Dramatic opener to season
Butler christens new year, coach with OT victory
BUTLER TWP — A new season and a new coach.
Both of them got off on the right foot for the Butler girls
lacrosse team.
Alexis Leech scored her second goal of the game 43 seconds into
overtime to give the Golden Tornado a 12-11 victory over Allderdice in the
season opener at Art Bernardi Stadium Friday night.
Hanna Welty won the overtime draw, made her way behind the
Dragons' net and waited for the streaking Leech, whose shot beat Allderdice
goalie Hilary Serbin.
“We showed good patience in the overtime,” said first-year Butler
coach Rachel Wilson. “We won the draw, which is something I have really been
pushing with the team. We are without two key (injured) players in Mya Reese
and Reanna Everton, but I thought we did well.”
Butler trailed for much of the game, including 11-9 in the waning
moments of regulation. But Lauren Miller scored her fourth goal of the game to
cut the Dragons' edge to one goal with 2:50 left. Shannon Douthett then tallied
the equalizer less than a minute later.
Tornado goalie Rachel Gesin blocked a shot by Allderdice's Elizabeth
Drake with 35 seconds remaining to force the extra period. Drake had scored
four times earlier in the game.
Butler's defense, which graduated all but one starter from last
year, experienced some growing pains. The Dragons scored two quick goals at the
start of the game, then managed three straight scores to take a 6-4 lead with
4:38 left in the first half.
“We need to multi-task on defense,” said Wilson. “We have to keep
our eyes on the (opposing) girl and the ball at the same time. We may switch to
zone later in the season, but considering we've only been able to practice on
this field once so far, it worked out for us today.”
Butler stayed in the game in the first half thanks to scores from
Miller (2), Leech, Kayla Widenhofer, Douthett and Welty. At intermission, the
team's deficit was just two goals at 8-6.
Allderdice also received four scores from Olivia O'Connor. The
Dragons have an official head coach for the first time in four years in Natalie
Lamanna.
“We did well in transition,” she said. “We took good shots and
communicated well. It wasn't just one player out there. I see a lot of
potential with this team.”
Gesin made five stops for Butler and Serbin eight for the
Dragons.
Butler travels to Hampton on Tuesday.
“(Reese and Everton) both have their concussion tests Wednesday,”
Wilson said. “Hopefully, they will be able to play Thursday (against Vincentian
Academy).”
Boys Lacrosse Bethel Park 9, Butler 7
The Golden Tornado scored four goals in the fourth quarter, but
their rally fell short in this loss to the visiting Black Hawks.
Jamison Smith scored three times and added a pair of assists for
Butler.
Justin Jablonski tallied two goals while Nicolas Cicco and Sam
Lex both scored once. Gavin Terwilliger contributed three assists.