Huron Valley Girls Lacrosse Expecting Big Things in 2011

A new-look attack for the Huron Valley girls lacrosse team could mean more goals and even more wins this season. 

If that is the case, it will be a successful year for the team, composed of players from Lakeland and Milford high schools. The team suffered a difficult 9-8 loss to Lake Orion in the season opener, but came back strong last week to beat Grand Blanc 9-5.

It was one of the best regular seasons in the team’s seven-year history in 2010, but a disappointing loss in regionals ended the season. Two years earlier, Huron Valley had advanced to the state semifinals. 

Fifth-year head coach Tara Johnson has 15 returning players. And this year she is implementing an attacking offensive strategy that will include two hybrid players, one on defense and one at the attacking position on offense, that she hopes will help the team to better organize on the field. 

“What we have done is essentially create a leadership position between defense and midfield and midfield and attacker that is responsible for communicating and setting up what we are going to do,” Johnson said. 

Adrianna Robinson and Laflamme will serve as the starting hybrid players, and all candidates had to complete an application to answer a number of questions that would in part determine their ability to play the position. According to their head coach, it takes a player who has common sense and can evaluate situations on the field quickly to succeed there. 

“I like to say that it takes someone who can confront conflict, not chaos,” Johnson said. 

The new offensive strategy includes what Johnson calls a “double offense” where two sets of plays will be run simultaneously in an effort to confuse the opponent. But at a larger level, Johnson wants her team to slow down in its attack, improve its collective decision making and take smarter shots. 

“As a coach you are presented with athletes, and it is your role to put them in a position to win,” Johnson said. “I think our girls are going to be in good shape to start the year, but what I can do is improve their decision making. We want to work together more and let everyone on the field (have possession of the ball).” 

Other team leaders include senior center defender Stephanie Holmes, one of the top players in the area. She led Huron Valley in nearly every statistical category last season and will attend Notre Dame College of Ohio, a Division II program, on a lacrosse scholarship next season. 

“She’s our leader and a tremendous all-around player,” Johnson said. 

Holmes has had a broad range of lacrosse experience, including being a part of the Detroit lacrosse junior travel team that has played in tournaments throughout the country, including against top East Coast teams. She enjoys sharing her experience with teammates and has even recruited some of her ski teammates to the lacrosse team. 

“I like how we have some returning players coming back and some (young talent)—it’s a pretty good mix,” Holmes said. “I like getting some of the other girls involved in the game and pass on some tips to them.” 

Other leading returners include junior Caitlin Wojichowski as an attacker and Hannah Taylor on the wing. Both will provide a combination of offensive firepower and defensive awareness. 

The unseasonably cold weather forced a cancellation in the team’s first scheduled game this season on March 25 against Hartland. But Huron Valley has been practicing outside all season. It will play all of its home games at Lakeland this year. 

As for the Lakeland/Milford rivalry, there are no worries about that with the combined team, said Johnson, a Milford High teacher. 

“I think it’s a good opportunity for the girls to establish relationships with students from the other (high) school,” Johnson said. “I think even though the two schools are typically rivals in other sports, there is a lot of respect between the students and coaches.”