Seniors leave lasting legacy for Hampton girls lacrosse

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, June 8, 2018 | 12:30 AM

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At season's end, the Hampton girls lacrosse team got together for its fun practice. At commencement, the Talbots gathered around and chanted out loud: “Three peat!”

The seniors won't be around next year, and the season may have just ended. But there's a feeling at “HGL” that everyone going through the program is a part of something greater than one player, one game, or one season.

On May 25, the Talbots (18-3) became only the third girls lacrosse program in WPIAL history to win back-to-back championships, defeating Quaker Valley in a gutsy 11-9 victory at Robert Morris.

Though the team didn't achieve its goal of playing into June after a PIAA first-round loss to Kennard-Dale, its achievements should be noted.

Few in high school win championships, and a margin of that few go back-to-back. But coach Kelsey Viets' senior class that she's coached since sixth grade was special — they were her first team. Likewise, for many, Viets was their first lacrosse coach.

“It's just the realization that we were together seven years,” said Viets, who coached the middle school team for three years before moving up to varsity along with the current class of seniors. “These freshmen were 9-9 their first year, and now they can seal off their career with back-to-back WPIAL championships.

“It's remarkable to see how far they've come from those little sixth graders taking the field. I told them, it's not a trend. You're building a legacy here. It's such a cool thing to be a part of.”

Building legacies takes time, but once a dynasty starts, it's hard to stop. There's talent everywhere, and unheralded performances out of nowhere. Hampton had the best of both all season.

Against Quaker Valley in the WPIAL title game, freshman Megan Cook, a junior varsity call-up, notched a team-leading four goals to pull Hampton out of a dogfight victorious.

“That was a true gut check,” Viets said. “It was a test of our nerves, our ability to work the ball around and allowing others to step up. I told the girls if we have an off game, I don't expect us to rely on one person. … I want to see someone else step up and Megan Cook did. It was an awesome thing to watch.”

Captain Jocelyn Coholich is part of the senior class that compiled a 51-12 record its last three seasons. She expects continued success from the winning program and culture herself and the other seniors helped to cultivate.

“High school, I guess you can say it's four years,” Coholich said. “But it goes by in the blink of an eye. Stepping off that field as a senior for the last time definitely felt different, but I know the team is going to be in good hands. It's a legacy. We like to call it a dynasty.”

Devon Moore is a freelance writer.

Tags: Hampton