Over the next several weeks, the Rochester Knighthawks will be front and center on the local high school lacrosse scene as part of a weekly series that will feature the latest news and notes, scores and stats of select games around the Greater Rochester Area.
This week’s High School Game of the Week features the Brighton Bruins (2-4) (1-2) playing host to Penfield Patriots (4-4) (1-1) in girls lacrosse action on Monday.
The Bruins come into Monday’s matchup having dropped each of their last four games after starting the campaign with a pair of victories. Sitting at 2-4 overall and 1-1 in section play to start the season, Brighton is tied for sixth amongst Class B schools. During the Bruins’ four-game skid, which includes an 11-10 overtime defeat, the team has been outscored 50-24. They started the season having outscored opponents 36-11 through their first two contests.
Senior Elise Murphy, who was named to D&C All-Greater Rochester Super 16 Team in 2022, currently leads all Bruins in goals (13), assists (7) and points (20) in five games. The Stanford University commit has scored at least one goal in four of her five appearances this season and opened the slate with three straight hat-tricks and back-to-back six-point outings.
Junior Lucy Lederman (10+1) and sophomore Ireland Mistretta (5+3), both of whom were named to the All-League Second Team last year, have produced 11 and eight points, respectively, in four games.
Sophomore goaltender Lauren Russell enters the matchup showing a 2-3 record. In 15 career games, Russell has a combined 6-9 record and has allowed less than four goals six times. Senior netminder Logan Hiller (1+1) has appeared in two games, making three saves in 45 minutes. During the 2022 season, Hiller posted a perfect 4-0 record and registered five saves in 136 minutes.
Brighton is entering the head-to-head series against Penfield having won five of the last six games since 2019, which includes both games last spring. Each of the previous three contests between the two schools have gone beyond regulation.
Head coach Richard Curtis has been coaching since 1996 and has assistants Steve Lawrence and Ellie Hilling joining him on the field. Under Curtis’ leadership, Brighton has claimed 14 section champions and the school’s only state championship in 2005. Curtis has had seven players be honored as US Lacrosse All-Americans and 27 be named to the US Lacrosse All-Academic teams.
Other notable Brighton girl’s alumni that a currently playing in college include; Eleanor Burns (William Smith) – McKenzie Harris (Syracuse) – Susan Lafountain (University of Connecticut) – Katie Lederman (George Washington University) – Meghan Marangola (Harvard) – Delaney McManus (Albany) – Jamie McPherson (Marist) – Katherine Murray (Hobart William Smith) – Shannon Oberst (John Carroll University) – Charlotte Sadler (Coastal Carolina) – Rae Strazdins (Monmouth University).
After beginning the spring winners of three of its four games, Penfield suffered three straight losses. The Patriots earned a 9-7 victory last Wednesday over Schroeder to even their record for the year to 4-4. Penfield, who graduated five seniors that received postseason accolades last spring, has outscored its opposition 81-58 in eight games, which includes a pair of 17-goal games.
Freshman Peyton Rothfuss leads all Patriots with a career-high 23 goals and 32 points in eight games. Last year as an eighth grader, Rothfuss finished with 17 goals, 16 assists and 33 points in 10 contests.
Junior Emersyn Mathis (7+15), sophomore Jenna Capozzi (4+10) each have posted 22 points while senior Grace Rund (16+1) is the fourth Penfield player to reach double figures in points.
Eighth grade Karis Hand (4-4) and senior Sarah Herko (3-1) have split the goaltending duties this season for the Patriots. Hand has made 39 saves in 340 minutes. During the 2022 campaign, Herko showed a perfect 4-0 mark, allowing nine goals in 81 minutes.
Head coach Dave York has been coaching since 2007 and has assistants Maddy Haggerty and Jess Giancursio joining him on the field. York has helped Brighton claim four of the schools five section championships and have seen six players be named to the US Lacrosse All-Americans. Additionally, 41 players have been selected as US Lacrosse All-Academic Team under York’s leadership.
Other notable Penfield girl’s alumni that a currently playing in college include; Chelsea Akins (Quinnipiac University) – Katie Baumer (University of Akron) – Sarah Baumer (University of Akron) – Shannon Burdick (John Carroll) – Delaney Cassidy (Hobart William Smith) – Celia Dow (Central Michigan) – Danyele Emler (Youngstown State) – Elisa Faklaris (Loyola Maryland) – Molly Joyce (Vanderbilt) – Madigan Lublin (Rutgers University) – Megan Motkowski (Hofstra) – Sydney Nakas (West Chester) – Sheila Nesselbush (Northwestern) – Tabby Truelson (Kings College).
