BEAR RIVER HIGH - By Tate Atkin, Headliner Sports Editor, May 30, 2022.
The Bear River High girls' lacrosse team put together a perfect regular season as they went undefeated and secured the Region 11 championship as well as the number one seed in the 4A girls' lacrosse state tournament.
As the number one seed in 4A, the first round of the 4A state tournament meant a bye for the Lady Bears as they awaited to take on the winner of the Logan High versus Judge Memorial High game to see who they would host in the quarterfinals game at Bear Field on May 21. Judge Memorial advanced on in the tournament and defeated Logan but they forfeited their next match against Bear River which automatically sent the Bears into the 4A state semifinals.
With the Bears not playing in the quarterfinal round, they entered their semifinal game against Sky View High coming off a two-round bye and not having played a game in 10 days. Ironically, their last game of the Region 11 season on May 13, was against the Bobcats from Sky View High where the Bears also happened to clinch their undefeated season.
The rest and anticipation served the Bears well as they took on the Bobcats at Judge Memorial High School in Salt Lake City on May 24. The Bears came out ready to play scoring 11 goals in the first half while shutting out the Bobcats. Bear River added to their lead in the second half by scoring another five goals while only giving up only two goals on the night.
Junior Marley Kierstead scored five goals and scooped up three ground balls. Junior Jenna LaCroix pitched in three goals and assisted on three more goals, while also getting eight ground balls. Bently Lorimer, also a junior, led the Bears in ground balls with nine. The final score of 16-2 had the Bears advancing to the state championship game and a shot at the title.
After a dominating performance in the semifinal game, the Bears where just one win away from a perfect undefeated season and the coveted 4A state championship. Juan Diego High was the final challenge for them as they squared off on the lacrosse field on Thursday, May 26, at Zion Bank Stadium in Salt Lake City.
As expected of a state championship matchup, the Soaring Eagle from Juan Diego High proved to be the toughest test for the Bear River girls' lacrosse team this season.
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Lorimer got things going offensively with the first goal for Bear River before netting another later in the game. Leading the scoring for the Bears was LaCroix with four goals and Lorimer who scored three. The remaining goals came from senior Sydney Wilkinson, senior Gracee Butler and sophomore Makenzie Mickelsen, each finding the net once during the game.
It wasn't the blowout win the Bears were accustomed to this season but with enough scoring and a fantastic defensive effort, they were victorious with a final score of 12-8.
"Finishing an undefeated perfect season is what I would say is the holy grail for any sport. It feels surreal to me. I still can't believe it happened. It is a true testament to the girl's putting in the hard work to get it done. They deserve all the credit," said Jeremy Webb, Bear River High's girls' lacrosse coach.
This state championship is a historic one for Bear River and the state of Utah. It is the first state championship for the Bear River girls' lacrosse team and is the first ever Utah High School Activities Association's 4A state championship in Utah for girls' lacrosse. Lacrosse (both boys' and girls') became a UHSAA sanctioned sport in Utah at the start of the 2019-20 school year.
"These girls are apart of history, their names will be in the halls of Bear River High School for ever for future Lady Bears to see," Webb added.
After plenty of celebration, the 2022 4A state girls' lacrosse champions from Bear River High headed back home where eager friends and fans awaited them lining Main Street and 300 E. in Tremonton. As the tradition continued for state champions, the Tremonton and Garland Fire Departments, along with local law enforcement, escorted the bus of newly minted state champs down Main Street in Tremonton before turning on 300 E. towards Bear River High. Lights, sirens and all.
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Bear River High girls' lacrosse, 4A state finals - May 26, 2022
Photos by John Fronk
Bear River High girls' lacrosse, 4A state finals - May 26, 2022
Photos by John Hurley
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