Girls lacrosse preview: Medina again expected to have strong season

While the Medina girls lacrosse team marched to the regional semifinals and maintained its perch atop the Greater Cleveland Conference last season, 2024 marked a rebuilding year for the rest of Medina County's teams. The Bees should be poised for another strong season as they go for a ninth consecutive GCC crown and the county's three other teams should be much improved as well. Wadsworth looks to take the next step under second-year coach Camdyn Brady after being the only other county school to win a tournament game in 2024. Brunswick has a lot more experience to go with its talent this year and hopes that extra time to jell will lead to more success. Highland has seen its program bloom in just its third year, with 33 players in the high school program and more than 60 at the youth level. Coach Todd Barnett believes it's only a matter of time before that growth leads to more on-field success. Here's a closer look at the county's four teams: Brunswick Coach: Kolbie Spagnolo (8th season, 44-64-2 record). Last season: 5-12, 1-4 Greater Cleveland Conference (5th GCC). Letterwinners: Addie Burns (G, sr.), Abby Karim (M, sr.), Mia DeFazio (A, sr.), Brooke Gelhar (M, jr.), Ryleigh Vlcek (A, jr.), Grace Chernow (D, sr.), Reese Damron (D, jr.), Abbi Vollar (D, jr.), Peyton Elish (D, jr.). Newcomers: Samantha McGuire (M, jr.), Mirian Azap (D, jr.), Svetlana Milanovic (A, so.), Lindsey Roman (A, so.), Chloe Kash (M, fr.), Cameron Elish (M, fr.), Ella Richard (M, fr.) Noteworthy: Led by Karim, Gelhar and Vlcek in the midfield, the Blue Devils should be creative and multiple in their attack this season while working to wear down defenses. l Burns returns as an athletic and dynamic player in goal for Brunswick. Highland Coach: Todd Barnett (3rd season, 9-19-1). Last season: 7-11, 2-6 Suburban League (5th SL). Letterwinners: Emma Walter (D, sr.), Lauren Finding (D, sr.), Nora McCarthy (D, sr.), Brianna Ciphers (D, sr.), Allison Ricco (D, sr.), Olivia Hixson (A, sr.), Riley Beyer (A/M, sr.), Miley Tylicki (A, jr.), Marley Carter (G, jr.), Annie Barnett (M, jr.), Karli Schneider (M, jr.), Gracie Metzger (A/M, jr.), Olivia Schulte (A, jr.), Delaney Slyder (A/M, jr.), Lilly Pepera (G, so.), Vanessa Demming (M, so.), Vega Kray (D, so.), Chloe Falconer (D, so.), Peyton Kouvaras (D, so.), Kate Schneider (A, so.). Newcomers: Audrey Messina (A/M, fr.), Lily Genders (A/M, fr.). Noteworthy: In their third season as a program, the Hornets move from club to varsity status. l After going from two wins to seven from 2023 to 2024, Todd Barnett expects Highland to continue to increase its success behind a strong midfield. Medina Coach: Colleen Bodkin (8th season, 87-48-1). Last season: 13-7, 5-0 Greater Cleveland Conference (1st GCC). Letterwinners: Maggie O'Neill (G, sr.), Ryleigh Goldmeier (A/G, sr.), Julia Kraft (D/M, sr.), Madilyn Van Drei (D, sr.), Lauren Krajzel (M, sr.), Carmella Colon (A, sr.), Emma Gierhart (D, jr.), Campbell Burns (M, jr.), Avery Rimke (A, jr.), Kaitlin Frimel (A, jr.), Molly Gilbert (D, so.), Kayla Stevens (D, so.), Audrey Thompson (M, so.), Maddie Dawson (A, so.), Hannah Lincoln (A, so.). Newcomers: Emma Kohler (D, fr.). Noteworthy: The Bees begin the season with a spring break trip to South Carolina and North Carolina as they look to get fully healthy and acclimated to a number of players filling new roles. l Medina has won eight consecutive Greater Cleveland Conference championships. Wadsworth Coach: Camdyn Brady (2nd season, 4-11). Last season: 4-11, 2-6 Suburban League (5th SL). Letterwinners: Alivia Lalli (A, sr.), Kara Dallas (D, sr.), Haley Patrick (D, sr.), Addy Painting (D, sr.), Chloe Piekarski (A, sr.), Reagan Riggenbach (D, sr.), Emma Lynn (M, sr.), Addy Cyrus (G, jr.), Kendal Kereszturi (A, jr.), Ella Swires (M, jr.), Nora Love (D, so.), Newcomers: Peyton Deemer (A, so.), Ashley Fleck (A, so.), Stella Robinson (D, so.), Kaitlin McGrath (M, so.), Rylin Davis (M, so.), Paige Ross (M, fr.), Brooke Pinkerton (D, fr.), Jillian Jones (A, fr.), Emily Kerstetter (A, fr.), Saege Mendham (G, fr.). Noteworthy: The focus for the Grizzlies so far has been integrating those new to varsity into the system and continuing to learn the systems offensively and defensively. l Wadsworth is looking to build on some positive momentum after winning two of its last five games last spring, including a first-round tournament game. Contact John Urchek at jurchek@medina-gazette.com.