Butler girls lacrosse dominates Knoch, extending win streak to 5 as balanced offense stays hot

March 28, 2025 Last Updated: March 28, 2025 10:50 PM Sports

BUTLER TWP — A scoring discrepancy gave Butler 16 goals, one more goal than it actually had in Friday night’s 15-8 home win over non-conference foe Knoch.

Maybe the incorrect scoreboard tally can be chalked up to how much the Golden Tornado girls lacrosse team has found the back of the net so far. Coach Corey Hurley’s crew had 26 shots on goal, and seven different girls got on the scoreboard against the Knights (2-4).

In past seasons, Hurley said, his team has only had one or two consistent scorers. That hasn’t been the case to this point in the season.

Junior standout Taryn Hilovsky netted a game-high five goals, while sophomore Izzy Skal had four and Parker Slater, another sophomore, scored two. Seniors Elliette Smith and Willow Womack, sophomore Brooke Steyer and freshman Addison Pino also had markers.

“We’ve been clicking on offense,” Hurley said. “We’ve scored, I think, double digits in every game except the first one, and it’s been everybody. It hasn’t just been one player. ... We’ve worked all season to move the ball around, pass and play for each other. We’ve got girls moving, getting in open spaces, and we’re making the passes and getting the open shots.

“I mean, everybody we put on the field is scoring goals, so it’s been nice to have options.”

Butler (5-1) is on a five-game win streak after losing its opener at Penn-Trafford.

The Golden Tornado took part in an indoor winter league at North Park. It served as Butler’s only full-field practice during the colder season, and their time there helped Skal, Hilovsky — formerly a midfielder — and Pino get comfortable with one another. Freshman Emmy McGarrah and Slater are also part of that mix.

“We have some pretty good skill up at the top, and we’ve been working really well together this year, so it’s helping us more and more,” Skal said. “I feel like we can all trust each other with the ball, so it gets to everyone.”

Against Knoch, the Golden Tornado raced out to a 4-0 lead in the initial 5:04. They led by 10 heading into the fourth quarter before Knoch scored four in a row. Those came after Butler sophomore goalie Campbell Clouse, the starter, was relieved.

Knoch’s Avery Adams and Maura Davies, both seniors, had five and two goals, respectively. Sophomore Tessa Bishop another.

“They played hard, they kept pushing through,” Knights assistant coach Todd Collins said. “They got a couple goals, got some momentum going. We figured we had something to work with.”

Butler reached the WPIAL Class 3A postseason before being bounced by Fox Chapel in the first round last season.

“I’m hoping to make it further in playoffs this year, and I’m hoping to win against more teams that we lost to last year,” Skal said.