Whether it’s
sharpening their fingernails or perhaps something else, the Xavier Prep club
lacrosse team needs to get a better grip to achieve more success.
The Gators
put a lot of effort into a season that ended on Friday night’s (April 26) Senior
Night at Petznick Field with an 8-7 loss to Chandler Hamilton in overtime. The
team, which finished at 5-9, needs to find a way to win those close games.
Five of the
Gators’ losses were by just one goal, and a sixth by two.
Against
Hamilton, which they had defeated 9-7 in an earlier match on April 5, the
Gators had a 7-5 lead in the second half, but saw that evaporate. Hamilton
(7-7) forced the contest into overtime and won it with 55 seconds left in the
first three-minute extra session.
“It has been
the story of our season,’’ said Xavier coach Jen Nevatt. “We have had a lot of
close games.
“We had a
lot of talent with our underclassmen, and hopefully they will be able to keep
their skills sharp going into next season. There are some club programs and
some colleges that have clinics. We also will need to have mental and physical
endurance.’’
She will be
sorry to see the current group of seniors move on.
“They played
with so much heart this year. They will be missed next year,’’ she said.
At the top
of that list are Grace Martinez and Sarah Minton, who scored two goals apiece.
Junior Caroline Andreen also scored twice and the other goal was by junior Nina
Mackey.
With a win
on Friday night, Xavier could have claimed the sixth and final playoff spot in
the 10-team Arizona Girls Lacrosse Association, but Hamilton will get that
instead. Scottsdale Chaparral and Phoenix Pinnacle are the top two seeds and
earn first-round byes. Hamilton is expected to play No. 3 Scottsdale Notre Dame
Prep in the first round and No. 5 Tempe Corona del Sol likely will face No. 4
Phoenix Desert Vista.
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