For four years, Michaela Fritz and her classmates had to stare at the empty slots on the big board in the University School of Milwaukee’s (USM) gymnasium. One of the top girls lacrosse programs in Wisconsin still had not earned Classic 8 – Red conference title in the otherwise decorated program’s history.
After Wednesday night, however, it’s time to order that “2019” placard.
USM earned its first conference championship with a 9-5 victory over Whitefish Bay/Nicolet/Shorewood (WNS) in the CoolStick Girls High School Game of the Week.
“It’s very exciting, especially coming out with a conference title as a senior,” Fritz said. “It is very good not having that blank board in our gym anymore, too.”
USM (11-1) had a battle on their hands as WNS (11-1) gave the Wildcats all they could handle in the first half. USM scored the first three goals of the game, a span that saw freshman Grace Tuttle score two of her team-high four goals. Freshman Molly Janssen also scored during the run to give USM a 3-0 lead early in the first half.
The Wolfpack responded with a three-goal run of their own. Junior Lauren Flemma scored two of her three goals in this stretch.
The squads traded goals in the latter half of the period until Janssen put away her second of three goals with just 2 seconds left in the first. USM entered halftime with a 5-4 lead.
The second half was all Wildcats. The defense found its way by executing its zone coverage, and freshman goalie Dara Omoloja made save after save to hold WSN to just one second-half goal.
“They have some really talented attackers on WNS that have been playing on varsity a long time,” USM coach Sam Adey said. “Dara just came up so huge today with some big saves. When they scored in a couple free positions, she didn’t let that get to her. For a freshman, she is incredibly composed.”
Before the game, the squads honored Angie Kensinger Webb – better known as “Coach K” – the sister of Eliza Webb, who founded the WNS program. Coach K and her husband passed away in 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 before the opening draw.
“We know it’s fun to be competitive, but this was a reminder that there is always something greater to play for,” WNS coach Megan Bianco said.
USM wraps up its regular season next week with nonconference games against Middleton and Waukesha. WNS concludes its season against Arrowhead on Monday.
Every week, WisconsinLacrosse.com will highlight a select girls lacrosse game in Wisconsin. Made possible by a donation from CoolStick.
