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Lady Highlander Lax takes down Cy Fair-Ready for Playoffs

By: Doug Sarant
| Published 04/21/2021

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THE WOODLANDS, TX - Ashleigh Dixon and the Woodlands Lady Highlanders pulled out a squeaker last night at Gosling Field in taking down District foe, Cy Fair 13-11 to close out their regular season, 8-3. It was Senior Night and you always want to get the win on such a special night celebrating your long in the tooth, soon to be graduates.

The Brit shined bright in finding the back of the net four times while assisting once, earning three Draw Controls and intercepting a pass. If you are wondering how a team player operates, you need go no further than Dixon. She almost does it to a fault as she continues to look for the next pass, when taking the shot would appear to be the better decision. A team player can be described as a talented player who tries to get her teammates involved in the game. Look up 'team player' in the dictionary and you'll see Ashleigh's face.

With under two minutes to play and The Woodlands up by the slimmest of margins, 12-11 and in control of the ball, Coach Amy Markwort called for the team to settle the ball down to allow the clock to run out. Lo and behold, precocious frosh, Marin Nordenstam took a pass from netminder, Jesse Cole deep in defensive territory. With Markwort calling for her to slow the ball down, Nordenstam proceeded to go coast to coast, sprinting past the speedy Cy Fair defense and her own teammates, only to arrive at the Cy Fair goal taking a seeing eye shot that found twine, stick side high. It was the classic 'coach speak' moment as Markwort was yelling, 'NO-NO-NO-SETTLE-SETTLE-SETTLE...NICE SHOT MARIN.' Needless to say, Nordenstam's shot iced the game for the Lady Highlanders.

For the graduating seniors, EG Traweek, Devon Suess, Grace Renaud, Aly Petty, Mackenzie Kulick AKA Kool-Whip and EB Billig the festivities following the game were...to put it mildly an emotional celebration as all six will be deeply missed.

EG's helter-skelter style of play won't be seen again at The Woodlands High School anytime soon. Her complete disregard for her body (and anyone else's) while hustling for a ground ball have been quite the sight to see.

Devon's leadership abilities and obvious athleticism will be sorely missed. She has one speed all game long. The pedal is always to the metal in Suess's world...A world everyone wants to exist in.

Grace wasn't an official captain at the beginning of the season, but rest assured knowing that by the end of the season, she is definitely a captain. She's quite the tough customer, too as she took a stick check to the face during a practice and didn't miss a beat. Grace helps coach the 5th-6th grade team as she is already giving back to the game of lacrosse.

Kool-Whip coaches with Grace as well which is further testament to her love and passion for the game. KW is easily one of the most reliable players on the team. Most players will have a sub-standard game at some point during a season. Albeit, I have never heard anyone say she's had a bad game. One of the most consistent players in Lady Highlander history, it will be impossible to fill Kool-Whips shoes.

Aly Petty AKA Miss Postgame Speech is one of the most enthusiastic players on the team. She is Coach Markwort's 'go to' defensive player when an opposing player needs to be face guarded. This is something Aly does better than anyone in Texas lacrosse history. Picture an overly possessive and untrusting wife sticking to her man like glue throughout the day and you'll have Petty.

Last and certainly not least is Co-Captain, EB Billig. Where you could look up 'team player' and find Dixon, you could look up the term 'textbook defense' and find EB. Never will you see a defensive player display better position. Her speeches on bus trips will never be duplicated as in, 'Ladies, we have ten minutes until we are at the field. Get your hair up, etc...etc...etc... Her post-game PDA moment with her prom date will almost be as memorable.

Grace Renaud shared her thoughts on her team's play of late...

'I am really proud how our team is finishing out our season and the discipline we keep during the games. We have put in so much work during practices and it’s shown with our last three wins. Our last two minutes during the Cy-Fair game was a perfect example of “finding our chaos” Coach Amy taught us and was the perfect end to Senior Night. Being able to play with this team has produced some of the best times on my life. I am sad to leave them, but I can’t wait to see how they continue to show their skills in the coming seasons.'

Kool-Whip's post-game comments...

'I can truly say this game was won because of our grit and determination to play as an effective unit. I am ecstatic that we were able to bring home another win on Senior Night! Some of the best times of my life have been spent playing with this team.'

Others contributing to the win over Cy Fair...

Rayne Dobson had two goals, an assist, seven Draw Controls, two Caused Turnovers and an interception. Adrienne Drickamer continues her consistent play giving Coach Markwort an additional option. Her sudden death winner in the JV game allowed the team to end the season undefeated. G Hermann has stepped up her game and is presently playing the best lacrosse of her life. She contributed a goal, an assist, a Ground Ball and a Caused Turnover. Katelyn Hua contributed some valuable minutes and can be relied on to never turn the ball over. Lola Kiliddjian had a Ground Ball and a Caused Turnover. The talented Mia Kouletsis had a goal, two assists, a Ground Ball and a Caused Turnover. Her dodges are the stuff of legend as she continues to make defenders wish she just stayed in New York. Kulick was all over the field making her presence known. The defense this young woman displays should be exhibited at the next level or it'll be a crime. Nordenstam had a goal, two Ground Balls and a Caused Turnover. Aly Petty had two Caused Turnovers. Renaud's game can never be measured in stats as she contributes nine ways to Sunday every game. Suess had two goals, a Draw Control and a Caused Turnover. Traweek had two goals a Ground Ball and a Caused Turnover. Syd Spartz and Meredith Hunter are waiting in the wings and ready when given the call. The team misses Liberty Hasselgren as she is in Concussion Protocol.

Goaltender, Jesse Cole continues to shine as she made 18 saves on the evening to go along with countless successful clearing passes. Her interceptions bring about much needed change of possessions every time out. What is best about Cole? She always feels she should be doing better.

The backbone of the operation is head coach, Amy Markwort. She will NEVER take anything away from the players as she believes the girls deserve every ounce of the credit. Her support and obvious sincere relationship with the players are helping to make the team a cohesive unit. Amy's best quality? Her work ethic. The players aside, no one works harder!

The Woodlands will find out who their first-round playoff opponent will be after Thursday night.

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