First lax season under belt, Generals Redmond looks to future
By Brian Questel
May 16, 2011
355
It ended all too soon for Holly Redmond.
The Wooster High girls lacrosse team saw its season end Monday (May 16) on its home turf when Mentor emerged with an 8-6 win in the opening tournament game for both teams.
The visitors made the 90-minute trip to Wooster a worthwhile one as it defeated the Generals for the second time this season, a point that didnt sit well with the first-year Redmond.
We were ranked higher and had a better record, said Redmond, whose first season at Wooster ended with a 4-10 mark. I remember how I felt the first time and I feel exactly the same. I truly believe were the better team and the more talented. We had the same problem as in the first (game) – we were not clicking well together.
We hit a point of the season you hit with every athlete and every sport, where theyre not into it as much as they should be. Half the team wanted it and half didnt, and thats tough. It left me feeling a little helpless which is the same thing I felt the first time. Thats not a good feeling.
Mentor jumped out early and led 5-4 at halftime. Junior Allison Canfield had three goals for the Generals, with Sarah Tizzano (two) and Amber Rice accounting for the other three Wooster scores.
For our seniors, for the one who really wanted it, it was hard to see them see it slip out of reach, said Redmond. It was tough to see them walk away tonight.
It was a year of transition for the Generals, who finished with a 4-10 mark overall.
It was a whole new dynamic, said Redmond. We had graduated a lot of seniors, had two new coaches and a lot of underclassmen, so we were trying to figure things out. At the beginning I asked them why they played lacrosse and got a variety of answers, but the consensus was they wanted to play as a family. I told them if they want to play as a family and be a family, the best way is to work together on the field and win. If they want to bond, they have to win or at least support each other.
We made strides together. They understand my coaching philosophy and expectations now. Our transition is better. it was hard for the girls at the beginning of the season.
The Generals are losing eight seniors and a pair of juniors who are graduating early.
Losing Sarah Tizzano is going hurt a lot and were losing our starting goalie (Emily Zimmerman) and center mid, said Redmond. Emma Fiorita was one of our top defenders.
Laurel Sheron and Tizzano will be lost out of the midfield, along with attackers Megan Chandler, Tori Massaro, Ali Espenshade and Rice. The two juniors are Katie and Kelci Swartz, who played midfield and attack, respectively.
Im optimistic about the future, said Redmond. We have a lot of young girls with a lot of potential. Were losing 10 players this year, but we have a good core. We need to work on becoming complete players. Not too many are a great defensive player, a great midfield, a great attack, a great stick player or have great intensity. We need to work on that.
