By Chris Goldberg
TopLaxRecruits.com, Posted 5/10/14

Aly Smith made an amazing 30 saves and Katarina Johnston had four goals and an assist as Pinnacle defeated Horizon, 11-8, Friday to lift the Pioneers to their third straight Arizona Girls Lacrosse Association state title at Grand Canyon College in Phoenix.

Pinnacle, which has won four of the last six state crowns, won just seven of 23 draws. But Smith, a junior committed to Lindenwood, was masterful and helped the Pioneers (14-1) seize a 7-2 halftime lead that they never relinquished.

“Aly played so amazing,” said Johnston. “The girls on the other team were totally stunned!

“Aly’s saves definitely played a huge role in our confidence and trust as a team, and that’s important for any game, especially a high stakes game like last night!”

Hannah Kolesar added three goals and Madison Wood contributed two goals and three assists for Pinnacle. Ronni Winter scored twice and Nicole Cosmany added four draw controls and two assists.

Then there was Smith…

“My defense worked hard last night and they always have when it has mattered,” Smith said. “I have worked hard to get where I am and I was really happy with how I played last night!”

How does it feel to win three state titles?

“It has been such a blessing,” said Johnston. “I’d say we are just incredibly lucky but it is more than that, we have all worked extremely hard this year and the past years.

“Having a third state win under my belt is an amazing feeling,” added Smith. “It shows how hard my team and I have worked to get this far. All the hard work has paid off.”

Why has Pinnacle been so successful over the past few years?

“Hard work and teamwork,” said Johnston. “We did not get along 100% of the time, but we had each other’s backs in the end. Before the game we made a little promise to each other that we would give this game our all, and we did just that. Oh! Also sprint laps, we did a TON of sprint laps!”

Said Smith: “We worked on and off the field. We worked hard at practice. We just connected on the field.”

Maddie Beeler led Horizon (11-5) with give goals and an assist, while Syd Duke was a force on the draws. Last year Horizon fell to Pinnacle, 9-3, in the state semis.

“I am extremely proud of my team’s performance and while we controlled the ball most of the game, we just couldn’t get past Aly,” said Horizon coach Shannon Whitehead. “She had the game of her life and it was the most incredible performance I have ever seen by a keeper in my 16 years of lacrosse.”

Pinnacle 11, Horizon 8

Pinnacle 7-4- 11
Horizon 2-6- 8

Pinnacle
Katarina Johnston 4g, 1a
Hannah Kolesar 3g
Madison Wood 2g, 3a
Ronni Winter 2g
Nicole Cosmany 2a, 4DC

Horizon
Maddie Beeler 5g 1a
Celine Sanchez 2g
Grace Barker 1g
Sydney Duke 1a
Tori Hawk 6 saves