Rix nets six as Garden City wins sixth straight girls lacrosse title
Garden City defender Kate Butcher (2) joins her teammates in celebration after their 17-7 victory over Rocky Point in the Class B Long Island championship at Dowling Sports Complex. (June 6, 2010) Credit: James A. Escher
That sound you heard coming from the north was not from approaching thunderstorms, but rather a collective groan from upstate after the rest of Class B heard the news:
Garden City girls lacrosse is heading back to Cortland.
Mikaela Rix had six goals, Shannon Mangini had four goals and Caroline Tarzian three goals and three assists Sunday as the Trojans captured their sixth straight Long Island championship with a 17-7 victory over Rocky Point at Dowling. The win was Garden City's 25th in a row.
Garden City (19-0) resumes its quest for a fifth straight state title Friday at noon against upstate Canandaigua (19-1) at SUNY Cortland.
"We just wanted to get upstate," Rix said.
Added Tarzian: "We really wanted to come out and take it. We know they're a great team."
It's true. Rocky Point (18-2), which was led by Caitlin Gargan's three goals and two assists, had a tremendous season. The Eagles came into the game ranked in the top 20 nationally and ranked second in Class B in New York state. Rocky Point had lost only once, by two goals.
Garden City, though, is on another level.
The Trojans led 11-2 at halftime and first reached the required 10-goal margin for running time two minutes into the second half.
"I think we all just know that you pass and shoot and score," Rix said. "Everyone on our attack can score."
Rix rattled off half a dozen names capable of leading at any time. Seven different players - Rix, Mangini, Tarzian, Alex Bruno, Katie D'Antonio, Barbara Sullivan and Krista Dampman - have led GC in scoring this year.
Expect those names to fill the boxscore again in Cortland, where last season, Garden City won its two games by a combined score of 26-11. Still, the Trojans say they are taking nothing for granted.
"Everyone gets nervous," Rix said. "It's the state Final Four . . . We're never satisfied."
Never satisfied and never tired of winning.
"I don't think it's different at all," Tarzian said. "Every year is just as good as the last one."
