Women’s Lacrosse Snags Top Honors
The Herald-Mail (Hagerstown, Maryland) has named Gwen Buss ’07 its Girls Lacrosse Player of the Year and faculty member Susan Hutchins its Girls Lacrosse Coach of the Year.  The accolades come following a tremendous 12-3 season, the best record in the history of the program. The Blue Storm women’s lacrosse team was undefeated in non-league play (10-0) and finished 2-3 in the MAPL (Mid-Atlantic Prep League).

Over the 2007 season, the team outscored its opponents 192-89 and averaged 13 goals per game to their opponents' six. “This team was solid end to end,” said Hutchins. “I believe in mastering the fundamentals first. I wanted us to be the team that makes good passes, controls the ball, and shoots a lot—I think we did that.”

Hutchins and Buss both said that defeating defending MAPL champion Hill was the highlight of the season. “Beating Hill School was awesome,” said the first-year head coach. “The win was pivotal for the season and for our team. We are seen as solid competitors in the league and the Hill win gave us a big boost of confidence for this year and next year.”

Buss agreed with her coach. “Beating Hill proved to us that we can compete in the MAPL. The win put us on the map,” she said.

Buss, who has been swimming since age 7 and did not pick up a lacrosse stick until her freshman year, said that putting time in after practice is what helped her game the most. The proof is in the numbers—Buss set a school record for goals in a single season (58), led the team in assists, and ranked second on the team in ground balls. This is the first time The Herald-Mail has chosen a Player of the Year and a Coach of the Year for women’s lacrosse.

Mercersburg dominated The Herald Mail’s All-Area Girls Lacrosse Team. Buss was joined on the team by Addie Crawford ’07, Jenn Dillon ’09, Mary Lancaster ’08, and Jenelle Paolini ’07.

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