HS Girls Lacrosse: Vero Beach defeated by St. Thomas Aquinas in 2A state finals

KISSIMMEE — St. Thomas Aquinas outscored Vero Beach 12-3 over the game’s final 27 minutes to record a 17-9 win in the FHSAA Class 2A Girls Lacrosse Championship Saturday at the Austin-Tindall Park Complex.

Vero Beach (16-2) was forced to play the entire game with freshman goalie Paige Medlin. She replaced Joy Coffey, the team's all-star goalie who was injured in the semifinal win over Bartram Trail on Friday night.

Despite her inexperience, Medlin more than held her own in the first half with several big saves. Despite St. Thomas jumping on top 2-0, Medlin and Vero Beach actually controlled much of the first-half action. In fact, Emily Adams and Ana Horvit scored twice in the half, with Horvit’s second score at the 1:36 mark giving the Indians a 6-3 lead.

But things would begin to unravel for Vero even before the halftime whistle came. Ava Yavino and Ella Bartlett each scored goals in the final 70 seconds as St. Thomas closed to within one at halftime, 6-5.

The second half was all St. Thomas.

Controlling possession and keeping constant pressure on Vero Beach, the Raiders would score five of the next six goals and take a 10-7 lead. Alex Vega would cut the lead to 10-8 on a free position shot after a foul, but Sophia Guttman and Ella Bartlett each scored in the ensuing minute to push the lead back to four at 12-8.

“St. Thomas’ experience just caught up to us,” Vero Beach Coach Shannon Dean said. “You can’t replace an all-star goalie like Joy with a junior varsity player and expect the same results. But I’m so proud of the effort all these kids put in. They have faced adversity all year and we lost three starters during the regular season and then the unfortunate incident last night but these kids never quit. “

Yovino scored a game-high five goals and Taylor Bank added three for the Raiders, who finished 13-1 on the season. Vero Beach got three goals each from Adams and Vega. Medlin finished the game with six saves.