Three Games, Three Wins for Girls' Lacrosse

Watkins Mill girls’ lacrosse is off to an undefeated start, but is only scratching the surface of what its coach believes his players can accomplish.

After dismantling an outmatched Northwood squad 9-3 on Monday night, coach Vinnie Naylor is looking to take the next step in Wednesday night's matchup with rival Northwest, an early season barometer for the team’s lofty aspirations.

On Monday, the Wolverines’ individual skills pressed Northwood into a spate of turnovers, which defenders and midfielders swiftly transitioned into the attacking end of the field, where senior Stephanie Martinez and freshman Alexis Rusnak each netted a trio of goals.

The win moves Watkins Mill’s record to 3-0. The Lady ‘Rines scored the game’s first four goals and led 7-1 early in the second half. The hat tricks by Martinez and Rusnak were backed up by a pair of goals from senior Helena Hernandez and one from senior Kaylor Ficklin.

“Last game we had a lot of trouble transitioning down the field,” Martinez said. “Today, we had a really smooth transition. It was great seeing us go to that. It was amazing how we came from last game to this game. … We can trust each other passing down the field. …We play as a team when we do that. If you can’t trust your teammates then that won’t ever happen.”

Naylor said the team has been drilling its transitions during practice with shorter passes before working on longer ones.

“In the past, I’ve not had enough girls who could pass and catch to be able to do it,” Naylor said. “… They’re getting better at their distances and judging distances and they’re stopping the panic pass—the ‘Holy-crap, oh-my-gosh, just-chuck-it-up-in-the-air-and-hope-somebody-gets-it-because-I-don’t-want-to-get-lost-with-it’ [pass]. The confidence level is there more than it has been in the past, and across the board they pass and catch well.”

Athletic ability and refined technique have helped Watkins Mill beat Seneca Valley, Wheaton and Northwood, but Naylor wants to see his players take the next step on Wednesday and become a “team.”

The Wolverines will travel to face Northwest at 7 p.m. on Wednesday in what Naylor called a potential “breakout game.” The coach said his teams have struggled against opponents that are able to match Watkins Mill’s quickness. Facing the Jaguars will help the Wolverines gauge how much they’ve improved.

“We haven’t beaten them in years, so it will be kind of a challenge,” Naylor said. “It will be kind of an exciting thing to see how they handle that, how they handle the pressure. … What I told the girls is this is going to be a breakout game. If we play well and we struggle and we fight and we win, that may [bring us together]. … I always tell the girls, ‘I can tell when you become a team. Right now, you’re like 11 individuals running around doing stuff and we’re real close.’”

Watkins Mill 9, Northwood 3

•  Stephanie Martinez 3 goals, 1 assist
• Alexis Rusnak 3 goals
• Helena Hernandez 2 goals
• Kaylor Ficklin 1 goal