Spring is approaching, bringing flowers, rain, t-shirts, and lacrosse. The Hilltopper girl’s lacrosse team recently started up for the season and excitement is in the air.
Coach Alison Platz and Assistant Coach Greg Jahnke lead the team. This is alongside the four varsity team captains senior, Maddie Christie, and juniors Grace Darone, Maggie Slack, and Stella Parish.
Though they had open fields and training throughout the winter months, true practices began around late February. Following these, the first game of the season was an away game on March 19, which they won. The girls played the Louisvile Leopards, who are about an hour and a half away.

There are many underclassmen on the varsity team and the first game served as a learning experience for not only those underclassmen but the team as a whole.

“It was kind of eye-opening,” shared Darone who plays midfield and defense.

“It was a total team effort,” said Platz, girls lacrosse coach of two years. “(they were) figuring each other out.”

Main rivals for the team this season include Lake Catholic, Kenston, and Riverside. Though each team offers different challenges, Platz keeps her team both physically and mentally prepared through much time spent on skills.

The team as a whole, Darone shared, is pretty close-knit, which Platz credited the captains for building.

“I feel like the captains have been instrumental in the team being cohesive,” said Platz.

The Hilltopper girls have the whole season ahead of them. Catch these next few games at home on 4/21 against Mentor, 4/23 against Revere, and 4/26 against Riverside.