From contenders to defenders

Palm Coast Observer
Opinion

Earlier this spring, before the high school lacrosse season began, Matanzas Lady Pirates coach Bill Hanrahan took his team into the gym.

They weren’t there to shoot hoops or do suicide sprints.

“Look around, and tell me what’s missing,” Hanrahan said to the team, as it was preparing to enter its fourth season.

“There is no girls District Champions banner,” one of the players responded.

It was then that Hanrahan asked his players to make a commitment to team and to each other. The ensuing season was focused on one goal: winning a district championship.

The next day, Hanrahan said, his team showed up “ready and willing to commit to winning districts.”

“The rest is history, and the Matanzas girls lacrosse District Champions banner has been ordered,” Hanrahan said Wednesday, a day after his Lady Pirates ended their season in the Elite 8 of the state playoffs.

Matanzas (12-6) lost to Bartam Trail, 19-2, Tuesday night. The loss capped the best season in school history.

“We had a blend of experienced players and new players who had never picked up a lacrosse stick until this season,” Hanrahan said. “The goal was to blend the two into a practice and game format where they could be challenged and yet successful. I believe we made tremendous strides, and I am looking forward to seeing the program continue to grow.”

This year’s team was led in scoring by junior Stephanie Giminez, who tallied 55 goals and 25 assists in 16 games. Fellow junior Alex Normandin scored 43 goals and had 15 assists.

The Lady Pirates will lose just four seniors from this year’s team: Ashley Manford, Megan Shore, Victoria Richards and Heather Dortch.

A few short months ago, the girls on the team stared up toward to rafters of the gym. Something was missing.

But soon, the banner that resembles all the hard work will be hung. It’s just a banner, but really, it means so much more than that.

“In 2013, we look forward to defending our district championship, and we will continue to work hard and be committed to earning another one,” Hanrahan said.