Getting out to a quick start is key in any competition. It’s always better to be ahead and have control of the game, rather than having to worry about coming from behind.

Glenbrook South’s girls lacrosse team came out of the gates roaring in its game against Lake Forest Thursday, April 28, scoring on a goal from junior attacker Lindsey Karsh, who sat out all of last year with double ACL tears in each knee, 30 seconds into the game.

The Titans wouldn’t look back and cruised to a 15-7 win over the visiting Scouts.

“Today’s weather was worse, but this cold temperature makes catching and throwing more difficult because you’re more tense and trying to get warm,” Glenbrook South midfielder Sarah McDonagh said. “What I think was more difficult was we played yesterday and not having that extra day to practice and get to know what the opposing team does, but I think we adjust well and learn how to play the game’s tempo.”

GBS took over after Karsh’s goal, dominating play and not allowing the Scouts to get into much of an offensive rhythm. McDonagh scored three of her four first-half goals in a three-minute span, giving the Titans (9-6) an early 4-0 lead, one Lake Forest wouldn’t be able to overcome.

“My teammates do an amazing job, opening the paths for me to go through and all the stuff they give me I kind of just put my head down and just go,’’ McDonagh said. “It’s the mentality that I have, that has been instilled in me on when to go and when not but I’m also trying to move the goalie to make sure I don’t shoot it into their stick.”

The Scouts got their first real scoring chance on sophomore Kara Antonucci’s goal at the 11:35 mark of the first half, but weren’t able to take advantage of any momentum that may have created. Nine of the Scouts’ 19 players on the roster are sophomores and the squad only has one senior. The team started six sophomores on the night.

Lake Forest wasn’t able to gain any momentum because the Titans scored four goals in the next seven minutes to extend their lead to 8-1. McDonagh added her fourth goal and Karsh added her second, while Perri Stewart and Mary McPhilliamy added their first goals of the game.

Lake Forest was able to cut the lead to 8-2 at the half on a restart goal by Ginger Leonardi with 1:14 remaining.

GBS continued its dominance to start the second half, getting three shots at Lake Forest goalie Mary Doheny in the first 3:44 of the second half and converting two. Eleanor Walsh and Greer Bireley got the scoring started in the half.

Lake Forest (7-5) looked as if it would start a comeback when Libby Thompson and Tori Salanty scored back-to-back goals in a two-minute span. During Thompson’s goal,she came from her defensive position to fly down the field and fire a shot past the goalie.

“Being on the defensive end gives me a lot of room to run up the field and my coach knows that I can get back from attack to defense quickly,” Thompson said. “I like being able to play everywhere, being able to start the plays and then if I have the opportunity to score, I go for it. Otherwise if I can set someone else up, I’m happy to do that.”

Karsh and McDonagh would add one goal apiece to stop the small Scout run and ruin any hopes Lake Forest had of mounting a comeback.

Thompson, a junior, streaked down the field and replicated her previous goal by taking it from one side of the field and scoring easily. Antonucci, who has committed to play at Arizona State, added her second goal soon after. Erica Jones scored the final Lake Forest goal with 2:50 remaining.

Annabel Eigel, Meghan Zeivel and McDonagh, who is set to play at San Diego State next season, rounded out the scoring for the Titans.

“My sophomore year I played defense, but between my sophomore year and junior year I moved to attack my coaches were able to help make the transition smoother,” McDonagh said. “I never thought it’d get me a college scholarship, especially since I didn’t start playing until my freshman year. But I’m so thankful they got me into the sport.”

– See more at: http://www.glenviewlantern.com/high-school/digital-exclusive-titans-girls-lacrosse-dominates-scouts-blowout#sthash.RhbHbNHt.dpuf