HRV girls lax wins inaugural Navy championship

ANDREW MCELDERRY

The No. 2 Eagles led the No. 4 Tigers for the majority of the game, with the exception of a small period in the first half when the teams were tied 1-1. Newberg never allowed HRV to have more than a two-goal lead in the first half and the Eagles went into halftime up 4-2.

Much like their semifinal matchup just two nights before against Lincoln (also held in Wilsonville), HRV moved quickly in the second half and scored two goals in less than 10 minutes to extend the team’s lead to 6-2. The two teams traded goals over the next 10 minutes, but HRV’s defense took over, preventing Newberg from scoring in the final five and a half minutes of play to give the Eagles the championship.

HRV Head Coach Andrew McElderry said the game was “very physical compared to prior contests,” but that was expected going in. He noted that despite HRV’s plan to hold the ball for longer possessions, the girls ended up having to do a fair amount of running — something the team was trying to avoid, having played less than 48 hours before.

“It was tough going into the finals with only one day of rest. A lot of our key players were feeling it, but they all rallied,” he said. “We told them if there was ever a game to go out and run the tank empty, this was the game. Our starters knew it and the coaches had confidence in our bench. Everyone saw decent field time.”

Highlighting the game for HRV was a standout performance by sophomore net-minder Ella Rand, who picked the perfect time to have her best game of the season. Rand largely shut down Newberg, stopping 15 of the Tigers’ 19 shots to record a save percentage of 79. Thanks to her efforts, Rand received the Most Valuable Player award from the OGLA as the most outstanding player in Wednesday’s game.

“There aren’t enough words of encouragement and gratitude to use to describe Ella Rand’s efforts in the cage,” McElderry said.

On offense, Abby Bartles did what she usually does, which is lead the team in scoring. She racked up four goals on six shots as well as scooped up two ground balls and forced a turnover. Other scorers included Lydia McElderry (goal, two assists), Kat McElderry (goal, assist) and Daisy Dolan (goal). Savanna Brentlinger added an assist, as did Erin Mayer, who also had a team-high six ground balls and three caused turnovers.

The varsity team will lose a number of seniors to graduation who have been instrumental in graduation, including Mayer, Brentlinger, Lydia McElderry, Ellen Hudon, Laura Scarborough, Victoria Kohner-Flanagan, and Sam Davies. Mayer and Kohner-Flanagan will be moving on to play club lacrosse at Western Washington University in Bellingham while Lydia McElderry will be doing the same at Colorado State University in Fort Collins. The team, however has many talented juniors, sophomores and freshmen currently on the varsity roster, not to mention equally talented JV and middle school programs.

“Been a tough morning as I have been reflecting on what has been an amazing season,” McElderry said Thursday. “Honestly, it’s been more than just a season, as I have had the honor and pleasure of coaching these seniors for five years. They are incredible young ladies. I thank them for their trust, their respect, and patience from the bottom of my heart.”