JV Lady Falcons Lay Foundation With Strong Lacrosse Season

There are many important links in the chain of successful sports and educational experiences of area kids, and one key piece of the girls athletics program at Severna Park is the JV girls lacrosse team.

The JV Falcons had a strong year in 2018, going 9-3 overall and building a foundation for continued excellence in the program’s first year playing in its new facilities.

“The entire season was great,” said Falcons JV head coach Annie Houghton, who coaches the team with assistant coach Jen Edwards. “This was such a positive team that really worked well together. Everyone came to practice each day ready to work hard. We were a very young team but so many girls stepped up as leaders on the field. That was an amazing thing to see as a coach.”

Houghton said the team of Lauren Atcheson, Cameron Brinegar, Reagan Clark, Cat Cleary, Maya Cobb, Riley Edwards, Grace Ferguson, Ella Grizzle, Brianna Johnson, Abigail Jones, Emersyn Ketler, Jenna King, Delaney Lee, Kayla McCool, Noelle Ricci, Maddy Rumsey, Erin Schaner, Macey Scott, Carson Shoop, Carson Smith, Sofia Villagomez, Kimberly Williams, Kennedy Wolfe and Victoria Ziethen bonded through several successes on the field as well as multiple experiences off it.

Houghton cited an early-season 9-5 win over Severn as a strong victory in which the Falcons played consistent lacrosse for the full 50 minutes, patiently executing their offense, sliding quickly on defense and transitioning well.

An 11-8 win over a much-improved Arundel program was another highlight, as the attack unit assisted each other six times, McCool had six saves in goal and the defensive core of Rumsey, Shoop, Cleary and Brinegar played great. Ferguson had four goals in the win, while King and Clark had three each.

The team also notched an 11-7 win over South River in its last big victory of the year. Schaner had three goals and two ground balls in the Falcons’ win over the Seahawks.

Clark (23 goals, 26 draw controls, 17 ground balls) led the team in three statistical categories, while King (17 goals, 19 assists), Jones (16 goals, 24 draw controls), Ferguson (16 goals, 17 draw controls), Scott (five assists, 14 ground balls) and Schaner (16 ground balls) all had standout statistical totals.

The team started a new tradition by having a pizza party while decorating its new locker room; they did secret sister gifts as a way to hype each other up before games; and they partook in an Easter egg hunt over spring break.

Houghton praised the support of the parents in helping to organize team activities.

“We have such an awesome group of parents that support us,” said Houghton. “Throughout the season, parents hosted team dinners at their homes and set up Saturday morning breakfasts for both JV and varsity. It is definitely appreciated by both the players and the coaches. I look forward to what next season holds for us and expect to see everyone back at tryouts.”