Granby Girls' Lax Continues Torrid Start

Despite the frigid conditions, the  girls lacrosse team continued its hot streak with a 14-9 victory over  on Friday afternoon.

The victory, which was played in windy conditions with temperatures that dipped below 40 degrees, was the Bears’ sixth in seven games and third in a row since Granby dropped a heartbreaking 12-11 overtime decision to Avon High on April 17.

Meg Griffin, Mia Olsen and Olivia Johnson each scored three goals against Ellington to lead the Bears’ balanced attack, while Meg Hebert and Krista Iwanicki both scored twice and Mackenzie Brower added one goal, as Granby improved to 6-1.

Trailing the Knights 2-1 in the first half, Granby took control of the game by scoring seven consecutive goals in 12 minutes to lead 8-2 with 5:11 left before halftime.

Ellington closed to within three goals (at 11-8 with 21:28 left in the second half), but Granby salted the game away with two consecutive goals to take a 13-8 lead with less than six minutes left.

Bears head coach Terri Ziemnicki was pleased with the victory, particularly after coming on the heels of a 15-10 win over Northwest Catholic on Thursday.

“Most of the shots we had [against Ellington] were some nice shots that were well set up,” said Ziemnicki, who noted the solid play of Griffin, Johnson and Brower in particular. “It was a good game. … I thought our midfield played really well.”

Hannah Naumec led the Knights (4-3) with a game-high four goals to go along with two assists; Kelly Conley had three goals and an assist, while Josie Gerber and Rachel Ziter each had a goal apiece.

“Ellington has really improved and their goalie [Alyssa Jones, 17 saves] did an outstanding job, they have some really good players, they have a nice team,” Ziemnicki said.

Ellington head coach Tim Bosworth praised his team’s effort and development.

“I’m trying to get some other people to score, and Ziter came through for us, so that’s important to us,” Bosworth said. “We’re doing a lot better on defense, but we’ve still got some work to do on it. … For the most part, playing against Granby, I think we did a nice job. Our passing is improving, we’re looking for the open person, but we’ve still got some work to do.”

Ziemnicki, for her part, also said that her team had some things it needed to work on.

“I want to see us communicate more,” she said. “That’s our downfall. When we don’t communicate, we don’t play as well as we can.”

Granby hosts Suffield on Monday at 5:30 p.m., while Ellington hosts Canton Tuesday at 4 p.m.