The second MWPA Girls Quarterfinal at Canham Natatorium features two teams with coaches that have done a masterful job with. One program has two of the most exciting underclassmen in the entire MWPA, the other has one of the most exciting seniors in the state. Both are trying to capture their first state title in nearly ten years, though both teams have spent most every year within the top four in that time.
Meet the West Region's Second Seeded Rams
Record: 23-9
Prior Match-Ups: Rockford Leads 1-0 (9-3 win, April 30 @ Rockford)
This Year: District 2 Champions, West Regional Runners Up
Head Coach: Katie Clarin
Award Winners
Josie Geers - West Region First Team, West Regional Tournament First Team
Adrianna Alcala - West Region Second Team, West Regional Tournament First Team
Ashley Lund - West Regional Tournament Honorable Mention
Sophie Stallworth (G) - West Region Second Team, West Regional Tournament Honorable Mention
Perhaps no team in the entirety of the MWPA has been as hot as Katie Clarin's Rockford Rams since April 13. How hot, you ask? 19-1 in their last 20 against in-state foes after a 4-5 overall start. That is plainly and utterly ridiculous. Their only loss? The Regional Championship game to the four-time defending state champions (who they defeated once this season). In that time they won 13 games against top ten teams and beat two SEPARATE state #1 teams as well. The job Katie Clarin has done on the Rams may have gone somewhat under the radar, but it has been extremely impressive.
Josie Geers is one of the West Regions top players and brings a powerful presence to the middle of the pool. Adrianna Alcala has been a go-to defender for Katie Clarin's Rams, while the steady Sophie Stallworth minds the cage for Rockford. In a very deep state tournament, this is one of a higher percentage than usual groups with a realistic shot at winning the whole thing.
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Meet the East Region's Third Seeded Eagles
Record: 13-12
Prior Match-Ups: Rockford Leads 1-0 (9-3 loss, April 30 @ Rockford)
This Year: District 4 Runners up, East Region third place
Head Coach: Rebecca Godek
Award Winners
Allie Deininger - East Region First Team, East Regional Tournament First Team
Lauren MacNeil - East Region Second Team, East Regional Tournament Second Team
Alia Tracy (G) - East Region Second Team, East Regional Tournament Second Team
One word - Automatic. That describes the Eagles over the last decade. They're going to make the state tournament most years and present a very challenging out. They played more top ten teams than anyone in the East Region and won the sixth most top ten games over the course of the year. It's an unsurprising formula for development that seems to work every year for the Eagles. Aside from the fact that they have one of the state's best game-planners. Kids check under their bed for monsters, polo coaches check under their bed for Rebecca Godek.
Allie Deininger is a sophomore. She's north of 80 goals. That's rare, she's one of the state's top goal scorers. Britta Coultas is A FRESHMAN, north of 30 goals. Just like...everyone has to deal with two more years of these two together. That doesn't even mention the steady Lauren MacNeil and one of the state's most talented keepers in Alia Tracy. There is upper classmen talent undoubtedly, but you can see with their mentorship of the young players a very bright future for Skyline, and it begins Friday at 12:15.
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