Stamper closes superb lacrosse career at Mars
ADAMS TWP — Over the last three seasons, the Mars girls lacrosse team set a high standard for the future of the program. Charlotte Stamper was right in the middle of that success.
A midfielder, Stamper recently closed her high school career with over 200 goals, helping the Planets reach the WPIAL Class 2A championship game three straight years and earning two district titles (2021, 2023).
Her scoring milestone is even more impressive when the fact that she lost her freshman season to the COVID shutdown is considered.
"This is a huge accomplishment for Charlotte," said Mars coach Abby Latona. "She is one of the most hard-working players I've seen. She has a drive and determination to get to the net and has a very high lacrosse IQ, knows where she needs to be at all times."
Aside from the impressive statistics she put up, which included 72 goals, 27 assists and 68 draw controls this season, Stamper relished being one piece of the puzzle for the Planets.
"I love my team," she exclaimed. "I scored a lot of goals, but one of my favorite things to do was assisting my teammates and seeing them succeed."
Stamper will take her work ethic and talent to the collegiate level. She is committed to play at Duquesne University.
"I may play on attack in college and have worked a lot on my shot," she said. "I'm working with a trainer to build more muscle and need to be able to hang with college players."
Disappointed over not being able to play her freshman year, Stamper did not sulk. Rather, she worked on her game to ensure that once play resumed, she would be a major contributor on the field.
"I was outside every day, tried to get to the field as much as I could to work on my shooting," said Stamper, who saw her efforts pay off with over 70 goals scored her sophomore season, after which she was named the Planets’ Offensive MVP and a WPIAL all-star for the first of three consecutive years.
Stamper credits Latona, who just wrapped up her second season of leading the Planets, with supporting an environment that promotes unity and ultimately, fosters success. Mars finished the 2023 season with an overall record of 21-2.
“Practices were more intense and she helped improve team-bonding,” Stamper said. “I could see it with the way we came together this year. She was really able to rally the team.”
“We’re trying to build a Mars lacrosse family,” Latona said. “We want the players to have a championship mindset and that starts off the field. We want them to have each other’s back through both wins and losses.”
Latona said Stamper embraced all of those ideals.
“Charlotte is passionate about lacrosse and the team,” she said. “If a player had her head down during a game, she would encourage them and build them up. She is a leader.”
