Lacrosse is a relatively new sport recognized at high schools. North Gwinnett’s Varsity Lacrosse was started in 2011. Head coach of the varsity girl’s team, Lindsey Dalton has been involved with the program since it started in 2011 where she began as a community coach. She has seen the sport grow in the area. NGHS girls are recognized as a top ten team in the state as well as being named in the top ten teams in the southeast by US Lacrosse magazine.
NGHS Lady Lacrosse has seven returning seniors this year, of which three are college commits in lacrosse. Shannon Costelloe is committed to Presbyterian College, Alexis Mount has signed with Mars Hill University, and Audrey Frost committed to Reinhart University. Even with seven seniors returning, they will still have to rely on their underclassmen after losing eight seniors last year.
Coach Dalton states, “We play our toughest schedule ever this year, including the 7A state runner up Cambridge, 5A runner up Kell, and 5A State Champions Blessed Trinity.” She hopes that playing these tough non region opponents will prepare them for region play as their ultimate goal is to obtain a playoff spot. Two must see games Dalton says one should go see are Mill Creek and Northview.
Key team members for the Lady Bulldogs are Senior and Captain Shannon Costelloe who is the core of their attack, Senior and Captain Alexis Mount who will be leading their defense, and Sophomore goalie Lana Puckett who has “big shoes to fill” after their previous goalie graduated last year.
The North Gwinnett Lady Bulldogs Lacrosse team started their season off on a big note defeating Archer with an impressive score of 22-4 on their home turf in Suwanee on February 15th. It will be interesting to see how these talented ladies do this season and hopefully carry on the momentum they started with their win over Archer.
