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Chambersburg girls lacrosse team gets a fresh start


The Chambersburg girls lacrosse program is like a classroom this spring.

The coach is new, so the system is new, and many of the 40-plus players on the team are new. So there is plenty of teaching and learning going on in preparation for the season, which begins Monday with a home game at 7 p.m. against Carlisle.

"The girls have been hit with a lot of new plays and techniques, but they've been doing great," first-year coach Jamie Odell said. "The goal for the whole team is to work as a team, keep learning and keep absorbing the information."

Odell has appreciated the attitude so far.

"The team has had a very positive outlook," she said. "With a different coach and not knowing what to expect, it wasn't easy, especially for the seniors. But they've been positive from day one."

The Trojans, now in their fifth season of girls lacrosse, welcome back only four starters after three other underclass starters from a year ago chose not to come out this spring.

Hannah Raines scored 27 goals a year ago, Avery Rife had 19 and Cameron Stouffer added 10, so there is some scoring prowess available.

However, Odell said goalie Micaela Champion - the other returning starter - is the only player locked into a position at this point.

"I'd like to have them all play every position, or at least try it," Odell said, "and it might help their overall game."

Also fighting for starting spots are Barrett Cross, Rachel Dusman, Courtney Kirby, Ciara Little, Mackenzie Miller, Beatrice Schellhase and Kaylin Shearer, while Ashlyn Bothe, Payton Guyer, Courtney Hanan, Hannah Spangler and Brooke Stevens will be looking to find playing time.

Of that group of 16 players, Rife and Little are the only seniors. There are eight juniors, four sophomores and two freshmen.

In other words, it's a young team.

Odell said, "I think it's better coming into a school that hasn't had lacrosse that long, because we can break the bad habits early. I think the girls have been catching on pretty fast. We do need to work on awareness and positioning during the game, and moving the ball more by passing.

"We've been working on skills and finding a player who is open, and a lot of team work. I'd say the confidence level has grown a lot in the last two weeks."

Trojans at a glance

Coach: Jamie Odell, first year.

Last year: 3-13 (2-9 Mid Penn Conference).

Returning starters: Avery Rife (sr., 19 goals, 2 assists); Hannah Raines (jr., 27 goals, 3 assists); Cameron Stouffer (jr., 10 goals, 2 assists); Micaela Champion (jr., goalie).

Other top players: Rachel Dusman (jr., 1 goal); Barrett Cross (jr.); Courtney Kirby (so.); Ciara Little (sr.); Mackenzie Miller (jr.); Beatrice Schellhase (jr.); Kaylin Shearer (jr.); Ashlyn Bothe (fr.); Payton Guyer (so.); Courtney Hanan (so.); Hannah Spangler (fr.); Brooke Stevens (so.).

Season opener: Monday, at home vs. Carlisle, 7.