On May 7, the State College Area High School varsity girls lacrosse team defeated Mechanicsburg 13-6.
State College got off to a fast start, scoring two goals within the first three minutes of the game.
After winning the faceoff, the Little Lions quickly added another goal less than a minute later by No. 17, senior McKenna Whitehurst.
Another goal was later scored by No. 1, senior Macey Mitchell, continuing State College’s dominant first quarter. Additional goals followed, including one by No. 9, sophomore Ally Swauger, assisted by Mitchell.
After those goals, State College won another faceoff and regained possession after scoring. The team attempted another shot after moving behind the net, but the Mechanicsburg defense blocked the attempt at 6:28 in the first quarter.
Not discouraged, State College attacked again and quickly scored another goal from behind the net by No. 7, junior Maddie Kopinski.
Mechanicsburg later fouled a State College player, leading to a free-position attempt that was blocked by the defense.
State College remained composed throughout the game, with players and coaches continuing to encourage one another from the sidelines, offering their support.
At 1:11 in the second quarter, Swauger scored another goal. Mechanicsburg tried to respond before halftime but missed the shot, marking the end of the second quarter.
“For me, I usually just hold my follow-through where I want the ball to go,” Swauger said while reflecting on her scoring strategy. “I find that I have the best percentage of shots made when I shoot low. For this I look where I want the ball to go, and then release the ball higher or lower, depending if I want the ball to go up or down.”
At the halfway mark, State College led 7-4.
The teams battled throughout much of the third quarter, with the first goal coming from sophomore Reagan Dare at 10:32. The Wildcats answered shortly afterward with a goal at 10:15.
The Lions continued to score throughout the quarter, including more goals from Whitehurst, assisted by Mitchell, who also scored later in the quarter at 4:16.
State College added another goal at 2:42 by Whitehurst, assisted by Dare, marking the final goal of the third quarter.
At the end of the third quarter, State College led 12-5. The Little Lions added one more goal in the fourth quarter, coming from Mitchell. Mechanicsburg scored its final goal at 3:40.
The final score was 13-6, with the Little Lions taking the gold and earning another victory.
The team now looks towards the playoffs, which will continue on June 2 in the first round of the PIAA State Tournament.
