West Forsyth's girls lacrosse players look to accomplish Saturday what their wrestling counterparts couldn't four months ago.
As they enter the 5:30 p.m. Class AAAA/A high school final at Westminster, the unbeaten Wolverines (20-0) are trying to win the school's first athletic championship, something that eluded the wrestling team in its runner-up finish to Gilmer County in the state duals tournament in January. West Forsyth opened three years ago.
The Milton and Lassiter girls and boys, finalists in today's Class AAAAA title games, have a long history in the lacrosse playoffs. So do Westminster's girls and AAAA/A boys finalists Lovett and Westminster. But West Forsyth, the state's only undefeated team, was an unlikely pick to contend for a championship.
"A lot of people don't think we have a chance to win, but this is a special group of girls who believe in themselves," West Forsyth coach Dan Kaplan said. "We'd rather be in a state championship game facing a mighty foe like Westminster than going there and watching it from the stands."
West Forsyth has beaten many established teams, won an area championship and advanced past Starr's Mill (16-12), St. Pius (13-2) and Holy Innocents' (13-12 in double overtime) during the playoffs. Jacksonville University signee Nikki Erdely scored 24 seconds into sudden death against HIES to put West Forsyth in the final.
"Beating Holy Innocents' in double overtime was huge for them," athletics director Dennis Stromie said. "When you win [20] games, you've obviously found a way to be successful."
Westminster's only loss this season has been to Milton, 20-10. The Wildcats (20-1) were state champions at the club level in 2002 and 2004 and three-time finalists since lacrosse became a GHSA championship sport in 2005.
After defeating Decatur (20-4), Wesleyan (19-9) and Marist (13-5) to reach today's championship game, a victory would give the Wildcats' their best-ever record in the sport.
"It doesn't matter who has what record coming in [to the final]," Westminster coach Jay Watts said. "It's your record coming out that matters."
GHSA lacrosse championships
Class AAAA/A
Boys
Lovett at Westminster, Saturday, 3 p.m.
Girls
West Forsyth at Westminster, Saturday, 5:30 p.m.
Class AAAAA
Girls
Milton at Lassiter, Saturday, 6 p.m.
Boys
Milton at Lassiter, Saturday, 8 p.m.
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