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

Sydney Murphy says the Vero Beach girls’ lacrosse team has one goal every year: winning a state championship.

“Being a state champion is what Vero lives for,” said junior defender Sydney Murphy. “Every year, the championship is a whole different one.

“The fact that we have consecutively won nine championships means so much because we are not only working for the trophy for the team this year, but for the teams who put in the effort in the years past.”

On Sunday the Fighting Indians (21-3) defeated Ponte Vedra, 13-6, at IMG Academy in Bradenton for their ninth straight state title and 128th in-state win.

Katy Pridemore led a balanced attack with three goals and two assists while Olivia Blakeman, Abby Shields and Hannah Pridemore each had two goals and an assist for Vero Beach. But the key was the goaltending of Allison McDonough (15 saves) and a defense that featured Olivia Blakeman, Murphy, Emily Long, Logan Eisinger, and Ashley MacIntyre.

Ponte Vedra had several early leads, but the Vero Beach defense took control and helped the Indians take a 6-3 halftime lead.

“We were definitely pushed to our limits throughout,” said midfielder Zan Biedenharn.
“Emotions were very high for everyone so we were all ready to play, especially after being trapped in the hotel for the weekend (rain postponed the semis for a day), it was good to see the sun too!

“Winning today was awesome for all of us and I can’t wait to try for the state title again for the last time next year!

Long, a senior co-captain, said Vero welcomed the challenge.

“Ponte Vedra came out strong and willing to give a fight, but we just had to go back to the basics and play our game,” she said. “Being a state champion is truly such an honor. Very rarely in life are you able to accomplish something as highly respected and unique as this.

“Carrying on a tradition as incredible as this is such an honor and I am so blessed to be a part of a team as hard working and talented as this.”

Midfielder Hannah Palau agreed:

“(Ponte Vedra) was a very good team that really wanted to beat us,” she said. “They came out strong and on fire, and gave us a run for the money.

“It’s a blessing to be part of a team that has had the opportunity to go to the state finals nine times in a row. After all the hard work we put in during season it’s such a nice way to finish it off. “