March 27, 2008

The Hood River Valley girls lacrosse team picked up its first win as a varsity team March 15, beating West Salem 15-6 in the Eagles second game of the day in Salem.

Margaret Gleasman scored three goals, all in the first half, to lead the Eagles, while Alicia Everett, Sara Evans and Grace Viuhkola added two goals each in the win.

“I am so pleased to post our varsity win for girls lacrosse,” HRV coach Margaret Koenig said via-e-mail after the win. “We’ve come a long way in two years.”

Earlier in the day the Eagles lost to Sheldon 11-9. HRV was down 8-5 at halftime, but cut into the gap in the second half thanks to two goals from Morgan Nance. Nance had three goals in the game. Margaret Gleasman contributed two goals for the Eagles, while Jessica Ribkoff, Sara Evans and Jill Goatcher added one each.

The victory in the second game came despite the best attempts of the weather to stop it.

While the team was lined up for a stick check before the game, a gust of wind blew the canopy covering the scorers table across the field, nearly hitting the players, according to Koenig.

Last week the Eagles picked up wins two and three, beating Cleveland 11-5 and Aloha 10-6.

Against Cleveland the Eagles got three goals from Nance, and two each from Audrey Mallon, Jessica Ribkoff and Kimmi Costello.

The Eagles took a 5-2 lead at halftime, and then poured in six goals in the second half, including both of Costello’s scores and two of Mallon’s, to put the game away.

HRV got eight saves from goalie Leah Hodson in the effort.

Against Aloha HRV took a one-goal lead at halftime, and then got three goals from Nance in the second half to take a commanding lead.

Nance’s second-half hat trick gave her five goals in the contest to pace the HRV scoring attack. Mallon and Gleasmann each added two goals, while Costello also scored for the Eagles.

Leah Hodson made 11 saves.

Koenig was pleased to see the strides the team has made in a few short weeks, particularly offensively.

“They are starting to think,” she said. “You can see the wheels turning as they begin to anticipate each other’s cuts.”

She is also happy with the way Hodson is rising to the occasion on defense.

“Leah Hodson is playing exceptionally well,” she said. “She has made some pretty exciting saves that motivate the whole team.”

Even with three victories in their last four games, Koenig knows things are not going to get easier for the Eagles.

“Quick passes and double teaming are going to be essential as we move into league play,” she said. “After spring break the games get much harder and our team will need to maintain its composure and use each other in order to play well.”

The Eagles play next at North Clackamas on April 3, will host a scrimmage against Three Rivers on April 5, and then have their next official home game against Oregon City on April 7.