Coral Shores had to wait out the weather to play its first postseason lacrosse game of the year against Palmer Trinity School. The winner of that game would advance to play Key West, who had earned a bye for the first round of district action. After double rain-outs, Coral Shores ended up in Key West on April 13 to play Palmer to a heartbreaking, season-ending 11-10 loss. The Lady ’Canes finished with a 4-7 record this season, and despite losing a quarter of their current roster to graduation, the team has plenty of talented athletes returning next year.
Instead of facing the Lady ’Canes in their first playoff game, Key West would make short work of Palmer Trinity, winning 21-5 on April 13 and putting them in the FHSAA District 16 playoff game. Despite being heavily favored in the game, Key West did not take it lightly, and assistant coach Kristen Baumer fired up the team with a pregame speech.
Head coach Marissa Giacopuzzi praised Baumer, who she said “stepped up huge this year” when Giacopuzzi delivered the next generation of Conchs lacrosse with the arrival of her son just two months ago.
Baumer’s words gave Key West what they needed to roll the Raiders of Ransom Everglades on April 14 in one of the most decisive district championship wins in the region, 19-11.
“At 211 degrees, water is hot. At 212 degrees, water boils. Boiling water produces steam, which is powerful enough to move a locomotive,” Baumer told her team. “That one degree makes all the difference. Ask yourself, what can you do to (give) one more degree of effort, hustle and discipline to make something amazing happen.”
The District Champion Lady Conchs had eight saves from sophomore goalkeeper Courtney Grabus. Ella Baxter scored six goals with three assists in the game, giving her 110 career goals and counting. The junior also added a draw control and caused a turnover. Senior attacker Bella Marchiano scored five in the game, reaching her milestone 100th career goal. Marchiano had seven draw controls and caused three turnovers in the win.
“Those draw controls are everything,” said Giacopuzzi. “Win the draw and you can control the game with discipline and poise.”
Sophia Felini ended up with six draw controls, one assist and an interception. Maria Chaney scored four, Ada Van Loon scored two, and Devan Bittner and Katie Collins each added a goal and a draw control. Colbie Turner also had a draw control to help seal the championship win and move the Lady Conchs into regional territory. Key West will play American Heritage on Friday, April 21 in the regional quarterfinals with the hope of advancing toward the state championships held in the first week of May.
Boys
Prep lacrosse season came to a close last week with both Keys boys teams knocked out of district play. Key West lost to Ransom Everglades in the opening round of postseason action, falling to the Raiders 14-1. The Conchs, plagued by injuries this season, ended with a 2-16 record. If they can stay healthy, Key West should have no problem turning it around next season as they return a majority of their starters in 2024.
Alex Sebben, Dominic Gonzalez and Landon Blackford each scored a goal and Reece Jahn racked up a dozen saves for Coral Shores in the FHSAA 1A District 16 semifinal game on April 12, but it would not be enough to defeat Westminster Academy or extend the Hurricanes’ season. After earning a bye in the opening round, the ’Canes lost 17-3 to the future district champions. Coral Shores finished its season with a solid 7-5 record and tons of potential for next year.
