Catawba Ridge head coach Patrick Gormley said his girls’ lacrosse team is on an “uphill trajectory” heading into the final few games of the 2023 season.
The Copperheads, who improved to 6-4 overall, rolled past Parkwood High School of Monroe 16-2 on Monday evening at The Pit. Gormley’s squad earned its sixth win of the 2023 season, tying its program-best win total from last season with three games left to play before the Class 4A state tournament.
“Our core group is so dedicated when they play on their club teams, when they play here,” Gormley said. “It’s really great to see them picking up the level of their plays. We have some down times, but for the most part, we’re always on an uphill trajectory. We’re improving each game, and hopefully we can carry that into the playoffs.”
Sophomore midfielder Ember Rosowski led her team with four goals Monday evening on Senior Night, while teammate Lydia McCarter secured a hat-trick in the comfortable non-region win over the Wolf Pack.
Catawba Ridge finished the 2022 season with a 6-8 record, falling to Waccamaw High 15-14 in the state playoffs. The six wins are so far the program’s high watermark. Catawba Ridge is seeking its first playoff win in school history.
Catawba Ridge jumped out to an 11-1 lead over Parkwood by halftime, and scored seven of those goals in the opening 14 minutes.
Sophomore defender Naomi Therault opened the scoring after just three minutes before Ava Delise doubled the lead a minute later. Rosowski tallied two goals in the space of a minute, including one almost directly off the center face-off.
Paige Conroy and Delise paired up to push the lead to 7-0 by the 11-minute mark.
Junior midfielder Emilie Bedard scored Parkwood’s lone goal of the half with 10:29 left on the clock. But consecutive goals by freshman Julia McKnight, Therault, Rosowski, and McCarter pushed Catawba Ridge’s lead even higher.
With the clock running, McCarter bagged two of her goals in the space of about three minutes. Rosowski, Conroy, and freshman attacker Sophie Stepp all scored in the final 15 minutes to round out the lopsided final result.
Gormley said his team will now turn its focus to the final three games of the regular season at Greenville High Wednesday, March 29, at A.C. Flora Friday, March 31, and back at home against Eastside Thursday, April 13.
If Catawba Ridge picks up enough wins, the Copperheads could book a home playoff berth, Gormley said. Making it to the playoffs means Catawba Ridge can compete against higher-seed opponents.
“Last year, we only lost by a goal,” he said. “I hope we’re coming together at the right time.”
Three Catawba Ridge seniors, including two co-captains, were honored at Senior Night on Monday.
Defender Elly Zeanchock, goalie Emma Peleponuk, and defender Erika Fakes were all recognized before Monday’s game. Zeanchock has played for the team for all four years. Fakes has played for three years, and Peleponuk is playing in her first season. Zeanchock and Fakes are two of the team’s three co-captains.
