The HRV girls lacrosse team’s six-game win streak came to an end Friday in Portland when the Eagles ran up against one of the best teams in the state, league opponent Oregon Episcopal School, and fell 13-11 to the Aardvarks.
The Eagles (7-4) had dispatched their last six opponents by double-digit margins, giving many HRV players the opportunity to score over the past few weeks. On Friday, though, only HRV’s most potent offensive weapons — frosh Katie Koenig and sophomore Abby Bartles — were able to do damage to the Aardvarks (7-2), with Koenig scoring six and Bartles scoring four and adding an assist. The only other HRV player able to get to the net was Emma Norris, who had a goal and an assist.
However, Head Coach Andrew McElderry said that the stats didn’t reflect the team effort given against the Aardvarks, who have beaten up on HRV for years. He called it the best finish HRV has had against OES, to his recollection.
“While we didn’t win the game, this team took it to OES 150 percent. OES was visibly shaken and their coach very upset that we did so well against them,” he noted. “We, on the other hand, were all smiles and high fives. We (were) really having fun! OES is No. 2 in the state, No. 1 in our league. The outcome for the Eagles was very satisfying.”
OES found the back of HRV’s net just 11 seconds in, but HRV responded with two goals to go up 2-1 within the first five minutes. After trading goals, the Eagles were tied at the half, but saw that slip away after the Aardvarks went on a 6-1 run to start the second. McElderry said the girls “never gave up,” and fired back with three goals, one of which was in the final minute of the game, “but in the end, it wasn’t enough.”
Outside of scoring, Koenig and Josie Petersen led the team with three ground balls apiece, Terra Mikkelsen and Riley Bauer had a team-high two caused turnovers, while Blair Holman was tops in the circle, winning four draw controls. Ella Rand, who McElderry said always “steps up to a higher level against the tough teams,” faced 23 shots in 50 minutes and made 10 saves (44 percent).
The girls hosted league opponent Cleveland (1-9) Tuesday evening (results unavailable at press time) and will play Summit (9-3) at 7 p.m. at the high school. Then, the Eagles will play Tualatin (11-1) on Friday at 6:15 p.m. at Westside.
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