Sophomore midfielder Johnna Fusco, left, is one of many returning players Lassiter’s girls lacrosse team has, one year after it fell to Milton in the Class AAAAA state championship.
Staff file photo
Staff file photo
The Lady Trojans have been regulars in the final four since Faith Harmeyer took the reins three years ago. Last year, they took a journey upward when they made their first appearance in the championship game before falling to powerhouse Milton.
Now, as it prepares to maintain that rise, Lassiter has the benefit of having lost just one scorer - Hannah Sullivan - to graduation and the return of many of the key components from last year.
This may be the Lady Trojans' most compete team to date, and there's enough talent on the roster for them Trojans to take that final step and compete their mission. Even though Lassiter knows that Milton - which has won five of six state titles since girls lacrosse was first sanctioned by the GHSA - has had the ability to reload year after year, this could be the Lady Trojans' best shot if the teams were to meet again in the finals.
"This team, I would honestly say that it's the best team we've ever had," Harmeyer said. "We are very deep. I'm feeling very comfortable. We can probably throw in different lineups every game. We have seniors that have played together since they were freshmen."
Those seniors are expected to be instrumental to Lassiter's success, and they're spread out all over the field. Hayley Schneider and Spencer Hanson are attackers who will account for much of the scoring. Celia Bouton is back to keep the midfield intact, and defender Briana Williams and goalkeeper Allison Senft will be responsible for keeping their opponents' goal count to a minimum.
There will also be other contributors, such as sophomore defenders - and twin sisters - Molly and Mallory Zimmerman, junior attacker Ashton Thomas - who was injured all of last season - and sophomore midfielder Johnna Fusco.
The Lady Trojans will still have their work cut out for them this year, and it starts with the regular season. They still have to defend a tough Area 2AAAAA that has Walton, Etowah, North Cobb and newcomer Kennesaw Mountain.
Like Lassiter, Walton is trying to fight its way to the state finals. And, like Lassiter, Walton has a deep team.
The Lady Raiders made it to the semifinals last season before falling to Milton, and Walton has every intention of advancing to the final four - and maybe further.
While Walton did lose 87 goals from last season when Erin Cobb graduated, the Lady Raiders have plenty of scorers who can take over the mantle.
Junior midfielder Maddie Seiloff is the one producing the bulk of the goals for Walton, while sophomore midfielder Kathryn Caish has shown she could score as well. Senior midfielder Chandler Tates and senior defender Rachael Goldberg also bring experience to Walton.
With Cobb having moved on, Walton is expecting to have as many as 10 players score on a regular basis.
"This is the deepest team I've had in a long time, and our goal is to finish were we were last year and see what happens from there," Walton coach Mandy Ryan said. "Our big focus is more team play and to distribute the ball around. We'll have a different look (this season)."
Kennesaw Mountain is also an experienced team full of players not afraid to score in bunches, with seniors Jenna Dreyer and Mary Kate Minick coming to mind. Dreyer totaled 84 goals last season and Minick once had nine goals in a single game.
Another postseason regular, Harrison, led by senior goalkeeper Nikki Hannah, will miss having Kennesaw Mountain in Area 1AAAAA, but the Lady Hoyas will still have McEachern and newcomer Hillgrove on their area slate.
Kell and Pope will find themselves in different territory this season as it joins Sprayberry in Area 2AAAA-A. While Kell and Sprayberry are no strangers to making the playoffs, Pope is looking to fight its way back, and it has the potential to do with a senior-laden roster led by goaltender Lea Ponticelli.
Kell has experienced midfielders and defenders this season, led by senior Morgan Geiger, but are still experimenting at attack.
Sprayberry's goal this season is to win at least one playoff game this season after coming so close to upsetting Marist in the first round a year ago. Senior midfielders Brooke Haley and Ashley Davis are expecting to be the cornerstones for the Lady Yellow Jackets.
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If you think the Lassiter program is so bad why don't you just pull your kids from it or move? (I am assuming you have kids in the boys and girls program or why would you even be makinig a comment OR be at the games)
Dont know much about the girls coach, just what I have heard. And that is she is very passionate about the game and very supportive and protective over her players. As a parent I would welcome that with open arms.
Nothing is perfect and you clearly dont realize just how lucky you are to be part of such a successful program that promotes the game and opportunities it gives. Trust me I know, my kids and myself are in a program which is no where near as involved in promoting the sport and their players.
So maybe you should take a small step back and look at what you have before you critisize. Im sure the Lassiter program is REALLY proud to have you behind them.
1) Aggressive and rough? Lassiter got the yellow cards not Milton.
2) Coach of the Year? Our ‘Coach of the Year’ at Lassiter got a Red Card in the State Finals last year. The game was a blow out and she lost her mind and it was embarrassing.
3) You want to know something elso? Our Lassiter Boys program isn’t any better. Would you believe that our Boys Feeder Team (who was undefeated) played Blessed Trinity (who was winless) for the final game of the season before playoffs, and our Lassiter Team started a Bench Clearing Brawl against Blessed Trinity…. Really? Blessed Trinity? Parents on the field, coaches and parents suspended from subsequent games. Who gets in fights with Blessed Trinity? Our Lassiter program doesn’t know how to win or lose with class.
5) Milton, please know that some of us at Lassiter have respect for your success and we hope that OUR habits change. The kids here are great here and our biggest problem is our big mouth parents who don’t realize how these web posts hurt our program and our athletes. If we want to talk the talk, we need to first walk the walk… Good Luck in your season.
1. Milton has won 5 of 6 state Championships.
2. Since 2006 Milton has had at least 5 academic All Americans each year.
3. Milton abides by all GHSA rules.
4. Milton doesn't recruit. Milton has best feeder program in State. Each year the feeder program provides freshman players to JV and Varsity that have played organized lacrosse for 4 to 6 years.
5. Lassiter is 3rd best HS program in State behind Milton and Westminster. Lassiter coaches and players have to work harder to get to number one. Nothing will be handed to you.