Yorktown’s girls lacrosse team would never pass the airport test, that on-sight evaluation used by athletes everywhere to size up their opponents when they step onto the field. There are no future Division I stars. The Patriots are undersized and described by their own coach as “dainty.” But it all masks a toughness that has given the traditional powers in the Northern Region fits.
“We feel kind of like outsiders, the small school with a bunch of girls who haven’t played lacrosse for that long,” said Yorktown defender Linden Rock, who took up the sport for the first time last season. “Last year, teams may have taken us lightly. This year they don’t.”
Not after a week where the Patriots (10-1) knocked off perennial region contenders Chantilly (5-1) and Langley (4-2). They had already beat six-time region champion W.T. Woodson (3-4) on March 21. Yorktown is building off a wonderful 16-4 season where they set the program record for wins, reached the region semifinals for the first time ever and came within one goal of qualifying for the first official Group AAA state tournament. Not bad for a program that didn’t even have enough players to suit up a junior varsity team just three years ago.
“We had 24 girls in the program and not even half had any experience with lacrosse,” said Yorktown senior midfielder Reid Cifrino. “Now, we’ve played together for a couple of years and we’re a lot more balanced. Someone is always there to take up the slack.”
Cifrino, the reigning National District player of the year, finished with 54 goals last season and fellow midfielder Melissa Bennett led the region with 56. But if that duo wasn’t scoring then the Patriots likely weren’t winning.
That’s changed. Junior midfielder Maggie Dean scored three goals against Chantilly. Senior midfielder Sophia Webster had four goals vs. Langley. And senior midfielder Molly McCartin and senior attack Kevyn Easley are both improved offensive threats.
“We may not look like it, but we’re a hard team to play against,” said third-year Yorktown coach Robin Steinberg, a 1997 Woodson graduate who played lacrosse at Virginia. “These girls are fast and that lets us play an aggressive style of lacrosse.”
Yorktown wants to take advantage of its veteran roster. The Patriots will graduate 10 seniors and lose junior goalie Sarah Sitcov, a star club ice hockey goalie who will spend her senior year at a private school in Pennsylvania. Sitcov made 28 saves on April 10 to help Yorktown rally for the 14-13 overtime win over Langley.
PATRIOTS DAY
» Yorktown has a budding rivalry with Loudoun Valley, which will again join the National District for its postseason tournament. The Patriots are 1-3 vs. Loudoun Valley over the last two years.
» Senior midfielder Melissa Bennett has fully recovered from knee injuries that hampered her last summer and fall.
» Senior midfielder Reid Cifrino will play club lacrosse at the University of South Carolina.
