LOCAL SPORTS: Yellowjackets Lose First Section Game

 

by Jonathan Weaver

Despite two recent victories, the Freeport Lady Yellowjackets’ girls lacrosse team lost their first section game to Winchester Thurston yesterday evening.

The Yellowjackets – made up of seven Armstrong Junior High students in the cooperative team – lost 18-15 at James E. Swartz Memorial Field.

Head Coach Bob Conklin still praised his new team – who received goals from Chrissy Conklin, Cameron Lindsay, Olivia Gasperic, Hannah Bowman, Hannah Stokes and Mayce Wonderling.

Kaely Lentz also topped the team in assists.

“But, it was a very well-played game – the girls did a pretty good job. They stayed in it,” Coach Bob Conklin said. “Three points in lacrosse is a very close game.”

Defensive Player Bailie Henry did have to leave the game after taking a shot to the head, causing a dangerous propelling penalty.

“We haven’t heard yet – hopefully she’s OK,” Coach Conklin said. “We were already down by a few players away doing other things, so that was kind-of a turning point there, but the rest of the girls hung in there and we almost pulled it out.

“The rest of the girls there picked it up and gave 110 percent. It just didn’t quite work out for us.”

Coach Conklin said Freeport played Winchester-Thurston last season and were trounced 17-4.

“(Winchester Thurston) saw a different team this year,” Coach Conklin said.

Winchester Thurston – a private prep school in Pittsburgh – will host Freeport later this season.

Chrissy was also the goalie for the first half of the game, splitting time with Senior Morgan Ruppersberger.

Freeport won versus Greensburg Salem during a scrimmage Tuesday 12-11. Conklin, Lindsay and Bowman also scored in that game.

Freeport continues Section II play next week versus Butler.