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By Tom Peace
TopLaxRecruits.com, Posted 3/18/15
BALTIMORE – Roland Park senior Francesca Whitehurst said she is happy to accept the role as her team’s leader after the graduation of All-American CeCe Finney.
Francesca Whitehurst
“It was hard losing CeCe,” said Whitehurst, a Georgetown signee and member of the USA U19 team “She was a great leader, especially being the year below her I learned a lot.
“Now this is the year for me to step up and bring everything I have and get the girls pumped. I have high hopes for being a leader.”
Whitehurst did just that Tuesday as she collected five goals and an an assist as well as six draw controls to help the host Reds open their season with a 16-10 win over Archbishop Spalding in a Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland opener.
Roland Park reached the finals of the IAAM last year when they gave mighty McDonogh a serious challenge for the IAAM crown. The Reds entered play Tuesday ranked No. 16 in the STEPS lacrosse North America Girls’ Rankings; Spalding (1-1) was No. 14.
Roland Park struggled at first, but turned it on at the midway point and never looked back.
“We were very slow at the beginning and it didn’t go as we planned, said Whitehurst. “But what we love best is that we were able to get our drive and get our energy (in the middle) of the game.
“The amount of effort and heart that a;ll the girls had was incredible. That’s the main reason we won. Both teams were skilled, but we had extra heart and fire. The first win of the conference feels great. We have a huge group of seniors so this is great to come out on a win.”
Also for Roland Park, Anna Hauser had four goals, Cameron McGee added three goals and an assist and Jenna Janes had two goals and an assist.
Emily Cooper scored five goals to lead Spalding while Annie Pazulski had four goals and Marissa Brown added a goal and two assists.
Roland Park head coach Reagan Koffel said Whitehurst will be a great leader.
“We can expect a lot from her this year,” said Koffel. “Aside from her being a great player on the field she’s got that determination that will to win. So she’s out there, she’s hustling after everything, and she’s elevating our team also. (The team) all wants to play up at (her) level, and that she holds them accountable to. And that helps us all get better.
“We were hoping to get off on a good start. e knew that Spalding was going to be really tough. They have a lot of returners and a lot of good players. We didn’t lose many and added three new players so we want to continue moving forward. But it’s a whole new season and we have a new outlook and must take it one game at a time.”
Koffel was asked if six-time IAAM champion McDonogh – with 112 straight wins and five consecutive undefeated seasons – can be beaten.
“I think every team is beatable,” she said. “On any given day … it just depends on the day.
“I think we have the potential, a couple teams have the potential. But they are a very strong team – they don’t rebuild, they reload. We’re going to definitely work toward it; if not us, maybe someone else.
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