Warriors, Top National Teams Brave Cold in Girls Lacrosse Jamboree

Despite temperatures dipping below 30 degrees on Saturday morning, seven of the top National High School Girls Lacrosse teams joined the Wilton High School Girls Lacrosse team for the third annual "Lax Play Day Event."

Wilton was a state semi-finalist last year and ranked 89th in the country.  The other seven teams nationally ranked last year included neighboring 114th-ranked New Canaan, 14th-ranked Garden City, NY which won the New York State Class B title, eighth-ranked Moorestown,  NJ which won its tenth straight New Jersey state title,  117th-ranked Fayetteville-Manlius, NY, 49th-ranked Longmeadow, MA, as well as newcomer and third-ranked West Genesee, NY and Christian Brothers Academy in Syracuse, NY.

Wilton held its own against some higher-ranked opponents. The Warriors unofficially lost to Moorestown in thir first scrimmage, tied West Genesee in their second scrimmage and lost to Longmeadow, despite a strong first half. No official scores were kept because of varsity high school rules, which require that games become part of teams' official records if a score is tallied.

According to co-coaches  Cindy Wiseman and Ciara Thurlow, Wilton was still going through tryouts.  The coaches were often purposely playing students  in new positions to see how they would react and adjust.  As a result some of Wilton's play was ragged. 

But as the day wore on the Warriors, who just started practicing a week ago, began playing better.  A lot of questions were being asked on the sidelines and a lot of suggestions and adjustments were being given by both coaches and players. 

Both coaches believe Wilton's talent level is very high. Incorporating new players into this year's team and getting teammates to communicate consistently may take a few more practices, but all in all the coaches seemed happy with the team's progress.

Against Longmeadow in the last scrimmage of the day Wilton's Laura Johnson (#17) scored the first goal.  Wilton also showed the ability to play strong team defense in the first half.  Early on Wilton goalie Maddie Kratz (#11) made some great saves to keep Longmeadow High School off the board and the team rallied around her, clearing out the front of the net quickly.  Then the coaches started experimenting again with players in different positions and Longmeadow's experience and the long, cold day seemed to take Wilton out of its game.  

A lot is expected of this team.  Wilton's best players, including Kelly Rantz (#18), Tessa Howard (#5), Lindsey Flannagan (#3) and Johnson and Kratz will be depended on to show new team members how to accomplish their high goals and continually strong national ranking. 

Wilton's regular season begins April 7th at home against Ridgefield at 4 p.m.