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GIRLS LACROSSE: Chambersburg's offense dominates against Mechanicsburg, 16-5


CHAMBERSBURG >> It was appropriate that on Senior Night for the Chambersburg girls lacrosse team, a senior stood out.

Abby Wilmot, who has been the backbone of the Trojans for all three years of the program's existence, put seven goals in the net Thursday night at Trojan Stadium to help her team defeat Mechanicsburg 16-5 in a Mid Penn Conference game.

The seven goals broke a school record of five that Wilmot owned with Meaghan Rhodes and gives her 25 for the season.

Trojan coach Katie Feairheller said, "In the second half of the season, Abby has been really effective with her shots; she's the one we need to go to with the ball when we need a goal. But she really doesn't want to be selfish."

Wilmot was happy that her team was able to score while using the game plan.

"We knew they were a new team, but very athletic," she said. "Once we got settled down we did pretty well at running our plays and we got some goals off those plays. That should help us tomorrow (against Northern)."

It was almost too easy in the beginning for Chambersburg (5-10, 3-7 MPC) – it soared to a 6-0 lead after only 6:10 had been played, with Wilmot bagging three of those goals, Maddy Sollenberger two and defender Madison Schmus one on a full-field jaunt after picking off a Wildcat pass.

But Mechanicsburg (0-12, 0-10 MPC), a first-year program, turned it around with three straight goals, by Emily Middlekauff, Lydia Hulshizer and Katie Harlacher, and another by Missy Fullard after Wilmot's fourth goal to make it 7-4.

"We came out strong, but then we had a lull," Feairheller said. "We turned it back a notch and let them get back into the game. We expected it to be easier because of Mechanicsburg's record, but they were a physical team."

Although they hit the pipe three times, the Wildcats scored only one more goal the rest of the way (Fullard's second), but their coach, Kirsten Zelenky – who was Chambersburg's first girls soccer coach in 1990 – was not unhappy.

"We had no subs tonight," Zelenky said. "We started out with 17 girls and we're down to 12, and we had two at home tonight sick. But even without any subs, the girls didn't stop playing."

Before the half ended, Kendyl Stewart scored on a pass from Schmus and Wilmot netted her fifth with 0:18 left for a 9-4 lead.

After the Senior Night ceremony at halftime, Chambersburg retained the momentum, with Stewart and Wilmot scoring free position goals.

Then it was time for Liza Ernst to take charge. She had been a force all over the field, but got a chance to move up and took advantage by scoring four goals.

"In the beginning we weren't running our plays that well, but we picked it up after halftime," Ernst said. "We got our heads in the game and started working on our plays. I like being able to play all over, but I like midfield the best."

Feairheller said, "Liza is so flexible, and strong wherever we put her on the field. She's confident with the ball and pressure doesn't bother her."

The Trojans have gone from one win in the program's first year, to two last year and now five in 2015, with two potentially winnable games left. And they've won two in a row for the first time.

Mechanicsburg, meanwhile, is working through its growing pains.

Zelenky said, "A lot of these girls didn't even play a sport before this, but it's nice they're getting a chance to play. It's been fun, even though I really don't know the sport, either."

Chambersburg 16 Mechanicsburg 5

Mechanicsburg41—5 Chambersburg97

Mechanicsburg, Goals — Missy Fullard 2, Emily Middlekauff, Lydia Hulshizer, Katie Harlacher.

Chambersburg, Goals — Abby Wilmot 7, Liza Ernst 4, Maddy Sollenberger 2, Kendyl Stewart 2, Madison Schmus; Assists — Schmus, Sollenberger.

Shots — Mech 16, Chbg 27; Saves — Mech 28 (Elizabeth Scott), Chbg 11 (Alyssa Boock); Draw controls — Mech 9, Chbg 14.