After guiding the Westerville South High School boys soccer team to a Division I district title last fall, Wynleux Henderson is hoping to bring a spark to the girls lacrosse program as its new coach.

Henderson replaced Brad Shaffer, who stepped down after one season in which the Wildcats finished 0-18 overall and 0-7 in the OCC-Buckeye Division.

“The opportunity presented itself and I was more than happy to coach the team and try to establish some new standards and set some goals,” Henderson said.

South earned its first win since 2016 by defeating Buckeye Valley 8-3 on March 24. Earlier in the day, the Wildcats lost to Pickerington Central 15-0.

“The win against Buckeye Valley is a testament to the changing culture and mindset of the girls lacrosse program at South,” Henderson said. “It was great to see our players bounce back after two tough games against great opponents and finally reap the benefits of the hard work they’ve put in up until this point.

“We all understand that this win is a small accomplishment in the grand scheme of things, which motivates us to strive to improve on all of the little things throughout the year.”

Junior Bella Pillow scored three goals and sophomore Jordan Pettway added two against Buckeye Valley. Both players will see time on the attack, in the midfield and on defense.

Freshman goalkeeper Nylenn Green had seven saves in the game.

South opened March 20 with a 15-1 loss to Delaware and begins league play April 11 against Westerville North.

In addition to Pettway and Pillow, returnees include seniors Francie Gordish (defender/midfielder) and Grazia Santos (goalie/attacker) and juniors Jaylen Berdin (midfielder/att-acker), Cindy Nguyen (midfielder/attacker) and Tuyen Quan (midfielder/attacker/def-ender).

Also back are sophomores Andrea Garcia (midfielder/att-acker), Ava Montemarano (midfielder/attacker) and Claudia Santino (attacker).

“The whole atmosphere and attitude of the team has changed,” Gordish said. “We’re more structured. Everything is so much better and together. Everyone is coordinated. We’re overall improving everywhere.”

Other players are senior Victoria Esparza (midfielder/attack-er), juniors Itzia Centeno (midfielder/attacker), Payton Glassco (goalie/attacker), Gabriella Pesce (midfielder/attacker), Stephanie Sheridan (midfielder/attacker) and Kaitlyn Shaner (defender) and freshmen Emily Huynh (midfielder), Sky Nguyen (defender/midfielder), Morgan Pillow (defender/midfielder), Sabrina Pesce (midfielder/def-ender) and Carizjah Wright (midfielder/attacker).

“It’s a mentality change (and) it’s a culture change because we’re setting specific things to do before we practice, throughout practice and at the end of it,” Henderson said. “I like where we’re at. We have a lot of room to grow. The one good thing is not many people expect a lot out of our team other than the 22 players and the coaching staff, which is great.”

At a glance

GIRLS LACROSSE

*Coach: Wynleux Henderson, first season

*Top players: Francie Gordish, Jordan Pettway, Bella Pillow and Grazia Santos

*Key losses: Taylor McCoy and Taylor Robinson

*Last season: 0-18 overall

*2017 OCC-Buckeye standings: New Albany (7-0), Liberty (6-1), Olentangy (5-2), Orange (4-3), Central (3-4), North (2-5), Big Walnut (1-6), South (0-7)

*2017 postseason: Lost to Wads-worth 14-3 in first round of Division I, Region 1 tournament

Full Article: https://www.thisweeknews.com/sports/20180327/south-roundup-girls-squad-striving-for-turnaround