Hagerty has high hopes heading into girls lacrosse region semis
Hagerty girls lacrosse coach Mitch Wittington can’t yet say that this year’s team is the best ever for a program that has dominated the Seminole Athletic Conference over four seasons and made finalfour appearances in 2018 and 2019.
But he has no doubt the 2021 Huskies, even with just three senior starters, have the best team rapport and culture.
“This group eats, sleeps and drinks lacrosse and each other,” Wittington said Wednesday. “They genuinely like each other, which makes for a great atmosphere. It’s an absolute joy to coach.”
Hagerty, which is 13-6 against a demanding schedule, is the highest ranked Class 2A area team, according to MaxPreps. The sixth-ranked Huskies surrendered just two goals in two lopsided district tournament wins last week and will be home vs. No. 7 Lake Brantley (16-1) Thursday night.
The winner advances to a region final next Thursday to play against either East Ridge (18-1) or St. Johns Bartram Trail (15-3).
Brantley’s only loss was a 12-1 defeat at the hands of Hagerty two weeks ago.
Laila Viator, a Hagerty senior team captain, scored eight goals in a 12-1 win against Oviedo in the Huskies’ district final. The other two senior starters are goalkeeper Natalia Cruz and defender Mary Rasmussen.
They lead a squad that has three freshman starters and several key sophomores.
“The kids coming up from our youth-feeder program get to us more skilled as ninth-graders,” Wittington said.
Hagerty has won 22 consecutive games against Orlando area teams dating to a regular-season loss to Bishop Moore in the 201920 season.
Lake Highland Prep (17-0), the top-ranked team in 1A, is a heavy favorite at home Tuesday night.