It’s familiar territory for both the CSN boys and girls lacrosse programs.
Except, they’re aiming to avoid what’s become somewhat of a familiar result: a state semifinal exit.
The Seahawks boys and girls lacrosse teams are up against it heading into their respective Final Four contests. The CSN boys (18-3) will take on national No. 1 Saint Andrew’s (19-3) on Thursday May 7, while the CSN girls (16-5) will take the other national No. 1 in American Heritage Delray (19-1) on Friday, May 8. Both games will be at 2:30 p.m. at the Paradise Coast Sports Complex.
“I’m proud of our seniors,” CSN boys coach Keith Lee said. “This was a goal of theirs to get to state, so we need all of them to pull through to get to our ultimate goal, which is to win state.”
Both squads played their state semifinal opponent in the regular season, with the boys losing to the Scots 14-8 on March 20 and the girls falling to the Stallions 18-5 on Feb. 13. They’ll look to prove they’ve taken a larger step since those losses.
The Seahawks had their chances in the first Saint Andrew’s game, with Utah signee Isaac Lyon winning over 66 percent of the 27 faceoffs that took place. The girls have struggled offensively in their seven losses to the Stallions, averaging just 3.7 goals per game while allowing 17.1 since the teams started playing five years ago.
“We talked about upping the pace,” Lee said after beating Canterbury for the region title. “We’ve got a lot of athletes, and we wanted to use that to our advantage and get up and down the field.”
CSN’s boys have managed to win ever since that loss to Saint Andrew’s in mid-March, beating opponents on average by 9.3 goals per game. The girls have rattled off five in a row since losing to Radnor (Md.) on April 1, beating Barron Collier, Naples twice, Clearwater Central Catholic, and Bradenton Christian to get to this point.
“It’s really awesome,” said senior Ruby Smith, who is signed to Florida State. “I mean, it’s cool to experience it close to home and all of our friends and family being there.”
They’ll need someone like Smith to be on her game, especially over the 40 goal mark on the season, If her, Hadley Tarrasch, Mia Metcalf, Sophia Dapper, and others are on their game, then it’s game on against the Stallions.
“She has a gift for offensive wizardry – or witchery,” Queener said of Smith. “She stirs the drink for our offense for sure.”
IF YOU GO
What: Class 1A Boys and Girls Lacrosse semifinals (CSN boys vs. Saint Andrew’s, CSN girls vs. American Heritage Delray Beach)
Where: Paradise Coast Sports Complex, Naples
When: Thursday, May 7, 2:30 p.m. (boys), Friday, May 8, 2:30 p.m. (girls)
Watch on NFHS Network: Click the links to watch CSN boys vs. Saint Andrew’s and CSN girls vs. American Heritage
Tickets: $13.00 per day general admission with advance purchase and $16.00 the day of via GoFan
Parking: Included in ticket
Follow Sports Reporter Alex Martin on X at @NP_AlexMartin or via email: amartin@usatodayco.com. For the best sports coverage in Southwest Florida, follow @newspresssports and @ndnprepzone on Instagram.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: CSN lacrosse teams will face No. 1 nationally ranked foes in Class 1A
Reporting by Alex Martin, Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News / Naples Daily News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
