Girls Lax Preview

Last year, the girls’ Varsity lacrosse did exactly what they wanted to do: make it to the elite eight. The goal still stands this season, however, when May comes around, they are hoping to be even further in their state run by hoisting the state championship trophy.

With 11 returning seniors and 2 returning juniors, the team is very experienced and most have been playing together for at least 2 years now. In addition, several more seniors will be added to the team, giving the 2018 team even more depth.

The team has 2 girls committed to college for lacrosse, senior Samantha Huber and Jordan Haeusser. Huber will be continuing her career at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri, and Haeusser will be going to Missouri Baptist University right down the road.

Returning Head Coach Lindsay Carlile will be coaching the team for one final season along with also being the head coach for Missouri Baptist women’s lacrosse. After this year, she will only be the MoBap coach, so this gives all the girls incentive to make this season the best.

“I’m ecstatic to be working with such a wonderful group of girls again. This is really a special team–not only are they committed, talented, and “all in” for lax, but they also love each other really well and enjoy playing together for Him,” said Carlile

With a multitude of seniors, this Westminster team is feared by many other programs because of the wide range of talent and experience. The team is centered around one word this season, and that word is Intentional. The girls look to be intentional in every drill, practice, game, and how they treat others.

The wildcats still have a multitude of skilled returning midfielders, but this season they are more positionally balanced. The returning middies will be seniors Jenna Galakatos, Huber, Haley Schmer, and captain Whitney Radloff. Radloff being the team’s draw specialist and one of the teams best sharpshooters looks to lead the wildcats to a state championship.

Returning for the wildcat’s attack will be seniors Haley Counts, Deanne Pfyl, and Maddie Volding. All 3 have insane stick skills and the ability to score goals for the wildcats when needed. Additionally, junior captain Dani Mabry will add a left-handed presence behind the cage that will be unstoppable. Senior attacker Alyssa Preusser is excited to play varsity this year and contribute to the team in any way she can.

The Wildcats’ defense looks very strong this year with many experienced seniors. Taylor Siebenmann, Macie Daniels, Brittany Johnson and Haeusser look to continue to anchor the defensive end of things, along with new senior defenders Sarah Preusser and Erin King.

Strong in goal for the wildcats’ again this season will be junior Katelynn Graham. Graham is a valuable asset to the wildcat’s defense and has proven she can be a wall when needed.

“We’ve got so much depth with our seniors and 16 returning varsity players, but we also have our eyes on some younger girls who could provide additional help for the Varsity team. I believe we will have another memorable season together with lots of wins on and off the field,” said Carlile.

Newcomers on attack and midfield for the team will be sophomore Josie Christen and junior Emma Gore. Christen and Gore swung up to Varsity last year and added a valuable edge when on the field. Although they did not play a lot in the Varsity games last year, they are now ready to play a bigger role for the 2018 season.“I am super excited to be surrounded by a lot of experienced players. I know I’ll get so much better this season because I will be practicing against all upperclassmen, really developing my skills,” said Christen, being the only sophomore on the Varsity roster.

The wildcat’s look to improve on their 15-7 season and gain as much momentum as they can going into postseason. The varsity girls lacrosse team is definitely one to watch out for. Come and support your lady wildcats in their jamboree on Friday, March 9, at 4 and 5!