The Blythewood High School girls’ lacrosse team (8-2) won two of three games last week. On March 12, the Lady Bengals were saddled with the challenge of taking on the Lady Yellow Jackets of Fort Mill (5-2), the defending state champs. Blythewood was looking to avenge a 13-7 loss to Fort Mill in the second round of the state playoffs last year, but ran into a buzz saw, taking a 19-3 loss.
The loss broke a five-game winning streak for the Lady Bengals. The Fort Mill defense suffocated Blythewood by winning the ground ball battle 37-13 and holding the Lady Bengals to just 10 shots on goal compared to 33 for Fort Mill. The Lady Yellow Jackets jumped out to a 14-2 lead by halftime and were anchored by six goals on 10 shots by Claire Frase. For Blythewood, their three goals were spread out by Brittany Thurston, Peyton Wiseman and Courtney Hance.
Despite that loss, the Lady Bengals bounced back against the Lady Vikings (6-2) of Spring Valley on March 14 with a 12-7 victory. The win avenged a 12-11 loss to Spring Valley (at the time, Blythewood’s only loss of the season) back on Feb. 26. Blythewood split their 12 goals evenly with six in each half and peppered the net with 24 total shots on goal. Spring Valley was held to just 11 shots and allowed Blythewood to win 29 ground balls. Hance led the offensive attack for the Lady Bengals with four goals on eight shots and Thurston chipped in three goals of her own on five shots.
Blythewood continued their winning ways Monday with a decisive 23-2 win over the Lady Cavaliers of Richland Northeast (0-7). The victory completed the season sweep of Richland Northeast and in the two contests Blythewood outscored the Lady Cavaliers 40-4.
The Lady Bengals defense was stiff, allowing just three shots on goal and forcing seven takeaways. Blythewood’s sophomore goalie, Taylor Harden, pitched a shutout for 40 minutes. Blythewood’s offensive onslaught was led by Hance’s six goals and freshman Rachel Koerwer added four goals on nine shots. Thurston, Wiseman and Elizabeth Litchford each scored three apiece.
The Lady Bengals have just two games remaining and will close out the regular season with back to back road games. On Monday, Blythewood will face Irmo (1-7). The Lady Bengals defeated Irmo earlier this season 19-0 on March 8. Blythewood outshot Irmo 44-1 in that game and were led in scoring by Thurston and Hance each netting eight goals.
The Lady Bengals will play in their regular season finale against the Lady Blazers (3-4) of Ridge View on March 28. Blythewood will go for the season sweep of their region rivals after an 18-5 victory over Ridge View back on March 11.
