Lacey at St. Rose

In a non divisional matchup, Lacey (6-2-1) defeated St. Rose (4-4) 6-2 in a lopsided game. Lacey, who started off the season slow has been rolling, winning five straight and going 6-0-1 since dropping their first two games. 

"It was disappointing in the beginning because I really wanted to win this division," senior Beth Stephens said of Lacey's slow start. "We played two really tough teams right out of the gate, but we picked our heads up and  really came out against Donovan so we are motivited now to keep this streak going."

Lacey applied the pressure early and was able to score seven minutes in when senior Beth Stephens, who scored two goals and had an assist, was able to walk a ball into the net after getting a pass from sophomore Natalie McGovern. One minute later sophomore Reece Paget scored on a blast off a pass from McGovern. 

"They have great vision, Reece can pick you up and she doesn't have to be looking at you and she will find you if you're open," Lacey Coach Jack Mahar said. "Beth has become so much more dangerous since we talked about checking back to the ball and Nat just finds a way to always get her foot on the ball and puts her body in such a great position."

Lacey added a goal 16 minutes in off a free kick by junior Marley Besser from 25 yards out to put the Lions up 3-0 at halftime. St. Rose was able to get some composure back and created a couple of scoring chances. Sophomore Molly Cullen made a great pass to senior Adrianna Dalia, but freshman goalie Ava Schmidt was able to make the save.  The combination of Dalia and sophomore Ava Gialanella created several chances for the Roses throughout the game, but they were unable to finish with some good saves by Schmidt.

"I trust her completely," Stephens said about Schmidt. "She has lived up to what we expected out of her. I love Lorynn, (Leporino last years started and currently injured) and she was amazing last year so I was a little nervous when she got hurt at first, but as soon as Ava stepped out there she has been doing very well."

The second half, Lacey came out and scored in the 45th minute when Stephens scored her second goal from 25 yards out. St. Rose controlled the next 10 minutes of the game until an own goal at the 57th minute to make it 5-0.  They then added their sixth goal when McGovern was on the receiving end of a pass from Stephens. 

The Roses were able to get two goals late in the game, Dalia sneaked one by Schmidt and then Gialanella hit the crossbar and it bounced into the net to make the final score 6-2.

Player of Game :  Lacey - Beth Stephens She finished with 2 goals and 1 assist. Created several chances for her team throughout the game.