Riverview Rams vs. Lakewood Ranch Mustangs

Recap

Welcome to the 2018 Lacrosse Season! Lakewood Ranch Mustangs hosted Riverview Rams and let’s hear it for the spirit that the Mustangs showed through the entire duration of the game. From the opening handshakes to the final whistle, the Mustangs demonstrated what it means to host a home game with class. Good Luck Mustangs as you continue through the season!

Lady Rams continued this season right where they left off last year… it almost felt like the season continued without a moment of time off. There were a lot returning players on the field this year, some playing new positions and some maximizing on their previous experience. The new players to the team stepped right up to the challenge and the team grooved right into their first victory of the season.

The Lady Rams wasted very little time firing off what would become a repeat revolver of a starting pistol. Thirty seconds into the game, Ronni McCurdy unleashed a warning shot of things to come. Ultimately leading the team in goals scored on the day, McCurdy tallied 5 goals to go along with her 4 assists as she shared the spotlight with Lauren Brown who posted 3 goals in today’s victory! Also scoring were Eden Byholm with 2 goals and Melanie Green, Amy Dunn, Lily Dougherty, Riley Springer, Allison McHenry, Chloe Keegan, Marissa Souchak and (if you’ll allow me to pause and catch my breath)… last year’s Goalie, Halie Birmingham moved across the field to play attack and scored the final of 18 goals!

We are all aware that these goals do not come simply by winning the draw, but it certainly helps when Gabriella Connelly can pop the draw into her teammates possession as successfully as she did. Ground ball recovery also showed up in the numbers tonight. Riley Springler, Ronni McCurdy, Gabriella Connelly, Marisa Souchak and Eden Byholm each recovered three ground balls… that’s some serious  time of  possession on the clock! It’s no wonder the defense found some time to prepare for the Mustangs who routed continuously during the second half, showing spirit that the scoreboard did not reflect.

The Mustangs have spirit and they will be back to take another run at the Rams on April 9th. Until then the girls can move forward this week enjoying their encouraging performance during their opening game.

Friday night The Rams face off against The Out of Door Academy, a team who has proven to be relentless in their dominance of the game. Good Luck Lady Rams and Congratulations on your opening performance!

C. Kulak – Recap Contributor