On May 21, the Manchester Valley Mavericks dominate over the Glenelg Gladiators 17-9 and won the class 2A girls lacrosse state championship.
The Class 2A state girls lacrosse championship kicked off with the Gladiators winning the face and making an aggressive push.Two shots were taken by the Gladiators, both hitting the post. The Mavericks defense stood its ground and quickly started a counter, going down the field and catching the Gladiators off guard. #10 Emma Penczek, scored the opener from a penalty. Another fast goal came in for Manchester valley, winning the faceoff and finding an open lane, scored by #1 Addison Meyer.
#21 Reagan Kelleher from Glenelg wasn't afraid of the 2 goal lead the Mavericks had, quickly bouncing back and shooting a strong over the head goal onto the bottom net. Motives digested into the Gladiators’ brain, knowing they needed to tie the game quickly. #23 Kayleigh White would tie the game, scoring a fast penalty shot from the left side near the crease.
Controversy came into the scene leading to the Mavericks tying the game, with a gladiators player being injured but gameplay continued, helping the Mavericks tie the game from Meyer recording goal 2. The Gladiators would score again, from #19 Emlly Dellu Russo, but was quickly tied up from mavericks #2 Haylee Bittinger. The 1st quarter ended with a 4-4 tied competitive game.
As the 2nd quarter began, Gladiators goalie Eliza Mitchell recorded 3 saves from the rush Manchester Valley was bringing, shooting long shots. The Mavericks possessed majority of the ball in Glenelg territory, wasting more time until key passes that allowed #9 Carolyn Lowe to score from a strategic assist by # 13 Taylor Fique. Fique stayed on the scene, scoring from a penalty shot, recording 1 assist and 1 goal already in the first half, bringing the score to 6-4 benefitting Manchester Valley.
Penalties continued to fly in favor for the Mavericks, allowing Penczek to score from the penalty shot with her swiftness. #11 Ema Chappin reduced the deficit down to 2, bringing some hope for the Gladiators. Once again, Fique scored a 2nd goal from the penalty spot for the Mavericks. #1 Meyer brought more offensive domination, finding a sweet spot in the middle area of the creese and taking the shot, recording the easy goal for the Mavericks. The 1st half ended with a Manchester valley lead of 9-5.
The 2nd half began with Manchester valley almost bringing their score to 10, but the ball bouncing off of the post. Bittinger brought the score up to 10 for the mavericks, getting wide open in the middle and from a strong pass assisted by #10 Penczek. Bittinger would secure the hat trick, scoring from another open area and bringing the score to 11-5.
#21 Kelleher scored for the Gladiators, bringing some signs of life but the deficit being 6 goals. Meyer recorded goal 4 in the game, wanting to end this game with Maverick Annihilation. The 3rd quarter ended 14-7, with the Mavericks adding one more from a penalty with 0.5 seconds remaining.
The Gladiators wanted to end the game with a high note, despite the 7 goal deficit they faced going into the 4th quarter. Glenelg rushed down the field in an attempt to reduce the lead, but were stopped by goalie Josie Colender. #10 Penczek was the 3rd Maverick player to record a hat trick, bringing the lead up to 10. Clock started to run as #2 Bittinger brought the score to 17-7.
Time expired as the final score ended 17-9, with the Mavericks finishing the season with a historic record of 19-0, going undefeated and winning in full offensive fashion, dominating over the Gladiators.
