'Ring-shopping' ready: No. 1 American Heritage-Delray girls win third state championship

NAPLES — A wise man once said a really big team needs some really big rings. In 2023, it didn't get bigger — or better — than No. 1 in Florida American Heritage-Delray girls lacrosse, due for some new bling after an 11-4 decimation of Lake Highland Prep to win the Class 1A state championship on Saturday.

After a series of fist pumps, hugs, hoisting up the trophy, and a promised attempt at the viral griddy dance should the Stallions win it all, coach John McClain asked his crew:

"How are we going on rings? As big as last time?"

One of seven seniors and back for her final varsity season after a season-ending injury in 2022, Virginia Tech signee Peyton Bezjak, who had two goals against the Highlanders (20-4), said the Stallions are going "as big as we can."

Of course, the new addition will have to complement the look of their most recent "golf ball-sized" rock.

If anything, the piece will have to reflect how major of a season it was for Heritage, which notched its second 22-win season in program history.

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From the heat of the rivalry that has met in the title matchup since Heritage's last championship in 2021 to a havoc-wreaking lightning storm that caused a facility-wide power outage at Paradise Sports Complex, the pressure of the game itself cut the diamonds.

Senior goalie Brianna Valdivieso had five saves and a ground ball in the win, making it clear that she wouldn't spend another 364 days looking at a silver medal hung on her helmet in her bedroom like she did after last season's 10-8 loss to the Highlanders.

If you were there to witness Heritage's dominant jump out front, mounting an unanswered, eight-goal lead until LHP's Piper Bell slung one in the net with seconds to halftime, it looked like there was no pressure at all.

At least not from Lake Highland Prep.

For the Stallions, it was a team effort, charged by a game-high, hat-trick performance from junior Victoria Tomonto and the magic of Alex Dorr — better known to fans as "Dumble-Dorr" — in the circle.

A weather-fitting, team-favorite sideline performance of Adele's "Set Fire To The Rain" brought Heritage back out on the field fueled for the win, not giving up possession for the first 10of the 25-minute second half.

One last time, McClain called Dorr the "the fastest kid I've ever seen."

On a revenge tour, Dorr upped her 40-yard dash speed to 5.05 seconds, out to join standout attack Dakota Riggio, who had six goals over the course of the weekend, at the University of Denver with another state title in tow.

"It's a mix of emotions," Dorr said. "Leaving this team is tough because I have so many memories with all of these girls, but I'm really excited to go to Denver with Dakota and make new memories and new friends."

Bezjak doubled down on the tightknit bonds shared between the girls, "pumped" for her start at the next level, but sad to leave the "best friends" she's made over the years.

"I haven't cried at all this season," McClain told the girls, prefacing his known status as a "crier."

"I've cried twice today."

McClain's tears were just a few of a flood between the players, parents, assistant coaches and school faculty that knew this Heritage team was the "total package" from the beginning.

"They're probably the most extraordinary team I've ever coached," McClain said. Tears welled up once again.

"As long as they believe in themselves, they're going to be champions. All day long."

To the end, the Stallions were committed to "Believe," the team's "power word."

The girls could find themselves one ring away from a fistful next season with an anticipated 22 returning players, set to be led by rising seniors Tomonto, Harper Throop, Clemson commit Brooke Goldstein and Palm Beach Central transfer Chiara Schichilone.

Should Lousiville midfielder commit Olivia Scroggie keep up her flashy, momentum-changing plays for ground balls like she did against the Highlanders, the Stallions can almost guarantee it.

They just have to believe.

Emilee Smarr is the high school sports reporter for The Palm Beach Post. She can be reached via email at esmarr@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: 'Ring-shopping' ready: No. 1 Heritage-Delray girls clinch third state title