Potential, the word of the day, as Indians open season with a win

Unionville scored 15 goals en rout to a non league win over Phoenixville 

By Dave Conard Sports Editor, UnionvilleTimes.com

EAST MARLBOROUGH — Potential.

It’s a word that get over used when describing athletes and teams all of the time, but if there is one word that describes the upcoming Unionville girl’s lacrosse, it is exactly that ; potential.

It’s been a busy year thus far for Unionville senior Annabeth Donovan, after all the Indians made state playoffs in field hockey, claiming the runner up honors in the district.

Fresh off the heels of she and her Unionville teammates celebrating their third consecutive Flyers Cup championship, Donovan is at again as the Indians take to the turf in what promises to be one of the best lacrosse seasons in recent memory.

Donovan posted four goals in a 15-8 non league win over Phoenixville as her fist half hat trick help the host get out to a 7-3 edge at halftime.

Led defensively by the senior duo of Marissa Yarosh and Brett Perkins, the Indians (1-0) throttled the Phantoms offense, led by 2011 All-Pac10 attacker Marlee Farbstein, allowing Unionville the opportunity to score in transition through out the entire contest.

Seniors Kris Abens (4 goals, assist), Rachel Hughes (2 goals), Taylor Hollander (goal, 2 assists) and midfielder Kelly Close (3 assists) led the way fro the Indians as they fought a feisty Phantoms group that qualified for the district playoffs a year ago.

“We want to play up to our potential,” said senior attacker Kris Abens. “We know what we are capable of and have set high expectations of our selves. We need to make sure we bring it every game, we have had a very successful year as a school and we want to keep it going by making the playoffs.”

Junior net minder Nikki Bonaduce was solid in goal as she made several key saves when Phoenixville looked a though they we going to make a run as Bonaduce recorded 11 stops for the game.

“I thought we did a good job overall today,” said Indians head coach Wendy Landry. “I was concerned that we allowed them dictate the play for a bit, we took better care of the ball in second half, but we still have some things to tighten up, As a coach I am very excited to start a season with a lot of returning players that not only have experience, but also remember what it is like to not make the playoffs last season.”

In an 18 minute span of playing time which encompassed the 19:52 mark of the first half, up until 17:20 left in the second half, Unionville scored eight of nine goals to assume control of the tilt as the Phantoms (1-1) were forced into seven turnovers in that span.

“I am really looking forward to this season,” said senior defender Marissa Yarosh. “We have excellent communication as a team, which should help us play up to our potential, have some very talented players, but we have to play to the best of our abilities every time we take the field. Today is a pretty good test to start the season, they had some very good players and made the playoffs last season”

There’s that word again, Potential.

Coach Landry, in her sixth year as the varsity coach, had a simple formula when asked what the one thing her squad needed to do to be successful this season was.

“We need to play our game, we have a specific style and plays that we have to execute,” added Landry. “We absolutely have to play “Unionville lacrosse” to be successful and play up to the potential that we have. The sky is the limit if we meet our own expectations.”

For photos from the game or any Unionville sports click on the following link-  http://drcphoto.photostockplus.com/

 

Phoenixville            3            5            -8

Unionville            7            8            -15

 

Indians scoring

Abelns 4 g, 1 a

Donovan 4 g

Hughes 2 g

Carlow 2g

Hollander 1g, 2 a

Sutton goal

Garvey goal

Fieles  3 a

Close  3 a

 

Goalie saves Bonaduce 11

 

Phantoms scoring

Farbstein 4 g, 1a

Delaney 2 g

McErlean 1g, 1 a

Bullota goal

 

Bonner 12 saves