage to 8-1 before Blackhawk snapped the scoring drought on a rebound goal by junior forward Christina Veon with 10:59 left in the game.
Francesca Veon and Leah Hornfeck each scored a goal in the game's final 34 seconds to narrow the deficit to seven goals.
"This game was a lot more physical than what we're used to," White said. "But at the end, we started playing the same way, and we were right there."
The future would appear to be bright for Blackhawk, which finished 9-9.
"I've got almost every one of these kids coming back next year," he said.
Just four players will be graduating from a squad that featured 18 players.
White is particularly pleased with how well his goalie, freshman, Aleena Milinski, developed in her first season on the varsity level.
"The first time she picked up a lacrosse stick was in March," he said. "But I do lose four players: two on attack and two on defense. But we have some kids coming up, and I think we'll be just fine."
At least one player agrees Blackhawk will be a solid team next year.
"Apparently, a lot of their players are basketball players so they're already athletic," said Chartiers Valley senior attack Brooke Czarnecki who led the Colts with four goals against the Cougars. "They just have to get the hang of working with the sticks. They weren't bad at all for their second year. They're probably way better than we were (in our second year). It took us a while to make the playoffs."
As a matter of fact, Chartiers Valley was 3-5 in its second year in 2008.
This was a team, though, that surpassed plenty of expectations this year and found themselves in a WPIAL Division 2 girls quarterfinal game against a seasoned and experienced Chartiers Valley squad that earned its 17th victory in a row with a 10-3 triumph on the Colts' home field.
Although the loss stung, don't ascribe the word disappointed to Cougars' coach Kevin White.
"I have no disappointment at all," White saie moments after the game's conclusion. "These girls played their hearts out. The average tenure (of a Cougars' player) is three years, so they played outstanding."
Chartiers Valley jumped out to a 6-0 halftime lead, and expanded the advantage to 8-1 before Blackhawk snapped the scoring drought on a rebound goal by junior forward Christina Veon with 10:59 left in the game.
Francesca Veon and Leah Hornfeck each scored a goal in the game's final 34 seconds to narrow the deficit to seven goals.
"This game was a lot more physical than what we're used to," White said. "But at the end, we started playing the same way, and we were right there."
The future would appear to be bright for Blackhawk, which finished 9-9.
"I've got almost every one of these kids coming back next year," he said.
Just four players will be graduating from a squad that featured 18 players.
White is particularly pleased with how well his goalie, freshman, Aleena Milinski, developed in her first season on the varsity level.
"The first time she picked up a lacrosse stick was in March," he said. "But I do lose four players: two on attack and two on defense. But we have some kids coming up, and I think we'll be just fine."
At least one player agrees Blackhawk will be a solid team next year.
"Apparently, a lot of their players are basketball players so they're already athletic," said Chartiers Valley senior attack Brooke Czarnecki who led the Colts with four goals against the Cougars. "They just have to get the hang of working with the sticks. They weren't bad at all for their second year. They're probably way better than we were (in our second year). It took us a while to make the playoffs."
As a matter of fact, Chartiers Valley was 3-5 in its second year in 2008.
lacrosse