For the first time since lacrosse was sanctioned by the N.C. High School Athletic Association, a lacrosse team from the Sandhills — boys or girls — has won a state championship.

Union Pines asserted itself early, triggering a running clock in the second quarter, en route to a 20-6 win over Bishop McGuinness in the 1A/2A/3A girls lacrosse state championship game on Saturday at Durham County Memorial Stadium.

The Vikings never trailed in the game and scored the first three goals. Anna Gaab scored unassisted to start the scoring at the 9:29 mark, then Addison Volitis scored twice on assists from Janie Spicer and Madelyn Telemeco to make it 3-0.

Bishop McGuinness called a timeout after the Vikings’ third goal, and Kiersten Varner scored an unassisted goal out of the timeout to get the Villains on the board. The goal was Varner’s first of three goals in the first half.

Varner’s goal began a bit of back-and-forth scoring between the two teams. Union Pines answered 15 seconds later with an unassisted goal by Ellie Powell to make it 4-1, but Ella Suire scored off an assist from Alison Varner less than a minute later to cut the Union Pines lead to 4-2.

That’s as close at Bishop McGuinness got to staging a comeback though. From that point, Union Pines scored the next nine goals. Caroline Carver, Powell, and Telemeco each scored before the the first quarter ended to give the Vikings a 7-2 lead.

The Villains were tagged with a two-minute slashing penalty early in the second quarter, and Union Pines took advantage. Powell scored twice, and Gaab, Volitis, Allison Cook, and Madison Aldridge each scored as well, giving Union Pines a 13-2 lead and starting the running clock.

Union Pines led 14-4 at halftime and never lost that lead. Powell scored a quick goal in the third quarter to push the lead back to 11. Suire managed the lone goal of the quarter for the Villains, and Spicer scored again in the final minute to give Union Pines a 16-5 lead after three quarters.

Suire recorded a hat trick for Bishop McGuinness with a goal early in the fourth quarter, but Union Pines did not allow that to spark any momentum. Spicer and Powell each assisted one another on goals to give Union Pines an 18-12 lead with 8:50 left. Gaab added a late goal to extend the lead to 13, which gave her a hat trick.

The last goal came in the final two minutes when Cook scored her second of the game, giving Union Pines a 20-6 lead. The Vikings allowed just two goals in the final two quarters — both by Suire.

Powell finished the game with eight points, including six goals and two assists. Spicer was named the most valuable player of the game with four assists and three goals.

Union Pines finishes the season with a perfect 17-0 record and the school’s first girls lacrosse state championship. It was also the first appearance in a lacrosse state championship for the Vikings.

Bishop McGuinness has finished as the state runner-up each of the last two seasons. Last year, the Villains lost a 10-7 game to Croatan. Bishop McGuinness’ season ends with a record of 19-3.

Source: highschoolot.com