Guerin Catholic’s Caroline Ford scored seven goals for the Golden Eagles during their season-opening win over Carmel on Thursday. (Mike Navarro)
By RICHIE HALL
Carmel’s Ellie Espey scored two goals. (Mike Navarro)
The Guerin Catholic and Carmel girls lacrosse teams opened their seasons by playing each other Thursday at the Golden Eagles’ field.
The two teams have met for the Class 2A state championship for the past four years, with the Greyhounds winning the last two. But Guerin Catholic was the winner to begin the 2026 campaign, using a late surge to beat Carmel 13-6.
“The girls were anxious to play, because we haven’t played anybody yet, so it was great to get out there the first time,” said GC coach Joe Bellflower.
Guerin Catholic trailed 2-1 after the first quarter, then led 5-4 at halftime. The Golden Eagles went up 6-4 early in the third before Carmel came back to tie at 6-6.
After that, it was all Guerin Catholic, as the Golden Eagles scored the game’s last seven goals. Caroline Ford, a star player for GC last season and still only a junior, contributed to that run by pouring in five of those goals.
“I think they really stepped up in the second half and I think we took over,” said Bellflower. “They ran a really tough zone for us, which we struggled with in the first half. But once we figured it out, I think that was the difference.”
Ford finished the game with seven goals. She has committed to play lacrosse at Temple University.
“She’s obviously the best athlete out on the field there,” said Bellflower. “She’s a big difference-maker.”
Senior Lucy Esposito scored three goals, with junior Claire Flannagan added two goals and junior Maggie Scott scored one. Senior Audrey Papay also is back from last year’s team, and Bellflower said she played “a really good game.”
Carmel was led by seniors Jacqueline Mabry and Ellie Espey; both scored two goals. Senior Mallory Wingenroth had one goal, as did junior Gia Ferrettie.
