Senior versatile for Raider girls’ lax
By Justin Feil, Assistant Sports Editor
Bridget Stinson came into her final season expecting a lot from The Hun School girls’ lacrosse team.
”Even though it was pretty much the same team we had last year, we’ve all grown up and gotten stronger,” said the Hun senior. “I think this is definitely the best year we’re having.
”I thought we’d be pretty strong. I knew Mr. (Jonathan) Stone would be a good addition to the team. Last year, we had these same girls, but we still needed tweaking on our defense. I think our defense has gotten a lot better this year. And that was just one of our weaknesses last year. Since we’ve improved on that, it’s helped and our offense has gotten better too.”
Both ends were at their best in the first half of a 14-5 win over Mercersburg Academy on Saturday. Mercersburg was 8-2 coming into the contest. Six different players accounted for the Raiders’ first eight goals, and by halftime, the defense and goalie Valencia Washington had helped stake the Raiders to a 10-0 lead. Eight total Hun players scored in the win.
”We’re very diverse on the field,” said Stinson, who had a goal and assist. “It’s not one player at all. We all can score. No one is selfish. Everyone dishes it out. It’s a good thing to have.
”I think it’s really valuable. Now when we come to play a team, they can’t target one girl and shut one girl down because then we have five or six other girls that can score. It’s almost impossible to key on one person and stop them.”
Against Mercersburg, Suzanne Arnold and Addie Godfrey had four goals apiece. Melissa Marino had a goal and two assists. Eight players also had assists.
”Most games, we have at least six people score, and sometimes more,” said Stone, whose team improved to 6-3. “We have tremendous balance. We have a lot of girls that can score; a lot of girls that can pass. It’s pretty fun.
”We did a great job of riding and getting the ball back and creating scoring opportunities for us. We possessed the ball the majority of the time which is always huge. The more you have the ball in this game, the more opportunities you get.”
The Raiders are hoping to give its balanced attack more opportunities in the Prep A state tournament, which began Monday with a scheduled game against Lawrenceville. The winner Monday likely faces unbeaten Peddie in the state semifinals. Hun lost to Peddie, 10-9, Thursday.
”I think every loss we’ve had, we’d love to play that team again,” Stone said. “Peddie being the most recent one, we’d love another shot at them.”
It would give the Raiders a chance at something that Stinson has been striving for over the past four seasons.
”I was hoping to win states, as I always was,” Stinson said. “I feel like all the games we’ve played this year have been really close, really tight. It’s been unexpected, but it’s good to play all this good competition.”
Hun has lost twice by a goal, but has also won a one-goal game and pulled away in the fourth quarter twice in games.
”Mr. Stone, he emphasizes a lot the little things and the little things can win or lose a game,” Stinson said. “They always come down to getting one ground ball and then a pass or a great shot. Sometimes it doesn’t work in our favor, but I think this year, everyone wants to win so bad. Everyone is dying to win. I remember our first game, everyone was so excited to win with 30 seconds left. Our attitudes this year have changed and everyone wants it so bad.”
Stinson has the added motivation of juggling a tough choice of whether to row at Georgetown or play lacrosse at Villanova next year in college. She could be facing the final games of her scholastic career, and the Raiders aren’t looking forward to her departure.
”She has so much versatility,” Stone said. “You talk about being in the midfield, having to play offense and defense, being able to score, being able to clear the ball and use her athleticism, and she’s tremendous for us. She can just control the field in the middle.”
Stinson, who also played soccer and basketball for Hun this year, is comfortable in her role in the midfield. This year, she has some added leadership duties as one of four seniors who returned from last year’s team that went 7-6.
”I feel like the team unity is really good and everyone is working for each other,” Stinson said. “No one is selfish. No one wants to score five goals. They want to spread it out and they want to see everyone else do well.”
Bridget Stinson had hoped for a big finish to her scholastic career. The Raiders have laid the groundwork with a balanced bunch that has some fought for some narrow wins and been right there in some tight losses.
”We’ve got some toughness and competitiveness on this team,” Stone said. “We’ve got some good leadership and there is a lot of experience. We have a lot of girls who have been playing for Hun for a long time. Their experience is showing through.
”I think we’re in a pretty good position,” he added. “We’ve played some pretty tough games and won some and lost some. We’re pretty well tested. We’re ready to take it to the next level and see what happens.”