Manuel sparks Golden Tornado victory
BUTLER TWP — It was fitting that a senior led the Butler girls lacrosse team's victory Monday night.
Liz Manuel played the part well.
The attacker tallied five goals and two assists to pace the Golden Tornado to a 12-7 win over Erie McDowell on Senior Night at Art Bernardi Stadium.
"She really stepped it up tonight, especially after they took the goal off of her," said Butler coach Annie Succop, who was referring to a goal Manuel appeared to score just before the end of the first half.
It would've been her third of the game and given Butler a 6-3 lead at the break, but the referee said Manuel released the shot after the half ended.
"It definitely came before the end of the half," said Manuel. "You know how you feel when something happens a certain way? I know that goal was good."
All she did in the second half was score three goals, including the one that actually put the Tornado up 6-3 with less than two minutes off the clock.
"I couldn't have asked for a better way to go out on Senior Night, my last home game," said Manuel. "I guess I could've had six goals, but I'll take it."
Two other seniors, Amanda Huey (3 goals) and Chelsey Rock (2), also had strong games offensively.
Brittney Miller and Kathryn Hitchan also scored for Butler (8-7, 3-4).
McDowell (3-5) was able to stay with the Tornado early, as the teams alternated the first six goals.
But the Tornado scored the final two goals of the half, with Manuel assisting Huey on the first and scoring the second herself for a 5-3 lead.
After McDowell answered Manuel's goal early in the second half with a tally from Ali Stubbs, Butler scored the next six and took a commanding 12-4 lead with less than two minutes remaining in the game.
"I think the girls knew they could play better," said Succop. "And the seniors did not want to leave Senior Night without a win."
"It was just us pulling together as a team in the second half," said Manuel.
McDowell senior goalie Gina Sturgeon stopped 17 of 29 shots.
"She's played phenomenal all season for us," said Trojans coach David Dexter. "We just missed too many passes in the middle of the field, lost too many ground balls. Turnovers are a key part of the game."
Cara Moses tallied nine saves for Butler.
Playing their final home game for Butler were seniors Rachel Calhoun, Brianna Harvey, Amanda Huey, Liz Manuel, Brynn Maxwell, Chelsey Rock and Blaikley Thompson.
"This year's seniors were freshmen my first season, so it's a special group for me," said Succop.
Butler will close the season at Knoch Thursday.
