TopLaxRecruits.com, Posted 5/5/13
Staff Report
Allie Modica scored four goals and Katy Pridemore added three as Vero Beach (20-4) routed St. John’s-Bartram Trail, 17-3, Saturday night in the Florida girls’ lacrosse state championship at West Orange High School’s Raymond Screws Stadium in Winter Garden.
The Fighting Indians (20-4), ranked No. 20 by TopLaxRecruits.com, have won five of the six state championships since the Florida High School Athletic Association began recognizing the sport in 2008 (the 2009 title was officially vacated), as well as the two previous crowns before the sport was sanctioned. The win also extended their in-state win streak to 111 games.
Bartram Trail (16-7) was playing in its first state championship game.
Vero Beach dominated from the start, taking an 11-2 halftime lead as 10 different players scored.
Pridemore said her team faced a lot of pressure, as always, because of the high expectations and the streak.
“We are everyone’s state championship game,” she said. “We’ve won eight straight titles and (111) in-state Florida games in a row, so we get everybody’s best shot.”
Vero Beach sophomore goalkeeper Allison McDonough made six saves as the Bears managed just 11 shots.
Pridemore, along with her sister, sophomore Hannah, came to Vero Beach this year after transferring from Baltimore power Notre Dame Prep.
“It wasn’t that hard (to transition to Vero Beach) because the girls were so open to me and my sister coming,” said Pridemore, who along with her sister have committed to Florida. “They knew about us and were excited to play with us.
“I definitely think our team can compete with top teams in the nation. This year we had very close games with a lot of top teams.”
Bartram Trail was led by Lauren Tybor (two goals). It played without its leading point-scorer, attack Caroline Beggs, who was injured in the 14-13 state semifinal win over Timber Creek.