Shaler girls lacrosse team hopes numbers add up

By: HSSN Staff
Monday, April 2, 2018 | 1:11 AM

Keeping a strong mental attitude will be important for the Shaler girls lacrosse team.

The Titans don't have a deep roster, with 17 girls on the team and only 15 available because of injuries.

But Shaler doesn't plan on letting that drag down its season. The Titans have a reputation to protect.

Shaler, off to a 2-1 start with a 1-1 mark in Section 3-AAA, hasn't finished with a losing record since going 7-10 in 2009.

Last season, Shaler went 9-9 before bowing out in the first round of the WPIAL playoffs to Peters Township.

The Titans already have shown resiliency this season. Shaler lost 14-11 to North Allegheny on March 26 after building a 9-4 lead. That game was followed by a 6-5 win over Butler and an 8-3 nonsection win over Moon.

First-year Shaler coach Ali Nicholas is pleased with his team considering the roster size. Nicholas, a Seton LaSalle graduate, played collegiately at Seton Hill.

“I think we did really well this past week with the number of girls on our team,” Nicholas said.

Mackenzie Romac, Rylee Wilson and Ava Kozej have all showed scoring touch for Shaler. The Titans must control the pace to continue to pick up wins.

“Hard work and determination comes into it,” Nicholas said. “We are lacking in the subs area, and they need to dig down deep every game and play 50 minutes of lacrosse. Really work as a team. I think that is the most important thing when taking a team to the playoffs, as well.”

Shaler, which played Sewickley Academy on Tuesday in a game too late for this edition, just needs to find the right pace and is ready for the challenge ahead.

“We have a few midfielders we interchange,” Nicholas said. “We move some of the girls back on attack and move some fresh legs up on midfield to give girls rest on midfield as well. We do have three subs so it's better than none.”

Josh Rizzo is a freelance writer.

Tags: Shaler