Sports

Stow Girls Lacrosse Starts Season 1-1

Spring sports have started despite the cold, wintry conditions.

The girls lacrosse team traveled to Toledo to face St. Ursula's Academy Saturday morning. The Bulldogs played the first game of the season after and fell to Arrows 9-3. 

The veteran Bulldog defense held its own against a solid St. Ursula attack, holding the hosts scoreless for the first 15 minutes. Stow broke out on top as Megan Garrison scored her first varsity goal at just under the 16 minute mark. SUA answered a minute later as Sasha Mandros scored on a crease roll. St Ursula's Tenley Sidel scored the next two goals to send them to intermission with a 3-1 lead. Stow's Erin Wright had a spectacular first half as she recorded 11 blocks. 

In the second half, the Arrows siezed the momentum and controlled nearly every draw, scoring the next four goals over the first 10 minutes to take command at 7-2. The Bulldog defense was on its heels for most of the second half.

Stow finally answered on a nifty assist from Jessie Swanger as she crossed in front of the goal and flipped the ball to Haley Hopkins waiting on the left post. Hopikins snagged the ball and ushered it into the corner of the net for the second Stow goal of the season. St. Ursula scored two more goals before Stow closed the scoring as Hopkins rolled from behind the net, ducked under her defender and drove the ball past the Arrows goalkeeper with only 15 seconds remaining.

The Bulldog Junior Varsity squared off with the Arrows JV squad but could fare no better as they also dropped their opener. 

Second game Saturday

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The Stow Lady Bulldogs had to fight off a late charge by Sylvania Northview High School but held on to win their first game of the new season Saturday. Playing their second contest of the day in cold and blustery conditions, the Bulldogs jumped out to an early lead as Brittani Hylton scored after only a minute had elapsed.

A minute later, Jessie Swanger slashed through the defense to fire into the net. At the 20 minute mark, Kelsie Hengle took a pass from Swanger and flipped a shot to the back of the net and Stow led 3-0. 

The following 5 minutes Sylvania siezed momentum, but the Bulldog defense was able to hold off the attack. Katie Hill, Kendall Lang, Shannon Perko, and Ashley Austin all fought hard in the defensive end. Sylvania managed to break through at teh 14:30 mark, but Stow answered as Swanger took a pass from Amanda Cooper at the top of the circle, swerved through the defense, and drove home an overhand shot over the goalkeeper's net.

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Sylvanian answered, but Kelly Vitt stepped up to convert a free position shot and re-establish the lead. Following another Sylvania score, slipped through the defense and beat the goalie on a low shot which eluded her grasp. Sylvania scored the final two goals of the period and the teams went to halftime with Stow leading by a single goal at 6-5.

In the second half, it appeared Stow would take complete command early as they scored the first four goals of the period. Vitt converted her second goal of the day at 23:30, and Hengle score her second at 21 minutes. Vitt then completed the hat trick on a slashing drive from the right side and a shot to the corner of the goal. Haley Hopkins then scored her third goal of the season as she rolled from behind the net, stepped back, then slipped under her defender at the corner of the goal. Firing from point blank range, she hit the top corner of the net before the keeper could react, and Stow had posted a commanding 10-5 lead.

Coach Stoner substituted liberally, and the lead seemed secure in spite of a Sylvania goal at 13:30. Freshan Sam Banks scored her first varsity goal a the 9:20 mark, driving in from the right side to rifle a shot to the corner of the goal. But Sylvania started to rally and scored the next 3 goals to bring themselves back into the game. Ahead by only 2 with 5 minutes left, Coach Stoner re-inserted the starting lineup, but they were unable to re-establish momentum after cooling down in the brisk wind. Sylvania scored another goal with only 16 seconds remaining. Training by only 1 goal, the ensuing draw was followed by a mad scramble for possession. Sylvania eventually gathered the ball in, but time expired before they could advance to the Stow end of the field, giving Stow a narrow 11-10 victory.

Senior Erin Wright earned the victory in goal, and was credited with 11 blocks. Stow stands at 1-1 on the season. 
The Junior Varsity Bulldogs were also victorious against the Sylvania JV team.

Editor's note: Mark Bonfiglio submitted information for this story.


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