Naples Fl- Madison Stevens blocked three consecutive shots in the final seconds of the Class 2A state championship game versus St. Thomas Aquanis, to bring home the 2022-2023 state title. It is the second consecutive championship for the Bears in Lacrosse. Aquinas finished (11-9) while Bartram Trail ended the season at (19-4).
The 5-4 win over St. Thoams was lowest scoring championship game in history. Credit should go to the Stevens and the Bears defense. She finished with 17 saves in the contest.
Ryann Frechette scoed three goals in the first half to give Bartram a 3-2 lead. However, Aquanis would respond when Haley Farmer tied the game with a goal.
Tied 3-3, St Thomas would pull ahead thanks to a Taylor Bank’s goal. Trailing by a score of 4-3, Bartram would make a come back.
Adrionna Ferrera would score to tie the game, and then amazingly with the go ahead goal as Bartram took a 5-4 lead late in the game. This contest looked much different than the match earlier in the season when Bartram bested Aquinas 17-2 with offense. However, Stevens and company found a way to win with defense this time, showing how a complete team handles business.
Megan Jackowiak and her team made history as the only area team to go back to back in Lacrosse as champions. Losing eight Seniors and still navigating back to the championship and winning is almost unheard of in Prep sports. Yet, Bartram did it, going back to back.
