There was plenty to be excited about during this year’s girls high school lacrosse season. I was fortunate to have a sideline view for many of the top moments in Wisconsin. Here are my five favorite:
1) Beyond the Game
Lacrosse Vs. Cancer fundraiser kickoff at Arrowhead/Mukwonago game
One of the many reasons I have enjoyed covering high school lacrosse throughout Wisconsin is the community of caring individuals that can be found at every program. On April 16, the girls programs of the Classic 8 Conference drove that point home by launching the inaugural Lacrosse Vs. Cancer initiative, which raised nearly $12,000 over the course of the 2019 season to donate to Gold in September, the childhood cancer nonprofit launched by former Arrowhead lacrosse player Annie Bartosz.
Before the opening draw of the Mukwonago/Arrowhead game at Taraska Stadium, Warhawks coach Tom Truttschel named his nephew, Kevin – who has battled cancer for five years – honorary captain. At the end of the game, Mukwonago coach Shelly Schumacher and the Indians unveiled a golden lacrosse stick that now serves as a traveling trophy awarded to the team who raises the most money for cancer research.
2) Wildcats Get on the Board
University School of Milwaukee 9, WNS 5
Frankly, it was shocking to learn that with everything the USM girls lacrosse program had accomplished since it’s inception in 2009, it still had not earned a conference championship.
Coach Sam Adey and the Wildcats filled that void May 16 with a 9-5 victory over WNS. Freshman Grace Tuttle scored five goals for USM, and freshman Molly Janssen added three more for the Wildcats.
The game also was memorable as it commemorated the lacrosse legacy of Angie Kensinger Webb. Better known as “Coach K”, Angie was the sister of Eliza Webb, who founded the WNS program. Coach K and her husband passed away in a plane crash in April.
The game was named “Play for Coach K!” in honor of one of the biggest names in the Texas lacrosse community. WNS wore ladybug ribbons to represent Coach K’s favorite insect, and USM presented the Wolfpack with ladybug gifts.
3) Best Served Cold
Waukesha 5, Franklin 4 (OT)
It may have taken two years, but Waukesha finally exacted some revenge on Franklin on May 1. Lady Nighthawks sophomore Ariana Hinton put away a free-position goal in overtime — almost the exact same play the Sabers used to knock Waukesha out of the postseason a couple years ago — to earn a 5-4 overtime victory at Franklin.
As clutch as Hinton’s goal was, she wouldn’t have had the opportunity had Waukesha senior goaltender Becca McDaniel not stopped the Sabers’ barrage of shots toward the end of regulation. McDaniel finished the game with seven saves.
4) Perfect Shade of Red
Arrowhead Red 10, WNS 5
Arrowhead Red had another dominant run to their sixth straight Wisconsin Lacrosse Federation state title, which included another perfect in-state schedule and Classic 8 – Black Conference title with a 9-0 record. The Warhawks knocked off WNS, 10-5, May 20 at Whitefish Bay High School. The conference championship was Arrowhead’s 12th in 13 years, as well.
The victory was far from a sure thing, however. WNS – under the leadership of first-year coach Megan Bianco – entered halftime tied with Arrowhead at four goals apiece. The game reached a 5-5 tie with 17 minutes, 25 seconds left to play before the Warhawks defense took over, shutting out the Wolfpack the rest of the way.
5) Sixth Time’s a Charm
Arrowhead Red 11, USM 8
Six consecutive state titles means six rivers of joyous tears, six massive group hugs at the sound of the buzzer, six groups of seniors leaving behind a winning legacy.
By notching the ninth WLF championship in program history, Arrowhead Red hasn’t raised the standard for girls lacrosse in the state — it has become the standard. Whether its a group predominantly composed of freshmen or a squad stacked with experience, coach Tom Truttschel and his staff have developed a formula for success yet to be equaled in the state.
As disappointing as the loss was for USM, the future looks bright for the Wildcats, who will enter the 2020 lacrosse season as one of the favorites to dethrone the Queens of Arrowhead. They had one of the most dominant freshmen duos in the state this year in Tuttle and Janssen, and they’ll have a year of experience under their belt for next year.
