BRISTOL - With a potential playoff preview against Prout on the schedule for later in the week, the Mt. Hope High School girls' lacrosse team took care of business against the Cumberland Clippers Tuesday afternoon at Guiteras Field, 12-6.
The Huskies (5-4 in Division One-A) never trailed against the Clippers (1-8), who struggled all day to cover midfielder Kayla Whiting and attacker Jillian Parker. The Huskies worked the ball around to consistently find open shots for one another.
"Last year, their settling was so-so, but this year they're doing a fantastic job," Mt. Hope head coach Lee Parker said. "They're paying attention to who's open and moving it around, especially when the score is up and you want to hold it and keep possession."
With five goals and an assist, Whiting, a junior, dominated the Clippers on offense. The lefty burned the Clippers' goalkeeper several times by curling tightly from the back of the net to the front and shooting to the opposite side.
"That crease-roll is why they started calling a different play on defense on her," Lee Parker said. "She's got that great left hand, and she can shoot both ways, depending on what side she's coming in on."
She added, "Today was her day. This was her best game ever."
Jillian Parker's work on the draws allowed the Huskies to control possession against Cumberland. She won the majority of her draws, and also scrambled for loose balls. She finished with three goals and two assists.
"She has nearly 100 percent," Lee Parker said, referring to Jillian's draw control. "What I usually say to the team is that if you get the draw, you get the point. She has really incredible stick skills, and she's able to catch in all these bizarre positions."
With the Clippers behind them, the Huskies have turned their attention to their game against Prout (7-3) at 5 p.m. Thursday. With a win against the Crusaders, the teams would be tied in the loss column, although both teams still have a game left against division-leading Cranston West (8-2). Mt. Hope lost the first game against Prout, 14-8, on April 14 at Ninigret Park in Charlestown.
"If we play Prout the way we played [Cumberland] today, and step it up a little, it should be a really great game," Lee Parker said. "Last time we played we didn't have three of our offensive players. We'll have everybody, our full team, and they can't wait."
By Stephen Greenwell
sgreenwell@eastbaynewspapers.com
For photos from the game, visit: http://eastbayri.mycapture.com/mycapture/folder.asp?event=511750&CategoryID=9233&ListSubAlbums=0