Saint Stephen's girls lacrosse falls to nation's best in state semifinals
NAPLES − Saint Stephen’s Episcopal’s girls lacrosse team stepped into the deep end and was hit with a tidal wave.
Substituting freely from its 30-player roster, American Heritage out of Delray Beach lived up to its billing. Ranked not only first in the state, but also No. 1 in the country by MaxPreps, the Stallions blitzed the Falcons, 22-5, in the Class 1A State Semifinal on Friday at Paradise Coast Sports Complex.
While top-seeded American Heritage (21-1) will play for its third state championship and second in three seasons Saturday, fourth-seeded Saint Stephen’s (17-1) returned to Bradenton with its first loss and a wealth of valuable experience.
“That’s an awfully good team,” Falcons coach Tod Creneti said. “And the tough part is not only are they good, but they are deep. They subbed like it was a hockey game. They were running kids in and out.”
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Eleven different Stallions scored goals, including seven in the first half when they raced out to a 15-2 lead against a Saint Stephen’s team that permitted an average of 4.5 goals per game in the first 17. There was a running clock with 13 minutes expired because of the 10-goal advantage.
“We’ve got the injury bug and the illness bug a little bit,” Creneti said. “And watching them run kids in and out was a challenge. They’re just a very good team. They’re skilled.”
No rhythm on offense
Averaging nearly 17 goals in their first 17 games, the Falcons had trouble getting into a rhythm offensively Friday.
And much of that had to do with American Heritage’s superior depth and speed.
“They have the sticks skills and the speed,” Falcons senior Bella Rosa said. “They have stick skills and speed, but they also have numbers. Being a really small school, it’s hard to compete against a school that big.”
All five of Saint Stephen’s goals came on free shots from the 8-meter area: two by juniors Sienna Cassella and Ashling Marshall and one by Rosa.
“It’s hard not to be in rhythm, especially when you’ve been in rhythm for 17 games in a row,” Creneti said. “When you can’t find it, you start to press.”
“It was a tough way to go out, but we worked hard all season,” Rosa said. “It was a tough game. They were a good team. But it was just awesome getting to play my sister (sophomore Haley) and Sienna, who I’ve been playing with since I was 8 years old. It’s been really awesome.”
“They have the advantage of depth on their roster and playing on the club team together,” senior defender/midfielder Sophia Creneti said. “Honestly, with this team we have 12 girls who may not play year round, but on the field we play as hard as we can.”
Setting the standard
The 11 Saint Stephen’s seniors established the legacy of being the first team to reach the Final 4, setting the standard for the future. From starters Madison Castelucci, Kate Baran, Emma Klein, Creneti, Lillia Norwood, Tatum Tellbuescher and Rosa to reserves Sophia Vallavecces, Megan Wolfe, Caitie Pacer and Julia Craig the seniors paved the way.
“We knew pretty quickly once we got into the first quarter how it was going to end,” Sophia Creneti said, struggling to hold back the tears. “But we didn’t stop trying. But at the end of the day, we know we’re not going to win, but we want to play for each other. That’s what makes this team so great.”
“They brought us here. The senior class brought us to the state tournament for the first time ever," Coach Creneti said. "That’s their legacy. That’s the mark. That’s what they should be proud of, and that’s what they should focus on.”
With high-scoring Cassella, Haley Rosa, Marshall, defender Kiera Milburn and sophomore goalie Annesley Flint, who was not at fault for many of the goals Friday, returning, Saint Stephen’s has a solid foundation at which to build upon.
“It just means next year the players are going to have to step up and work harder,” Bella Rosa said.
The legendary season will be remembered for a long time at Saint Stephen’s.
“I love our kids,” Coach Creneti said. “They battled so hard. There’s a million things to be proud of and feel good about. We’ll watch the film with the idea we’ll be better next year.”
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Saint Stephen's Episcopal loses girls lacrosse state semifinal
