SV senior scores 8 goals in 13-7 lacrosse win
JACKSON TWP — It was not a breakout game for Payton Riddle. The Seneca Valley senior midfielder is averaging over six goals per game this season.
She did so eight times Thursday night, leading the Raiders to a 13-7 girls lacrosse victory over Butler at NexTier Stadium.
“That’s been Payton since the first time I saw her,” said veteran SV coach Katie Smolter. “She gives 110 percent effort all the time, never gives up on anything and her energy level matches it.
“She makes the players around her better and that creates a successful environment within the team.”
Riddle and teammate Sarah Cyphers set the tone against the Golden Tornado, both scoring twice less than five minutes into the game.
By the end of the first half, Riddle’s five goals paced SV (7-2, 5-2) to an 8-2 lead.
“We did a good job of working the ball around, passing to a lot of different players,” said Riddle, who is a big reason why the Raiders are on the verge of returning to the WPIAL Class 3A playoffs after missing the postseason in 2021. “We were playing as individuals last year. This year, we’re working better as a team.”
Butler (4-8, 2-7) made a run early in the second half, receiving goals from four different players — Evelynn Vissari, Alana Collins, Vanessa Drohan and Piper Geibel — to cut its deficit to 10-6 with 12:31 left in the game.
“We started winning the draw,” said Butler coach Bob Conklin said. “You do that, you have a much better chance of scoring.”
“We were getting antsy, had some breakdowns in communication,” said Smolter of her team’s allowing of four goals in under 13 minutes of play. “But our defense is our best unit. It’s the reason we’ve won most of our games.”
SV’s defense rebounded, surrendering just one goal, Collins’ score aided by free position with 4:29 remaining, for the duration of the game.
Cyphers added four goals in the win. Drohan, Vissari and Collins each scored twice for Butler.
Shannon Jenkins stopped five shots in net for the Raiders while her counterpart, Tornado goalie Lauren LeGrand, had 14 saves. Four of her stops came on attempts following free position for SV in the first half.
“She was fantastic tonight,” Conklin said of his goalie. “She always makes a lot of saves and keeps us in games.
“She started last year as a freshman, but is a lot quicker this year. She’s also a hockey goalie and that helps.”
Butler hosts Conneaut on Saturday while SV travels to Freeport Tuesday.
