Zionsville’s girls’ lacrosse team adopted a new motto, “Be you,” about halfway through the season.
"We really took that quote to heart,” Eagles coach Missy Stringham said. “Everyone had different jobs and roles, strengths and weaknesses. Once we focused on our individual strengths, then we started playing to our potential. The kids really took on the journey of being themselves and not trying to be something they are not.”
The Eagles finished the season 6-9 and lost to Heritage Christian in the regional tournament. A highlight of the season for Zionsville was beating Cathedral, who finished third in the state.
Junior Jayme Brizzolara led the way for the Eagles, posting team-highs in points (52, 13th best in state), assists (17, 11th best in state) and ground balls (42, ninth in the state).
Junior Hayli Smith led the team with 33 draw controls on the season, which was 17th best in the state.
Senior Sara Jensen led the team with 39 goals (16th in the state) and finished second on the team in points with 43 (18th in the state).
Stringham said Jensen rose to the occasion this season and was a steady leader.
“It was her time to shine and step up,” Stringham said. “And that is what she did.”
Senior Katelyn Lafayette led the Eagles with 19 forced turnovers.
The Eagles had four players make the All-Region team in Brizzolara, Erin Kunkel, Allee Moore and Katelyn Lafayette.
Kunkel also made second team All-State despite an injury.
Stringham said she was proud of how the Eagles fought adversity.
“These kids had many obstacles to overcome all season, yet they stepped up to the plate,” she said. “They always rose above and kept fighting. There were many times we could have given up, yet the kids just fought back even harder. Their resilience was remarkable.”
Another highlight for the year was the final game of the season where the hard work and dedication came to fruition.
“We saw such tremendous growth from day one to the final game. The kids put together a tremendous game of skill and effort. The kids finally realized their individual potential, which made our team that much better,” Stringham said. “Yes, we came up short. But, I could not be any more proud of our kids than I was after that game. They are true class and represent Zionsville girls’ lacrosse in all ways, shapes and forms.”
The Eagles will be losing 13 seniors including Jensen in low attack, Lafayette on low defense, and Alexis Williams on low attack.
“They showed tremendous leadership and true sense of team at all times,” Stringham said. “We are losing many other valuable members that played their role and did the best they could every day. They never complained in all four years. This group came to work hard every single day and every single minute. They will truly be missed.”
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