In an effort to create team unity, Chardon Head Coach Alison Platz took her lacrosse team, in its third year, on a spring break trip.
In an effort to create team unity, Chardon Head Coach Alison Platz took her lacrosse team, in its third year, on a spring break trip.
Not to the warmer southern climates, but to Syracuse, N.Y., a trip made possible through fundraising by parents. Platz and the parents hope the experience pays off as the team continues to improve and grow.
Five Hilltoppers girls lacrosse players combined for 14 goals on April 13 to defeat the Solon Comets, 14-7.
“Tonight’s game, it was something we kind of had to fight through,” Platz said. “We grabbed the lead quick. Solon did a nice job of working their way back in, and we kind of had to fight through some of that adversity to get back to where we were.”
As Coach Platz mentioned, the Hilltoppers got out to a quick lead. In fact, Payton Platz scored four first-half goals within the first six minutes of the game. She also netted a fifth goal in the second half to help lead the Hilltoppers to victory.
In defeating the Comets, Hilltoppers players and coaches emphasized the importance of working together as a family and staying cohesive.
“I think it was a really good team effort,” Payton Platz said. “It was a strong start; I could never have done all that without the team.
“I think we played very good as a team tonight.”
In addition to Platz’s amazing offensive performance, the Hilltoppers also received a great offensive game from Lauren Jackson, who had a hat trick with three goals.
Jackson scored twice in the first half, then scored a third goal early in the second half.
“Everything that happened, all the goals, were a team effort, and we just collectively as a team pulled this win off,” Jackson said. “Every goal, everything that I got to score tonight, was because of the team. We all work so hard together. I got good passes from my teammates, so I couldn’t have done it without them.”
Coach Platz discussed the excellent performances of Payton Platz and Jackson.
“She (Payton Platz) is a quick starter, so that helps,” Coach Platz said. “We always tell our kids when you have the opportunity to take the shot, go for it, just be smart about it. And she listened.
“Lauren is new to middie this year. So that was a super cool thing for her to do, to be able to net three. She has put in a lot of hard work during the off season, and it really showed. She’s earned the time she’s gotten. I am super proud of her.”
In addition to the combined eight goals by Payton Platz and Jackson, the Hilltoppers got an additional six goals from five other players: Stella Parrish (2 goals), Gray Tyminski, Sadie Richards, Grace Darone and Kaelyn Cardina.
Five players also combined for eight assists, and 15 players contributed to fielding ground balls throughout the game — all in working together cohesively.
Parrish led the team with three assists, Darone had two, and Cardina, Skylar Duvall-Lewis and Maggie Slack each had one.
Leading the Hilltoppers in fielding ground balls were Darone (eight) and Payton Platz (four). Four players each fielded three ground balls for the Hilltoppers: Duvall-Lewis, Parrish, Slack and Tyminski.
The Hilltoppers’ busy week ahead would pit them against Beaumont (April 17), Kenston (April 18), Canfield (April 20) and Revere (April 22).
