Members of the Lady Monarch lacrosse team are from left, front row, Emma Boger, Stella Moser and Ellie Conrad; second row, Maggie Zwiezig, Alex Haas, Sophie Hullinger, Riley Sherick, Dani Vanscoy, Emma Swart, Chloe Baschnagel and Haylee Hendel; third row, Grace Hackett, Dana Hughes, Shelby Langhirt, Bethanie Shorr, Hayley Huffman, Rylie Delauder, Kaitlyn Grauman, Abby Williams; fourth row, Maddie French, Rachel Cunningham, Paige Raiter, Noelani Ferguson, Maddie Bliss, McKenna Boger and Olana Chapman; fifth row, Audrey Watson, Kennedy Heard, Lily McCartney, Abbi McLaughlin, Ailyn Martin, Sydney Fetherolf and Addison Bartlett; sixth row, coaches Ryan Swart, Tim Merrick and Michelle Baschnagel. Not pictured, Sophie Smegal and Alexis Norcross-Zales. (Journal-Tribune photo by Sam Dillon)
Marysville High School girls lacrosse coach Tim Merrick has put the 2021 campaign into proper perspective.
“First off, we are happy and excited just to have a season because of COVID-19,” he said. “The girls are excited to finally get to play a game in our home stadium.
“We were in full practice and days from the season starting when everything came to a halt last year,” he said. “The turf field in the stadium has really helped with the growth and development of our players.
“One of the biggest advantages that we gained with the stadium is that we no longer have to worry about the weather and/or destroying our game field with the ground being so soft,” said the coach. “Plus, it opens up space for the other spring sports.”
The Lady Monarchs are a young team with only three returning seniors and four returning letter winners.
Veterans who have played high school lacrosse include Emma Swart and Chloe Baschnagel, along with seniors Emma Boger, Stella Moser and Ellie Conrad.
“A total of 26 of the 35 girls have not played high school lacrosse,” said Merrick. “Of that number, 24 are freshman and sophomores.”
The coach said the Lady Monarchs consist of a group of “coachable young ladies.
“They are not afraid to compete,” said Merrick. “Those who are not in other sports have been committed to voluntary practices and learning the game all year long and our success will be from their commitment to the program and to their teammates.”
Merrick said the game of girls lacrosse has had some major changes as well since the Lady Monarchs last played in 2019.
There is now free movement instead of the stop-and-go game of the past. It is more like soccer and boys lacrosse.
“The athletes are picking up the game well, but experience is the key,” said Merrick. “I realize we will not win every game and the limited numbers with experience is a hurdle that will take several weeks to minimize.
“However, the leadership from the seniors will have us competing in every game,” he said. “The girls are playing as a team and there no quit to them.”