By Donald Heath

Special for the Effingham Herald

SPRINGFIELD – The lacrosse season started a little rough for Effingham County’s girls. March 1, they turned things around in the home opener against Savannah Christian.

Olivia Morgan scored 10 seconds into the game and the Rebels, a state participant a year ago, breezed to a 14-1 win.

Megan Coleman had five goals. Morgan three and Michaela Gordy, Gracie LaFleur and Ava Deloach two apiece as ECHS evened its record at 1-1.

“We have a lot of returners and a strong group of new players,” Rebels coach Alison Lawson said. “To say we’re at the same level where we ended last year isn’t quite right, but I think we’ll be at that level in the next few weeks and I hope by the end of the season we’ll be past that level.”

Last season, ECHS won a school single-season record 11 games, placed second in its Area and played its most competitive game at the state tournament to date before falling to Midtown 17-13.

The Rebels return a potent offense led by Morgan and Coleman – two of the best goal-scoring finishers in the area.

But ECHS couldn’t finish much when it started its 2025 season with a 15-5 loss at Hilton Head Island High School.

And with Savannah Christian entering Springfield with a 2-0 record and averaging 15 goals a game … Last year, the Raiders were problematic, but the Rebels held on for a 10-8 win.

“Playing them right out of the gate, I wasn’t sure what to expect,” Lawson said. “Last year, it was a little closer. I was proud of our team. We communicated well. The girls were hustling and they were trying to fix mistakes. They didn’t let up.

An efficient offensive display restored order. ECHS had a 3-0 lead 3 ½ minutes into the game and put it away with a three-goal barrage (one by Gordy and two by Coleman) within 52 seconds of the second quarter, turning a 4-1 lead into 7-1.

The Rebels scored the final 11 goals of the game.

Goalies Cerenity Shell and Carlee Fleming combined for three saves.

Katie Heavener had the lone goal for the Raiders.

Lawson coached five seasons (2017-2021) at Savannah Christian, but said the excitement of her annual reunion with the Raiders has begun to fade.

SCPS and ECHS both compete in GHSA’s Division 2, Area 4.

“Two years ago, it was hard for me, shaking hands with the girls and saying sorry about your loss (twice, 20-5 Rebel wins),” Lawson said. “It’s beginning to be a little less special every year because most of the girls I coached there have graduated.”