GIRLS LACROSSE: Red Raiders throw Stone at Lady Lions

By John D’Onofrio<br><a href="mailto:donofrioj@gnnewspaper.com">E-mail John</a>

LOCKPORT May 09, 2008 10:10 pm

— Kristin Stone saved her best for last Friday, netting the game-winning and insurance goal — two of four tallies on the day — in Clarence’s 12-10 victory over Lockport, topping girls high school lacrosse action.
The Lady Red Devils “held” league-leading scorer Kayla Minner of Lockport to three goals, but a strong Lady Lions supporting cast helped make for one whale of a see-saw game that went down to the final horn.
“I thought that was the best game we played all season,” first-year Lockport head coach Kristin Decker told her team after the game.
“I thought you played strong and you played together. You’ve got nothing to be upset about.”
Minner and Caroline Randall netted three goals each for Lockport. Lea Sobieraski and Allie Quast added two goals apiece for LHS (2-10 Div. I).
Bri Nemmer had three goals for the Lady Red Devils (6-6 Div. 1).
“That was definitely one of our best games. We played as a unit and everyone worked together to make it happen,” said Minner, a junior honor student.
“It’s nice to see us playing at such a higher level this year. We can compete with other high-level teams. There’s a lot to be encouraged about and a lot to look forward to. We’ve come a long way.”
Trailing by a goal midway through the first half, back-to-back tallies by Sobieraski and Minner put LHS up 4-3. Clarence quickly tied it, but Randall scored, from Sobieraski with 7:22 left in the first half and the Lady Lions led, 5-4. Minner’s goal was the LHS High Water mark with 1:47 to go in the half, making it 6-4 Lockport.
Clarence netted three goals before the half and Minner also found the net, making it 7-7 at intermission.
Lockport keeper Jamie Coe made several big saves throughout for Lockport, but the Lady Devils slowly pulled away in the second half.
“We have several skilled players on our side, but the major problem is they start playing in communities like Amherst when they’re 10 years old,” Decker said.
“Here, they start playing the sport when they’re 15 — and we’re a young team. For most of these girls this is the beginning of their development.
“The younger we can get girls in this area started in lacrosse, the better this program will get and the more experience our players will be by the time they get to the varsity level,” Decker added.
GAME NOTES: The officials for Friday’s game were Terri Nelson and Jim Martineck.

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