Lake Highland builds strength

Concerted efforts to get stronger individually has helped the Lake Highland Prep girls’ lacrosse team go on the attack this season.

With her team coming off back-toback playoff appearances, Lake Highland Prep coach Lauren Dean turned to a strength consultant, Maureen Monte, to help the Highlanders take another step in their quest for a state championship.

So far, the results have been positive. The Highlanders are sporting a 10-4 record, including 7-0 mark in District 10.

Lake Highland is ranked No. 4 in the Sentinel Super Six after falling to No. 3 Bishop Moore by a 20-14 scoere on Tuesday.

“Maureen helped us all identify our strengths and together we crafted a success statement,” Dean said. “Players and coaches pick a different strength to focus on each week. I believe this ongoing dialogue about how to use our strengths to our advantage has really helped us stay positive and motivated to achieve our goals.”

One of those goals is to win a state title, especially after advancing to the third-round play-in round last season. The Highlanders lost to Olympia 13-12 in a nail-biter. In 2015, Lake Highland Prep advanced to a second-round play-in game where it fell to Timber Creek 9-8.

“The goal is to win the state championship,” Dean said. “We have fallen short the past two years despite being one of the most talented teams in the state. We are determined to get to the final four and win.”

The Highlanders, No. 6 in the LaxPower.com state rankings, ripped off nine consecutive wins after a 1-2 start, which included a close 12-9 loss to third-ranked Vero Beach in the season opener. Lake Highland’s other defeats came to Milton, Ga., 15-2, and topranked American Heritage Delray 15-10. Milton is ranked No. 6 in the Peach State.

“Earlier this year, a lot of strong out-of-state programs reached out to us to schedule games,” Dean said.

“It's been fun and challenging to face off against some stronger programs we haven't been exposed to before and to see how we stack up against the better programs nationally.”

Statistically, the Highlanders are balanced. Seniors Tracy Zielke and Madison Nunziata, juniors Kathleen O’gorman, Nancy Tutorino and Sydney Perreault, and sophomores Ainsley Thurston and Marissa Faris all have been offensive factors. 1. Dr. Phillips (12-0) (1) 2. Celebration (10-2) (2) 3. Bishop Moore (9-4) (3) 4. Lake Highland Prep (10-4) (4) 5. Hagerty (11-2) (5) 6. Winter Park (12-2) (6)

Olympia, The First Academy, Trinity Prep, Lyman, Lake Brantley, West Orange.