Usually in a high school athletic story Pickerington North is citing Pickerington Central as one of their top competitors.

But for the Pickerington North girls lacrosse team, Central players serve as teammates instead of competition.

The lacrosse team, in its first year, is comprised of 19 players from North and 5 players from Central.

According to coach Megan Levins, the rival schools have adjusted well as teammates.

"It's a good thing," she said. "I wish more girls from both schools would come out."

The team is young in both years and players. Most of the players are freshmen and sophomores.

With three games left in the season, the team has a 3-8 record.

But Levins says don't let the record fool you.

"We've had some close games," she explained. "Some we should have won. The record doesn't show how much these girls have improved this season."

Instrumental in that improvement has been the team's captains, Cail Stemm and Hannah Walters.

Walters, a junior, has caught on very fast.

"She wants to win and brings that mindset to the rest of the team" said Levins.

Steem, also a junior, is described by her coach as "very tenacious. She's the attacker."

Other notable team members include freshmen Abbey Paulus and Korri Titus.

Paulus, who was injured for part of the season, is a tremendous athlete.

Levins says Titus is a "ball of energy. She's very fast and will go through people if she needs to."

Levins is also proud of goalie Adrienne Hennerfeind.

Hennerfeind has played as the only goalie, since a team member's injury. She had 16 saves in a recent game and has been doing "phenomenal".

According to Levins, the biggest problem facing the team is a lack of confidence.

"They don't have confidence in one another," the coach said.

Levins cites a recent match up against Olentangy, where the team was one goal away from the lead.

"It's about playing together as a team and having faith in themselves" said Levins.

The team should have that faith since they have improved tremendously since the season started.

"The team I first saw was very different from the team today," Levins explained. "We had to start from the basics.

"Now in a game I see them passing tremendously, these are not the same girls from a few months ago."
The Pickerington team will try to improve its record with their final three games at home against Westerville North May 4th, Olentangy Orange the 6th and Big Walnut May 7th.