Lakeside girls rebound to dispatch lacrosse rival

Bailey Green thought she was done with lacrosse when she moved from Pennsylvania to Georgia before eighth grade.

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The Lakeside sophomore, who had grown up playing lacrosse in a region where the sport is adored, was surprised to find a local program.

"I was really shocked when I moved down here," Green said. "I was expecting to have to quit."

Wrapping up their third season, Lakeside girls lacrosse, and lacrosse in the Augusta area, is thriving.

The Panthers girls beat Greenbrier 16-5 on Monday in the final girls home game in the area this season.

Green, who has been one of the Panthers' top players, was cleared the day of the game after missing time with a pulled muscle. She contributed a goal against the Wolfpack, but wasn't needed much more than that.

Junior Alisa Sacino and freshman Abby Harrover scored four goals each to lead the Panthers, who held off an early Greenbrier charge to sweep their county rivals.

The Wolfpack jumped to a 2-0 lead, and led 3-1 less than 10 minutes into the first half.

But Lakeside scored the last six goals of the first half and poured it on from there.

"They were just coming down really fast and were really intense the first few minutes," Panthers goalie April Heard said. "I think it kind of shocked us."

The Wolfpack shocked Lakeside to end the 2008 season, winning their first game ever against the Panthers. In its second season, Greenbrier closed with an identical record (1-7) to the year before.

Wolfpack coach Mark Leszczynski said his team was making strides, evidenced by its strong start against the Panthers.

"They passed better and they were moving the ball more efficiently," Leszcynski said. "We just didn't get enough shots on goal. We're still working on our offense."

Lakeside closed the season Friday at Marist. The Panthers needed a win to earn a playoff berth, which would be a first for the program.