Troy Girls Lacrosse Shuts Out Harrison in Playoff Opener

TROY - Troy’s offense was too much to handle for the North Harrison (Farmington United) girls lacrosse team on Wednesday in the opening round of the Division 1 regionals.

Neither of Harrison’s goalies could handle an onslaught of shots on goal from the Colts, who just kept coming in a 14-0 win that sets up a playoff rematch from last year against Marian in the regional semifinals on May 30.

“We played a good, settled offense today, which was the goal. I was happy with that,” Troy coach Allison Atchoo said. “We didn’t run a lot of plays, but we were a cohesive offense."

Troy junior Haley Burns started her team off on the right foot with a goal shortly after the opening faceoff. She grabbed the ball and charged up the field, scoring in the first 25 seconds to put Troy up 1-0.

Harrison goalie Catherine Washington did her best to keep the game close in the first half. She blocked a half dozen point black shots in the first eight minutes before the Colts broke through after a minor foul set up a goal from Nicole Pollina.

She had free position and scored on a direct shot to put the Colts up 2-0 at the 17-minute mark.

Over the next five minutes, Pollina gave her team a big 5-0 cushion. She assisted Kristine Barlow on a goal and then scored twice more herself.

Troy (13-7) forced a running clock in the final 30 seconds of the half on a fluky goal to go up 10-0.

Theresa Burcz tried to get off a shot, but dropped the ball right in front of Harrison’s net. The ball was loose on the ground and a Harrison player knocked it with her stick. Washington couldn’t coral it before it rolled past the goal line.

In the second half, Burns scored back-to-back goals in less than 60 seconds to give her four on the night.

The Colts slowed the game down considerably and in the final five minutes coach Allison Atchoo had her team hold the ball just to run time off the clock.

Her team now turns its attention to a familiar foe Marian. Troy will try to avenge a 16-5 loss in the opening round of the playoffs last year when it takes the Mustangs on next week.

The No. 4 ranked team in the state looked sharp in its opening round game winning 31-1 over West Bloomfield. Earlier in the year, Atchoo’s team played Marian much closer than it did last year, losing 7-5.

“I think our defense is what we are really going to need to keen in on,” Atchoo said. “I think if we really pressure hard in the midfield and get them tired hard, it’s going to be hard for them. We played them and held them to seven goals earlier in the year, that was a good start.”

She believes her team can be world-beaters next Wednesday.

“We’re excited,” Atchoo said. “I think we want it more this year. We are tired of losing to Marian and I think we are going to come with more heart.”