Flurry of scores paves way for Mars girls lax win
ADAMS TWP — Abby Latona knows there are stiffer tests ahead for her Mars girls lacrosse team, but she is very pleased how the Planets have opened the season as defending WPIAL Class 2A champions.
Mars is unbeaten through four games, the latest triumph a 17-0 shutout of Hampton at the Mars Athletic Complex on Thursday.
“We have a small team this year, the smallest team since I’ve been here,” Latona said, “but we have nine seniors and all of them are extremely good lacrosse players.
“We have great leadership and the girls are so hungry to succeed. I like the fact that we’re playing together.”
The Planets also have a big appetite for scoring goals and feasted on the Talbots early in Thursday’s contest. Senior midfielder Mya Cote scored three times in the first quarter while McKenna Merritt and Anna McGrath both added a pair of scores as the Planets led 8-0 after just 12 minutes of play.
“We’ve scored a lot of goals so far (69 in four games),” said Merritt, who finished the game with four scores. “Get the draw, fast break it and find the open player. That’s our plan.”
Mars has allowed a combined four goals in the last three games. The defense has not been tested much, but Latona is confident the unit will rise to the occasion when needed.
“We have four seniors starting back there,” said Latona of Kaitlyn Lawless, Sophia Bucknum, Ava Day and Claire Magness. “Every day in practice, they’re going up against some of the best offensive players in the WPIAL.
“Ella Roach is our goalie. She’s a junior, returning starter and is a beast. She has a hunger to be the best.”
Roach played the first three quarters against Hampton. Lydia Tomkovicz made three saves in the fourth period before giving way to Julia Lego.
Cote totaled five goals, Tess McGrath and Lucy Balazs both scored twice while Hailey Long and Katie Blake also found the net.
Next week, the Planets will travel to Blackhawk on Monday in a rematch of last year’s district championship game, won by the Planets. On Wednesday, Mars hosts Chartiers Valley. The Colts topped the Planets for the WPIAL crown in 2022.
“I believe both teams are strong again,” Latona said. “They should be our toughest section games this season.”
Mars’ 2023 season came to an end with a state quarterfinal loss to Bishop Shanahan, a school in suburban Philadelphia.
“Teams out east have a lot of speed and we learned that last year,” said Magness, who is joining Cote, Merritt and Bucknum as team captains. “Getting back there and winning, that’s the end goal and we’ve been talking about it since last fall.”
