Lambert’s ride through the postseason came to an end in the state finals as the highly-touted No. 1 boys lacrosse team lost to three time state champ, the Lovett Lions, 13-9 (ranking according to laxpower.com). The first quarter was a seesaw battle that ended in a 4-4 tie. From there, the Lions took a lead and held off numerous challenges by the Longhorns to tie the game. In the final minutes of the third quarter, Lambert scored three goals to close the margin to 10-9, however, that was the closest they would get. Adam Seal led the effort for the Longhorns with four goals.
LONGHORNS ARRIVE …
Lambert, the newest school in Forsyth, had a breakthrough season this spring and showed that it would be force in the years to come. The boys and girls tennis teams, the boys lacrosse team, and the girls golf team each won region titles in Class 3A, Region 7.
"We are very proud of how hard the athletes worked and the leadership provided by our coaching staff", said Lambert athletic director Drew Ferrer. "All year, the name Lambert High School was becoming more and more recognized from our fall and winter sports teams and this spring we have really put this school on the map as strong competitors in everything we do."
Of course, one of the biggest assets going for Lambert as they enter year two of competition is returning all of their athletes, a factor that may contribute to an even more successful year in 2010-2011.
GRIZZLIES BREAK THROUGH …
The Creekview girls became the first Cherokee County soccer team to reach the state championship game. Ranked No. 2 (according to eurosportscoreboard.com) in Class 3A for much of the year, the finals set up a showdown with No. 1 St. Pius X, who was the 2009 state champ. After a spirited effort, the Lady Golden Lions emerged victorious, posting their eighth straight shutout en route to a 5-0 win. Kelsey Keown and Alexa Newfield scored two goals each. Keown got St. Pius X on the board first by putting a ball in the net off an assist from Newfield just 15 minutes into the game. Caroline Wooten added a goal as well. Emily Cox, the Lady Golden Lions goalkeeper, saved six attempts by the Lady Grizzlies. With excellent play on defense from Grace Raines, Bryana Gold, Elizabeth Kinsel and Pamela Pimente, St. Pius X made it difficult for Creekview to get quality shots.
In the end, the season was still very special to Creekview head coach Kari Schmitt, who watched her young team grow up to become the first program to reach a state title game at the school.
"I think that the aspect that I have been most proud of is their heart – they have dealt with a lot of injuries, sickness and tiredness and they still keep going. All of our girls have stepped it up," said Schmitt. "Last year we were good but still young – three starting freshman – this year those freshman are in their second year of state playoffs – my seniors have three years of playoffs under their belts – so to them state playoffs is a tradition."
The loss to St. Pius X was the second in as many years, as the Lady Golden Lions eliminated the Lady Grizzlies in last year’s semifinal round.
The West Forsyth girls lacrosse team reached their first state championship game, but it was not without excitement as they needed a one-point victory over Holy Innocents’ in the semifinal round. The No. 2-ranked Lady Wolverines held a seven-goal lead in the second half, but allowed the Golden Bears to get back into the game and even force a sudden death overtime, as they tied the game 12-12. Just 24 seconds into overtime, Nikki Erdely, a Jacksonville State signee, provided the game-winning goal, giving West the 13-12 win and setting up a state championship showdown with No. 1 Westminster.
Westminster’s offense proved to be the difference maker as they ran past the Lady Wolverines eventually winning 22-9, easily the highest total that West has given up all season. Westminster took control of the game early taking a 12-6 lead into halftime en route to the state championship. West Forsyth deserves praise for a season marked by consistent improvement highlighted by their first state finals appearance. Individual accolades recently were awarded to Nikki Erdely (First-Team All-State), Taylor Hagin (Second-Team All-State), and Haley Holder (Honorable Mention All-State).
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