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Girls Lacrosse: Motivated Pera guides New Trier past Lake Forest
Updated: May 30, 2012 10:40PM
Ever since losing to Loyola in late April, Gini Pera and New Trier have been waiting for another opportunity at the three-time defending state champions.
The Trevians’ 19-4 win over Lake Forest in the state semifinals Wednesday at North Central College gave them that chance.
“This is a big deal,” said Pera, a four-year varsity veteran who has one more shot at her first state title. “We want to embrace it. We want to show people New Trier has the ability to win it.”
New Trier is looking to end Loyola’s three-year championship run and win its first state title since 2008.
“We’re excited,” said New Trier coach Pete Collins, whose club lost 11-10 to Loyola on April 27. “Every possession will be important. When we have the ball on offense, we have to be patient. We want to keep the ball away from Loyola.”
The Trevians (23-2) had no trouble with the short-handed Scouts, who were without Isabelle Montagne. The sophomore and team’s best player was sidelined with a shoulder injury.
Pera scored the team’s first two goals, and New Trier led 10-1 with 8:12 to go in the first half on its way to a sixth consecutive victory. Pera scored twice more to end the first half and trigger the running clock. She finished with five goals.
Kelsey Murray, the state’s leading scorer, also scored five goals.
Amanda McMahon and Kate Hurst scored for Lake Forest (18-3) in the first half. Brenna Carberry and Emily George added goals in the second half.
