The early spring weather hasn’t been kind to the Eureka girls lacrosse team. Rain and cold have forced the Wildcats to practice in the gym.
“We’ve lost a lot of practice time,” said head coach Melissa Menchella, in her fifth year. “It’s harder to get things done in a gym, so I feel a little underprepared.”
The Wildcats are coming off a highly successful 2022 campaign (17-3) that culminated in the Missouri State Lacrosse Association championship game, where they lost 7-2 to Mary Institute-Country Day School. Eureka opened the 2023 season at Pattonville on Wednesday. Menchella expects a tough game in Eureka’s home opener today (March 31) against Wentzville.
“They have their four returning goal scorers,” Menchella said. “We graduated 10 seniors and have a lot of newcomers, but we have a lot of returners too, so I don’t want to call us young. It’s been a heavy coaching year because of all the new girls.”
Not starting games until this week allowed two starters who played basketball to join the team and practice. Juniors Bailey Boulay and Kylee Pickens played for Eureka’s basketball team that advanced to the Class 5 final four and finished fourth in the state. Boulay scored both goals in the title-game loss to MICDS. She returns to her attacker position and Pickens is a draw specialist.
“(Boulay) is incredibly shifty and agile,” Menchella said. “Her strength is her vision. She understands the movement of the game (and) has a really powerful shot.”
Returning in goal this season is senior Macey Rickles. Menchella said she’s counting on continuing leadership from another senior, midfielder Kaylee Gross.
“She brings a lot of energy and encouragement,” Menchella said. “She starts on draw circle and kickstarts possessions and has great footwork on defense.”
Seniors Madison Erb and Addison Hardin anchor the defense. Senior Mia Smith has started in the midfield since she was a sophomore. Freshman Brooke Samuelson joins the defense.
“We’re excited to see what (Samuelson) can do,” Menchella said. “She’s a great ballhandler and maybe she can help with our transition play.”
Sophomore attacker Ruby Copeland gives Eureka something it hasn’t had in years: a lefthanded stick.
“It makes you more versatile where you can attack,” Menchella said.
Senior attacker Bella Short also returns and sophomore Lucy Knerr starts in the midfield after transferring from Westminster Christian Academy, where she was a starter last spring.
At the preseason jamboree, Menchella described the Wildcats’ play as hot and cold. They played well against Kirkwood and looked good defensively against Cor Jesu Academy, which Menchella said should be one of the top four teams in the state this year. But against Parkway West, the Wildcats’ play “was not pretty, so it’s hard to get a read on us,” she said.
“I don’t want to look too far ahead because I’m not sure where we’re at. I don’t have a specific goal. Last year I knew I had the team to get to the final four. The expectations are the same. I want to separate the two teams and want to be as realistic as I can be for this year.”